How to tune electric guitar with tuner, step by step

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains affiliate links.

To tune electric guitar with tuner, attach a clip-on tuner to the headstock or open a tuner app, then bring each string to its target pitch, starting with the low E. Standard tuning runs E-A-D-G-B-E from lowest to highest. Tune each string up from below its pitch, then recheck the whole guitar, because adjusting one string shifts the others.

How we researched

We read two tuning guides, looked at one free online tuner page, and reviewed eight clip-on and pedal tuner listings on Amazon, comparing their listed ratings, review counts and price tiers. This guide compares products using manufacturer specifications, current Amazon listings and owner reviews; we did not test them hands-on.

What you need

You need a guitar with strings, a tuner (clip-on, pedal or app) and about ten minutes. No special skill is required beyond turning pegs slowly. The target notes are the same on an electric guitar as on an acoustic, so the steps below work for both. Most tuners use A4 = 440 Hz as the reference pitch, as the Guitar Tricks online tuner does.

Step-by-step tuning

Step 1: Set the tuner to standard tuning

Start from standard tuning, which is what most guitarists use. D'Addario's tuning guide lists the six notes from lowest to highest as E, A, D, G, B and E. What usually goes wrong here: the guitar was left in an alternate tuning such as drop D by the last player, so every string looks wrong even when it is set correctly.

Step 2: Tune the low E string first

Pluck the thickest string and turn its tuning peg until the tuner shows E. Turn slowly. Fast turns overshoot the pitch, and then you have to back off, which makes the string harder to hold steady.

Step 3: Bring each string up to pitch from below

D'Addario advises tuning slowly and bringing each note up to pitch from below. If you go past the note, ease the peg back down a little and come up again. A string that sits above its pitch and then slips down often sounds fine for a moment and then goes flat during playing.

Step 4: Work through the A, D, G, B and high E strings

Move across the strings in order: fifth (A), fourth (D), third (G), second (B) and first (high E). Guitar Tricks offers a memory aid for the standard notes, 'Eddie Ate Dynamite, Good Bye Eddie', which spells E-A-D-G-B-E. Use the tuner for each string, not your ear alone, at least until your ear is trained.

Step 5: Recheck the whole guitar and play a few chords

Tightening one string changes tension on the others, so check the low E again after you finish the high E. Strum a few open chords and listen for clashing notes. If new strings are on, expect to retune several times, because they stretch and settle.

Common mistakes

• Tuning only once and assuming the guitar will hold. Guitar Tricks advises tuning every time you pick the guitar up.
• Ignoring temperature. Guitar Tricks notes that winter and big temperature swings can pull a guitar badly out of tune.
• Forgetting the tuner's reference. If the tuner is set to a different reference pitch, every string will sound wrong together.
• Leaving a long tail of string after trimming. Guitar Tricks suggests leaving a little length in case the string slips.

Which tuner fits your situation

You do not need a tuner that costs much to get accurate results, but you do need one you will actually use. The table below uses only the names and Amazon data from the listings.

Choose a clip-on if you want the display right on the headstock while you turn the pegs. Choose a rechargeable clip-on if you prefer not to replace batteries, as the D'Addario Nexxus 360 Rechargeable Clip-On Guitar Tuner signals in its name. Choose a pedal if you tune between songs on a pedalboard. For a general-purpose clip-on from a well-reviewed line, the Fender FCT-2 Professional Multi-Instrument Clip-On Tuner has a large rating count.

Ratings and review counts tell different stories. The Nexxus 360 has the highest rating in the table, but far fewer reviews than the Fender and D'Addario Eclipse. A high rating from 2300 reviewers is a weaker signal than 4.5 stars from 16000, so weigh the count, not just the stars.

FAQ

Can I tune an electric guitar with a clip-on tuner?

Yes. A clip-on tuner senses vibration through the headstock, so it works on an unplugged electric guitar. Clip it on, pluck one string at a time and match the note shown on the display.

Is tuning an electric guitar different from tuning an acoustic?

The steps and target notes are the same. The main difference is that an electric guitar is often played through an amp, so you may notice small pitch changes once you plug in and change tone.

How often should I tune?

Guitar Tricks recommends tuning every time you pick up the guitar. Check again after temperature changes or after a string change.

Conclusion

For your next session, tune the low E first, bring each string up from below, and recheck the full set before you play. Pick the tuner style that matches how you practice, and buy from the listing whose reviews you trust.

Sources

• How to Tune a Guitar | D'Addario
• Online Guitar Tuner | Guitar Tricks