Guitar tuning

Double Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-D)

Double Drop D lowers both the sixth and first strings to D, giving D-A-D-G-B-D. You get a low D and a high D open, so many shapes end up framed by drones at both ends.

🎸 Open the tuner in this tuning

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

Strings and frequencies

String	Note	Hz
String 1	D4	293.66 Hz
String 2	B3	246.94 Hz
String 3	G3	196.00 Hz
String 4	D3	146.83 Hz
String 5	A2	110.00 Hz
String 6	D2	73.42 Hz

How it sounds

It combines the punchy low end of Drop D with an open high D ringing over the melody. It is much loved in folk-rock and in the Neil Young style for that full, drone-rich sound.

Styles and genres

Folk rock Rock Folk Country

Example songs

Cinnamon Girl — Neil Young
The Loner — Neil Young

Recommended string gauges

A standard set works fine; only the sixth feels a touch loose dropped to D. If you play heavy low riffs, an 0.011-0.049 adds firmness without dulling the first string.

Tuning tip

Try playing a D major or mixolydian scale while letting both open D strings ring: almost any note fits over those drones, which makes it very rewarding to improvise on.