Bass tuning

Drop B (B-F#-B-E)

Drop B leaves the bass at B-F#-B-E, a very low tuning sitting a tone and a half below standard with the lowest string dropped. It borders five-string territory, on four strings.

The tuner opens already preconfigured; you only need to allow microphone access.

Strings and frequencies

How it sounds

This is extreme low-end territory: deep, heavy and punchy. It is mostly used to back seven-string guitars or very low tunings in modern metal.

Styles and genres

Recommended string gauges

Very heavy gauges are essential: think 0.060-0.120 or heavier. With normal strings the tension would be too low for the low end to sound defined.

Tuning tip

This low, clarity depends as much on the string as on technique: play near the bridge with a firm attack so the notes do not turn into a diffuse rumble.