Pedal steel tuner online (E9)
This pedal steel tuner comes set to the standard E9 tuning used on most 10-string pedal steel guitars, from the 1st string (nearest to you, highest) to the 10th: F♯4 D♯4 G♯4 E4 B3 G♯3 F♯3 E3 D3 B2.
String notes and frequencies
Pedal steel tuning, E9 (10 strings): B2 D3 E3 F♯3 G♯3 B3 E4 G♯4 D♯4 F♯4, from 123.47 Hz to 415.30 Hz, with A4 = 440 Hz.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| String 10 | B2 | 123.47 |
| String 9 | D3 | 146.83 |
| String 8 | E3 | 164.81 |
| String 7 | F♯3 | 185.00 |
| String 6 | G♯3 | 207.65 |
| String 5 | B3 | 246.94 |
| String 4 | E4 | 329.63 |
| String 3 | G♯4 | 415.30 |
| String 2 | D♯4 | 311.13 |
| String 1 | F♯4 | 369.99 |
How to use it
- Press Turn on microphone and allow access.
- Pick one open string with the bar off the strings. Auto recognizes which string you played; a string button fixes the target and Play sounds it.
- Needle left (flat: tighten), needle right (sharp: loosen). When it is centered the string is marked with ✓.
- Once all 10 open strings are set, press each pedal and lever and tune the raised or lowered notes with the chromatic tuner.
Help and explanations
Tune the open strings first with all pedals and levers released. Then engage each pedal or lever and set the changed strings with their tuning nuts on the changer.
Pedals on a standard E9 setup
On the most common setup, pedal A raises strings 5 and 10 from B to C♯, pedal B raises strings 3 and 6 from G♯ to A, and pedal C raises strings 4 and 5 from E to F♯ and B to C♯. Knee-lever layouts vary much more between players, so tune them by ear and with the chromatic tuner following your own copedent.
Just intonation offsets
Many steel players tune some strings slightly away from equal temperament, for example the G♯ strings a little flat, so the major chords sound sweeter. The cents reading lets you set your own offsets consistently every time.
Tips
- Tune with the guitar warmed up and in the room where you will play: steel strings and the cabinet move with temperature.
- Retune the open strings after setting the pedals: pulling a changer can pull the open note slightly.
- Pick lightly near the pickup and let the note sustain before reading.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of E9 pedal steel tuning?
From string 1 to 10: F♯ D♯ G♯ E B G♯ F♯ E D B (F♯4 D♯4 G♯4 E4 B3 G♯3 F♯3 E3 D3 B2).
How do I tune the pedals?
Tune the open strings first, then hold the pedal down and adjust the tuning nut of each changed string until it reads the target note.
Does it work for C6 or lap steel tunings?
This page is set for E9. For other tunings use the chromatic tuner, or the lap steel tuner for 6-string lap steels.
Is there a pedal steel tuner app?
You do not need one: the tuner works in your browser with the microphone, or with the guitar plugged into an audio interface.