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Nashville Tuning (High-Strung) Guitar Tuner

Nashville Tuning (High-Strung)
±0
E
Target: 164.8 Hz
-50WAITING+50
Waiting for sound
E165
A220
D294
G392
B247
E330

How to Tune to Nashville Tuning (High-Strung)

A brilliant studio trick where the lower four strings are replaced with much lighter strings tuned one octave higher than normal. The result is a guitar that sounds like the upper octave strings of a 12-string guitar — bright, shimmering, and jangly. Nashville tuning is a studio secret weapon used on countless hit recordings to add sparkle and width to acoustic guitar parts.

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 4 of 6 strings:

StringStandardTargetWhat to do
String 6E2E3Tune up 12 semitones
String 5A2A3Tune up 12 semitones
String 4D3D4Tune up 12 semitones
String 3G3G4Tune up 12 semitones
String 2B3B3Leave as is
String 1E4E4Leave as is
Printable Nashville Tuning (High-Strung) chart (PNG / PDF)
Fun Fact

Nashville tuning gets its name from the Nashville recording studios where it was frequently used as a production trick. Session guitarists would layer a Nashville-tuned acoustic under a standard-tuned acoustic to create a rich, 12-string-like effect without the tuning instability of an actual 12-string guitar. This technique is all over classic country, pop, and rock recordings.

String Tension & Setup Tips

Recommended Gauge:You CANNOT use regular strings — you need a dedicated Nashville tuning string set or individual strings. The bottom four strings use the octave strings from a 12-string set (typically .010, .014, .009, .012 for strings 6-3). The top two strings (B and E) use standard gauges since they stay at normal pitch.

Gear for Nashville Tuning (High-Strung)

Tools that make tuning to E - A - D - G - B - E (High) 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.

View tuner

D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)

Retuning 4 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

View winder

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Nashville Tuning (High-Strung)Intermediate
E - A - D - G - B - E (High)No Capo
Song Details
Nashville Tuning (High-Strung)Intermediate
E - A - D - G - B - E (High)No Capo
Song Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular strings?
No. The bottom four strings must be replaced with much lighter strings — typically the octave strings from a 12-string set. If you try to tune standard strings up an octave, they will snap immediately. Buy a dedicated Nashville tuning set (D'Addario EJ38H is popular) or source individual strings: roughly .010, .014, .009, .012 for strings 6 through 3.
What tuning is Hey You by Pink Floyd in?
The acoustic guitar intro to "Hey You" by Pink Floyd uses Nashville tuning. David Gilmour layered the Nashville-tuned acoustic with a standard-tuned guitar to create the song's distinctive shimmering, wide sound. The technique is subtle but essential to the song's character — you'd notice something was missing without it.
How do I string a guitar for Nashville tuning?
Buy a Nashville tuning set or a 12-string set and use only the octave strings for positions 6-3. String 6 (low E position): use a .010 plain steel tuned to E3. String 5 (A position): use a .014 plain steel tuned to A3. String 4 (D position): use a .009 plain steel tuned to D4. String 3 (G position): use a .012 plain steel tuned to G4. Strings 2 and 1: standard B and E strings.
Is Wild Horses in Nashville tuning?
The Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses" features a Nashville-tuned acoustic guitar layered with a standard-tuned guitar, creating the song's iconic jangly, wide sound. Keith Richards and Mick Taylor used this studio technique to add depth and shimmer to the acoustic arrangement without needing a 12-string guitar.