B standard tuning (B E A D F♯ B)
Doom, death metal and baritone players; anyone who wants 7-string range without the seventh string.
B standard tunes all six strings a perfect fourth below standard: B E A D F♯ B. It is the same set of notes as the bottom six strings of a 7-string guitar, so a 6-string in B standard plays exactly what a 7-string plays when it ignores its high E.
On a regular-scale guitar this needs heavy strings or, better, a baritone. The payoff is a huge, dark range with all the familiar shapes intact.
Notes and frequencies
From the thickest string to the thinnest, at concert pitch (A4 = 440 Hz). Changed strings are highlighted.
| String | Note | Frequency (A4 = 440 Hz) | Change from standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | B1 | 61.74 Hz | −5 semitones from E2 |
| 5 | E2 | 82.41 Hz | −5 semitones from A2 |
| 4 | A2 | 110.00 Hz | −5 semitones from D3 |
| 3 | D3 | 146.83 Hz | −5 semitones from G3 |
| 2 | F♯3 | 185.00 Hz | −5 semitones from B3 |
| 1 | B3 | 246.94 Hz | −5 semitones from E4 |
From standard tuning
- String 6: lower E2 down five semitones to B1.
- String 5: lower A2 down five semitones to E2.
- String 4: lower D3 down five semitones to A2.
- String 3: lower G3 down five semitones to D3.
- String 2: lower B3 down five semitones to F♯3.
- String 1: lower E4 down five semitones to B3.
Tuning to B standard in TuneGlass
- The app opens in 6-string guitar mode; if you changed the instrument, switch back in Settings.
- Tap any string circle to open the tuning editor and choose B standard from the presets. Presets beyond the thickest string are part of TuneGlass Pro, a one-time purchase.
- Play one string at a time. The needle turns green and the scale fills when the string is in tune. Hold a string circle to hear its reference note.
Tips
- Use a baritone set (13–62 or thereabouts) on a 25.5-inch scale, or a 27-inch baritone guitar with 12s. Standard light strings will not reach B at a playable tension.
- Intonation will need a reset after the string change: check the 12th-fret note against the open string on the tuner.
Questions
What is B standard tuning?
B E A D F♯ B: every string a perfect fourth (five semitones) below standard E A D G B E.
B standard or a 7-string?
A 7-string gives you the same low B plus the normal high E. B standard on a 6-string trades the high E for the low range and keeps a familiar six-string neck.
Related tunings
English