Lap steel tuner online
The six-string C6 lap steel preset is C3–E3–G3–A3–C4–E4, ordered low to high. The A adds the sixth to the open C major sound.
String notes and frequencies
lap steel tuning, C6 (6 strings): C3 E3 G3 A3 C4 E4, from 130.81 Hz to 329.63 Hz, with A4 = 440 Hz.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| String 6 | C3 | 130.81 |
| String 5 | E3 | 164.81 |
| String 4 | G3 | 196.00 |
| String 3 | A3 | 220.00 |
| String 2 | C4 | 261.63 |
| String 1 | E4 | 329.63 |
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
C6 is associated with Hawaiian steel and western swing. The menu also offers open D and open E, which produce different chord layouts under a straight bar. Choose the intended tuning before matching any string; changing the label does not retune the instrument.
Keep open-string tuning separate from bar intonation
Lift the bar clear and pluck one string at a time. In C6, distinguish the low C3 from C4 and the low E3 from E4: a repeated letter does not mean equal pitch. Let the initial pick noise fade and adjust against the sustained reading. A second pass is useful because moving one string’s tension can alter the balance across the instrument.
When changing from C6 to another tuning, check that the string gauges suit the new target pitches. Some strings move substantially, so do not chase a target octave by tightening a clearly unsuitable string. Once the open strings are set, bar placement, pressure and slants become a separate playing problem. This page is a non-pedal six-string reference, not a chart for pedal changes or a compensated pedal-steel copedent.
Tips
- Read the selected tuning before checking repeated C or E note names.
- Start the measurement with the bar lifted, even if it is lying near the nut.
- Save pedal and lever adjustments for a pedal-steel-specific method.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tune a six-string lap steel to C6?
Tune low to high to C3 E3 G3 A3 C4 E4. These targets form the C6 layout supplied here.
What does the 6 in C6 mean?
It refers to the sixth of the C chord, A. It is a chord name, not an octave number for every string.
Can I select open D or open E?
Yes, both are available in the tuning menu. Check your strings are suitable before increasing their target pitches.
Is this suitable for pedal steel?
It can read individual pitches, but this preset does not specify pedal or lever changes. Use your instrument’s copedent for that setup.
Why do notes played with the bar sound sharp after tuning?
A lap steel is played with a bar, whose position and pressure affect pitch. Check bar technique separately from open-string tuning.