Dobro tuner online
This dobro preset uses G2–B2–D3–G3–B3–D4, from the lowest string to the highest. The open strings form a G major chord, with G2 at the bottom.
String notes and frequencies
dobro tuning, OPEN G (6 strings): G2 B2 D3 G3 B3 D4, from 98.00 Hz to 293.66 Hz, with A4 = 440 Hz.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| String 6 | G2 | 98.00 |
| String 5 | B2 | 123.47 |
| String 4 | D3 | 146.83 |
| String 3 | G3 | 196.00 |
| String 2 | B3 | 246.94 |
| String 1 | D4 | 293.66 |
How to use it
- Check the instrument and tuning in the list.
- Set A440 or the reference agreed by your ensemble.
- Allow the microphone and pick one open string in a quiet space.
- Make small adjustments and read the steady part of the sound.
- Check every string again, then compare octave or unison partners.
Help and explanations
The setup is intended for the six-string resonator commonly played with a steel in bluegrass. A round-neck resonator played like an ordinary guitar may have a different tuning and string set. Confirm the instrument and its strings before adopting the preset.
Tune without the bar, then listen to the open chord
Rest the steel away from the strings and pick each open string separately. Fingerpicks can make the attack much louder than the sustained note; wait for that attack to settle before adjusting the peg. Mute neighbouring strings so their sympathetic ringing does not compete with the one being measured. Check both the note letter and octave: the two G strings are G2 and G3, not a unison pair.
After all six strings match, play the open G chord gently and make another pass. Changes in tension can disturb strings you already checked. The tuner supplies a consistent reference; the sound of a chord under the bar still depends on bar position and technique. If a round-neck instrument currently has standard guitar strings, do not force a square-neck setup without checking the maker’s guidance.
Tips
- Locate the correct machine head before moving it, especially for the two G strings.
- Keep the bar off the strings while checking the open-string reference.
- Retune after a string change before judging your bar intonation.
Frequently asked questions
What is standard dobro tuning?
For this six-string bluegrass setup it is G2 B2 D3 G3 B3 D4. Resonator guitars used in other styles may use different tunings.
Is dobro open G the same as guitar open G?
Not necessarily. This preset starts G B D G B D; a common guitar open-G arrangement starts D G D G B D.
Can I tune a round-neck resonator to this setup?
Check its recommended tuning and string gauges first. A square-neck string setup may not suit a round-neck instrument.
Why does the tuner show G3 on my lowest string?
It may be hearing an overtone of G2. Confirm the octave instead of tightening the string to the higher note.
Should the steel touch the strings while tuning?
No: tune the open strings first. Use the bar afterwards to check playing intonation.