Drop B Tuner for 6-String Guitar
Drop B takes C♯ standard, with every string three semitones down, and lowers the 6th string one more whole step to B: B F♯ B E G♯ C♯ (B1 up to C♯4). The three low strings make a power chord under one finger, the same shape as drop D but three semitones lower. This drop B tuner is our guitar tuner with Drop B selected, so every target note is already set.
String notes and frequencies
Guitar tuning, drop B (6 strings): B1 F♯2 B2 E3 G♯3 C♯4, from 61.74 Hz to 277.18 Hz, with A4 = 440 Hz.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| String 6 | B1 | 61.74 |
| String 5 | F♯2 | 92.50 |
| String 4 | B2 | 123.47 |
| String 3 | E3 | 164.81 |
| String 2 | G♯3 | 207.65 |
| String 1 | C♯4 | 277.18 |
How to use it
- Tap Turn on microphone and check that the Tuning menu shows Drop B.
- Start with the 6th string and lower it from E to B, five semitones. Pick it lightly and let it ring before reading.
- Lower the 5th to F♯, the 4th to B, the 3rd to E, the 2nd to G♯ and the 1st to C♯: three semitones each.
- Go back to the 6th string and repeat the round: with this much tension gone, the neck moves and the first strings you tuned drift.
- If the reading jumps between the two B strings, tap the button of the string you are tuning to lock the target.
Help and explanations
It is one of the classic tunings of heavy metal, metalcore and nu-metal on a 6-string guitar; Slipknot, for one, plays much of its catalog in drop B. Coming from standard, the 6th string drops five semitones and the others three each, so plan on heavier strings and a couple of tuning passes.
From standard, drop D or drop C to drop B
From standard tuning, the 6th string goes from E2 down to B1 (61.74 Hz) and the other five go down three semitones: A2 to F♯2 (92.50 Hz), D3 to B2 (123.47 Hz), G3 to E3 (164.81 Hz), B3 to G♯3 (207.65 Hz) and E4 to C♯4 (277.18 Hz). From drop D, lower every string three semitones; from drop C, lower every string one semitone.
To check by ear: the 6th string at the 7th fret gives F♯, the open 5th, and its 12th-fret harmonic matches the open 4th. Above that, the usual rule holds: the 5th fret of the 5th, 4th and 2nd strings and the 4th fret of the 3rd string match the next open string.
Strings and setup for drop B
Standard 9s or 10s are far too slack at B. Most players use a heavy set such as 12–56, 12–60 or 13–62, or a set made for drop tunings with a much heavier 6th string. After changing gauges, have the nut slots, intonation and truss rod checked.
Players who live in drop B often move to a baritone guitar, whose longer scale keeps the low strings tight, or to a 7-string guitar, which has the same low B with standard tuning above it.
Tips
- Coming from drop C? Lower every string one semitone and you are in drop B.
- Palm-mute and pick the low B lightly: a slack string goes sharp on a hard attack and the reading jumps.
- Tell your bassist: the low B of a 5-string bass is one octave below your 6th string, so a 5-string covers drop B without retuning.
- To go back to standard, choose Standard in the menu and tune up in two or three passes, alternating strings so the neck takes the tension evenly.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of drop B?
B F♯ B E G♯ C♯, from the 6th string to the 1st: B1 (61.74 Hz), F♯2 (92.50 Hz), B2 (123.47 Hz), E3 (164.81 Hz), G♯3 (207.65 Hz) and C♯4 (277.18 Hz), with A4 = 440 Hz.
What is the difference between drop B and B standard?
B standard lowers all six strings a perfect fourth, B E A D F♯ B, and keeps the normal intervals. Drop B keeps the top five strings in C♯ standard and drops only the 6th a whole step further, to B.
Can I play drop B on a normal 6-string guitar?
Yes, with heavier strings; with standard 9s or 10s the low strings flap and buzz. After the change, check the intonation and the neck relief, or ask a guitar tech.
Is drop B the same as a 7-string guitar's low B?
The lowest note is the same B1, but a 7-string keeps standard tuning above it (B E A D G B E), so chord shapes stay normal. In drop B on six strings, everything above the B sits in C♯ standard.
Why does my low B sound out of tune when the tuner says it is in tune?
A slack string goes sharp on the attack and can hit the frets. Pick softer, let the note settle before reading and consider a heavier 6th string; if fretted notes are sharp, the intonation needs adjusting.
Can I tune to drop A♯ or drop A here?
Use the chromatic tuner: it reads any note, so you can tune A♯ F A♯ D♯ G C or A E A D F♯ B string by string.