3 Unique Guitar Tuning Methods of Famous Guitarists!

I bet you haven’t heard of these three unique guitar tuning methods used by some of the most famous guitarists! Sure, as a guitarist, you’d know how to tune a guitar. However, we’re talking about the moments when Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai and Eric Johnson unlocked their guitars’ full potential.

In today’s world, digital tuners have made things so convenient that many guitarists. They tune up without truly understanding why they need to tighten or loosen a string. It’s like how Singaporeans are losing their dialects, then their mother tongues—guitarists are losing their ability to hear the notes properly! If you’re interested in sharpening your ear, check out our ear training guide.

But today, we’re diving into the crazy and brilliant tuning methods these guitar legends used to their advantage!

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Learning about these unique guitar tuning methods is a great way to deepen your understanding of these famous guitarists. However, having a teacher to guide you through them and explain the nuances makes all the difference!

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Eddie Van Halen talks about his guitar tuning methods with the B string!

However, Eddie has a special way to tune the B string on his guitar. He famously tuned his B string slightly flatter so that it would sound more in tune when he plays certain harmonies. For example, in the song “Running with the devil”, the B string would hit a major 3rd note and cause a dissonant tone against the root note. The dissonant tone prompted Eddie to go against the rule and tune his B string slightly flatter so that it fits better with the root note. Here’s what Eddie said.

It’s hard to get in tune perfectly. Any guitar. A guitar is just theoretically built wrong. Each string is an interval of fourths, and then the B string is off. Theoretically, that’s not right. If you tune an open E chord in the first position and it’s perfectly in tune, and then you hit a barre chord an octave higher, it’s out of tune. The B string is always a m*** to keep in tune all the time! So I have to retune for certain songs.

Read the transcript of the 1979 Guitar Player interview here. The devil is in the details!

Steve Vai has wonky guitar frets!

There’s no doubt that Steve Vai is a legendary guitarist with an exceptional ear for detail. If you’ve noticed the unusual frets in the cover image of the YouTube video above, you might be wondering—why do they look so wonky? This is due to a specialized fret system called True Temperament, whose slogan is fittingly, “There are no straight lines in nature!” These wavy frets are designed to improve intonation, helping chords and notes stay in tune more accurately across the fretboard. The guitar has long been known for its tuning compromises—typically, you can get an A chord or a D chord perfectly in tune, but not both at the same time! Makes you wonder how AC/DC pulls it off.

Eric Clapton adopted his tuning method from Piano tuners!

Eric Johnson once shared his unique approach to guitar tuning, and it’s quite different from the usual method most guitarists use. Typically, we tune from the low E to the high E string or vice versa, simply adjusting one string relative to another—nothing too complicated. However, this isn’t how piano tuners approach their craft. Instead, they start in the middle of the piano and work their way outward. Johnson adopted this technique for guitar tuning, explaining how it helps achieve better overall intonation.

If you’re unaware, adjusting one string affects the tension of the others. Think of the guitar neck as a bow under constant tension from all six strings. This is why breaking just one string can throw your entire guitar completely out of tune. Johnson’s method takes this into account, aiming for a more balanced and stable tuning.

Alternative tuning

So far, we are only talking about guitarists who use the standard E tuning. This means, EADGBE from the 6th to the 1st string. The standard E tuning came about after guitarists from a long time ago derived that this is the best idea to tune the guitar. It keeps chord shapes and scales easy to play and visualize. Since it was the most popular tuning, it became the standard tuning over time. However, there are more alternative ways to tune the guitar! Here is a list of tunings you can explore on your guitar.

• Half-Step Down (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb) – Used by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Guns N’ Roses for a slightly darker tone.

• Drop D (DADGBE) – Low E string is tuned down to D, making power chords easier to play.

• Double Drop D (DADGBD) – Both E strings are dropped to D, used by Neil Young in songs like Cinnamon Girl.

• DADGAD – Popular in Celtic and folk music, providing a droning, open sound.

• Open G (DGDGBD) – Used by blues and slide guitarists, including Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones.

• Open D (DADF#AD) – Great for slide guitar and blues, used by artists like Robert Johnson.

• Open C (CGCGCE) – Used by Devin Townsend and John Butler for a rich, open sound.

• Open E (EBEG#BE) – A bright, resonant tuning used by slide guitarists like Duane Allman and Derek Trucks.

• Nashville Tuning (EADGBE but with high-octave strings on the lower four strings) – Creates a 12-string-like shimmer using just a 6-string guitar.

• All Fourths Tuning (EADGCF) – Every string is tuned in fourths, making scales and chords more uniform across the fretboard.

What if I want more?

Why stop at six strings? Why not explore 7, 8, or even 9-string guitars? A quick internet search will reveal some truly wild creations, like a 21-string guitar or a 69-string bass! While adding more strings expands musical possibilities, the thickness of the strings also plays a crucial role.

Take Yngwie Malmsteen, for example—he famously uses ultra-thin 0.08 gauge strings, which allow for effortless vibrato and a lighter touch. However, thinner strings also affect intonation. Some guitarists even experiment with hybrid string gauges, using thinner strings for higher-pitched notes and thicker ones for the lower register.

Who knows? Maybe this article will spark some inspiration for you to experiment and create something entirely new!

Conclusion

Tuning a guitar is more than just matching pitches—it’s about understanding the subtle interactions between strings, tension, and intonation. Small adjustments, like compensating for string tension or fine-tuning certain notes, can make a huge difference in how your guitar sounds and feels to play. Legendary guitarists have proven that attention to these details can unlock new sonic possibilities. So next time you tune up, take a moment to really listen and experiment—you might discover a method that transforms your playing!

If you are keen to learn more about guitar tuning through proper guitar lessons, consider taking a Trial Lesson with us! I am sure with our decade-long experience, we will be of valuable help to you. Contact us through these easy channels! 🙂