8-string guitar tuner online
Standard eight-string guitar tuning is F♯1 B1 E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4, eighth string to first. It adds low F♯ and B below the familiar six-string layout. At A440 the lowest target is F♯1, about 46.25 Hz.
Open-string notes and frequencies
8-string guitar tuner: default open-string targets, lowest to highest. A4=440 Hz.
| String / course | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | F♯1 | 46.25 |
| 7 | B1 | 61.74 |
| 6 | E2 | 82.41 |
| 5 | A2 | 110.00 |
| 4 | D3 | 146.83 |
| 3 | G3 | 196.00 |
| 2 | B3 | 246.94 |
| 1 | E4 | 329.63 |
How to use it
- Choose F♯ standard, drop E or F standard before touching the pegs.
- Turn off distortion, pitch shifting and chorus; allow the microphone.
- Mute the other seven strings and pick the eighth with a moderate attack.
- Let the low note settle, then match the displayed note and octave.
- Continue toward the first string and check all eight again.
Help and explanations
Drop E lowers the eighth string to E1 while retaining B1 E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4. F standard lowers every F♯-standard string a semitone: F1 B♭1 E♭2 A♭2 D♭3 G♭3 B♭3 E♭4. That last layout is the published factory tuning for the Ibanez RG8, so check the model rather than assuming every eight-string ships in F♯.
Separate the lowest string from its overtones
The low F♯1 or E1 produces strong higher partials. An octave reading is not a reason to pull the string up twelve semitones: compare its sound with the reference and verify the register. Move the phone closer to the instrument or clean amplifier and stop any backing track. Tap the eighth-string target to focus the reading when neighbouring strings keep ringing.
Drop E changes only one string from F♯ standard; F standard changes all eight. Those names can be confused because both contain a low note near E or F, but their top seven notes differ. A preset does not account for a particular artist’s further changes, either. If your tablature uses another layout, use its exact pitches with the chromatic tuner. After a substantial change, check the instrument’s string tension and fretted intonation instead of relying solely on open notes.
Tips
- Do not tune the low eighth string to the high first-string E4.
- Read F standard as a complete half-step-down tuning.
- Use a clean amplifier tone when the unamplified low string is too quiet.
Frequently asked questions
What is standard eight-string guitar tuning?
F♯1 B1 E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4, eighth string to first. It extends standard seven-string tuning with low F♯.
How do I tune an eight-string to drop E?
Choose drop E: E1 B1 E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4. Only the eighth string changes from F♯ standard.
What tuning does an Ibanez RG8 use?
The published RG8 factory specification is F standard: F1 B♭1 E♭2 A♭2 D♭3 G♭3 B♭3 E♭4. Confirm your own guitar’s model and setup.
Can a phone hear the low F♯ string?
Try a quiet room and a clean amplified tone if needed. Mute other strings and let the attack settle; microphone response and room noise affect results.
Why does the tuner show the octave above my low note?
It may be following a stronger overtone. Check the reference sound and octave before adjusting, then reduce noise and isolate the string.
Does this preset cover every Meshuggah or Sleep Token tuning?
No. Artist and song tunings can differ. Match the exact notes in the arrangement rather than assuming one eight-string preset covers them.