How to Tune to DACGCE
DACGCE is a darker, more fluid cousin of the American Football (FACGCE) tuning. Dropping the bottom strings to a D-A-C foundation with a C on the second string gives brooding, jazzy midwest-emo voicings and easy movement between lush extended chords.
Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 3 of 6 strings:
| String | Standard | Target | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| String 6 | E2 | D2 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 5 | A2 | A2 | Leave as is |
| String 4 | D3 | C3 | Tune down a whole step |
| String 3 | G3 | G3 | Leave as is |
| String 2 | B3 | C4 | Tune up a half step |
| String 1 | E4 | E4 | Leave as is |
String Tension & Setup Tips
Recommended Gauge:The low E drops to D and the D to C, while the B tunes up to C. A balanced light set works; a slightly heavier low string keeps the D tight.
Gear for DACGCE
Tools that make tuning to D - A - C - G - C - E easier.
D'Addario Universal Micro Headstock Tuner
A headstock tuner makes switching in and out of this tuning quick, even on stage or without a mic.
D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)
Retuning 3 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tune to DACGCE?
From standard tuning (EADGBE), retune each string low to high: 6th E→D, 5th A (unchanged), 4th D→C, 3rd G (unchanged), 2nd B→C, 1st E (unchanged). Match each string to its exact Hz using the interactive tuner above.
How does DACGCE compare to FACGCE?
It keeps the same C-G-C-E top structure as the American Football tuning but lowers the bottom to D-A-C, giving a darker, more open low end and slightly more fluid chord shapes.