6-String Acoustic Guitar

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Tuning 6-String Acoustic Guitar
Peterson tuners are highly accurate, precise and simple to use, you can tune your guitar to perfection if you’ve ever used a tuner of any type before. Peterson counts many of the world’s top acoustic guitarists among its users, so you’ll be in good company!

The acoustic guitar is commonly tuned to EADGBE, but there are many other tunings. Many seasoned professional guitarists “tweak” their guitar’s tuning to improve its sound, we call this “Sweetened Tuning”.

If you are not familiar with this kind of tuning jargon, relax, because there is one tuner that does it all for you. Because of Peterson tuners unique “Sweetened Tuning” feature, each tuner has a host of tempered presets which you simply choose - the tuner then guides you automatically – just like using an ordinary tuner – but sweeter. Artists such as James Taylor uses a Peterson tuner with these special tweaks, they are now preset in all current Peterson Tuner models. Its easy! Using your Peterson strobe tuner, your acoustic guitar will sound much better than when tuned using an ordinary tuner.

Begin with the first string, it’s located nearest the ground when holding the guitar in normal playing position.

  1. Pluck to sound the 1st string and observe the tuner display, check that the note “E” is displayed. With your left hand, adjust the tuning peg to stop the strobe pattern image from moving contuously in any one direction, continue to adjust until the strobe pattern is motionless.
  2. Repeat the above for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th strings until all strings are tuned.
Checking Intonation
    In the case of acoustic guitar, much of the intonation is in the hands of the player, since most acoustic guitars have non-adjustable string saddles. However for those who need to, the saddle can be adjusted for individual strings by filing or adding material to the saddle itself in order to improve intonation*. First note the current state of intonation. Using your Peterson Strobe Tuner, check this as follows:
  1. Having tuned the strings correctly, pluck the 1st string while fretting it at the 12th fret.
  2. If the fretted tone shows sharp on your tuner, the saddle needs to be moved a slight distance further away from the end of the neck, if it shows flat, it needs to be moved a slight distance closer to the end of the neck.
  3. Repeat this procedure with the 2nd , 3rd , 4th ,5th & 6th string. Open and fretted tones need to be in tune in each case, if not, the saddle is out of adjustment.
  4. *NOTE: Changing the saddle by filing or adding bone & glue is a job best done by an experienced luthier or instrument technician, damage can occur if due care is not taken. If unsure, try installing a pre-cut compensated saddle while keeping the original.
= Standard Tuning
G4
= G in the 4th octave

6-String Acoustic Guitar

I Play This
Alternate Tunings
Open Tunings

E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4

Standard

G2 B2 D3 G3 B3 D4

Open G

E2 A2 B2 E3 A3 E4

A Modal

A2 C#3 E3 A3 C#2 E4

Open A

D#2 G#2 C#3 F#3 A#3 D#4

E Flat Tuning

D2 G2 D3 G3 B3 D4

Open G

D2 G2 D3 F#3 B3 D4

Wahine Tuning

C2 G2 C3 G3 C4 E4

Open C

D2 A2 D3 F#3 A3 D4

Open D Vestapol

E2 B2 E3 G#3 B3 E4

Open E

E2 A2 E3 A3 C4 E4

Crossnote A

E2 A2 C#3 E3 A3 E4

Open A

C#2 F#2 C#3 F#3 A#3 C#4

John Fahey

E2 A2 E3 G#3 B3 E4

Open E

D2 A2 D3 G3 A3 D4

DADGAD Celtic

B1 F#2 B2 F#3 B3 D#4

Open B

D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4

Dropped D

E2 A2 E3 A3 C4 E4

Open A Minor

D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 D4

Double Dropped D

F2 A2 C3 F3 C4 F4

Open F

D2 A2 D3 A3 D4 D4

Additional Father

D2 G2 D3 G3 C4 D4

G Modal/Sawmill

E3 A3 D4 G4 B3 E4

Nashville Tuning

D2 A2 D3 F3 A3 D4

Open D Minor Crossnote

C2 G2 D3 G3 C4 D4

Orkney Tuning

D2 G2 D3 G3 A#3 D4

Open G Minor Crossnote

6-String Acoustic Guitar

I Play This
Alternate Tunings

E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4

Standard

E2 A2 B2 E3 A3 E4

A Modal

D#2 G#2 C#3 F#3 A#3 D#4

E Flat Tuning

D2 G2 D3 F#3 B3 D4

Wahine Tuning

D2 A2 D3 F#3 A3 D4

Open D Vestapol

E2 A2 E3 A3 C4 E4

Crossnote A

C#2 F#2 C#3 F#3 A#3 C#4

John Fahey

D2 A2 D3 G3 A3 D4

DADGAD Celtic

D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4

Dropped D

D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 D4

Double Dropped D

D2 A2 D3 A3 D4 D4

Additional Father

E3 A3 D4 G4 B3 E4

Nashville Tuning

C2 G2 D3 G3 C4 D4

Orkney Tuning

Open Tunings

E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4

Standard

E2 A2 B2 E3 A3 E4

A Modal

D#2 G#2 C#3 F#3 A#3 D#4

E Flat Tuning

D2 G2 D3 F#3 B3 D4

Wahine Tuning

D2 A2 D3 F#3 A3 D4

Open D Vestapol

E2 A2 E3 A3 C4 E4

Crossnote A

C#2 F#2 C#3 F#3 A#3 C#4

John Fahey

D2 A2 D3 G3 A3 D4

DADGAD Celtic

D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4

Dropped D

D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 D4

Double Dropped D

D2 A2 D3 A3 D4 D4

Additional Father

E3 A3 D4 G4 B3 E4

Nashville Tuning

C2 G2 D3 G3 C4 D4

Orkney Tuning

Unlike other tuners which offer no alternative to generic Equal Temperament, Peterson Tuners contain many choices of “Sweetness“, in other words, several degrees of harmony or consonance in a tuning preset. The Sweetener feature is exclusive to Peterson Tuners and there is one for almost any musical instrument.
In the case of the Acoustic Guitar Sweetener (the presets is called ACU), these additional “tweaks” allow the instrument to shimmer and cut through as only an expertly tuned instrument can. Some call it “voicing” or optimizing the quality of tone produced by the instrument. Using a Sweetener is simple – your Peterson tuner does the work for you.

ACU
Designed for use with acoustic guitars tuned to standard EADGBE.
dAd
Peterson Sweetened tuning for acoustic guitar
GTn
Guided Tuning for 6 & 7 string guitars
FLA
Peterson Flamenco Por Arriba
FLM
Peterson Flamenco Por Medio
CLA
Peterson Classical Guitar Sweetener
ACG
Peterson Sweetened tuning - for Bluegrass Acoustic Guitar
BFA
Buzz Feiten Tuning System for acoustic guitar
BFC
Buzz Feiten Tuning System for classical nylon stringed guitar
CSS
C Sharp Standard/D Flat Standard Tuning
dS
D Standard - for 6, 7, 8 & 9-String Guitar
EFS
E Flat Standard Tuning - for 6, 7, 8 & 9-String Guitar
FS
F Standard Tuning for 6, 7, 8 & 9-String Guitar
FSS
F Sharp Standard Tuning - for 6, 7, 8 & 9-String Guitar
GS
G Standard Tuning - for 6, 7, 8 & 9-String Guitar
STD
E Standard Tuning - for 6, 7, 8 & 9-String Guitar
TRZ
Terz Guitar Tuning
dA
Drop A Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
db
Drop B Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
dBF
Drop B Flat Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
dC
Drop C Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
ddd
Double Drop D Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
dE
Drop E Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
DD
Drop D Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
dF
Drop F Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
dFS
Drop F Sharp Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
dG
Drop G Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
OPA
Open A Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
OPB
Open B Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
OPC
Open C Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
OPD
Open D Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
OPE
Open E Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
OPF
Open F Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
OPG
Open G Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
OAM
Open A Minor Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
OBM
Open B Minor Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
OCM
Open C Minor Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
ODM
Open D Minor Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
OEM
Open E Minor Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
OFM
Open F Minor Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
OGM
Open G Minor Tuning - for 6 String Guitar
 Strobe™ offers the unmatched accuracy of a mechanical strobe tuner for the highest degree of precision available in a software tuning application. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

Strobe™ (Android)

$9.99

Strobe™ offers the unmatched accuracy of a mechanical strobe tuner for the highest degree of precision available in a software tuning application. Use your mobile phone's internal microphone to quickly and easily tune with 1/10th cent accuracy.
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 The Peterson StroboClip HD™ (SC-HD) has the same tenth-of-a-cent accuracy as all Peterson Strobe Tuners. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboClip HDC

$79.99

The Peterson StroboClip HD™ (SC-HD) has the same tenth-of-a-cent accuracy as all Peterson Strobe Tuners. This versatile tuner comes complete with a bright high-definition screen, over 50 Sweetened™ tunings, alternate temperaments for a vast array of string and wind instruments, and soft rubber-lined jaws to protect your instrument's finish while offering a firm grip for maximum signal tracking.
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 For over 75 years, Peterson has been trusted by some of the biggest names on stage and in the studio as the standard in tuning precision. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboStomp Mini

$119.00

For over 75 years, Peterson has been trusted by some of the biggest names on stage and in the studio as the standard in tuning precision. The StroboStomp Mini™ delivers the unmatched 0.1 cent tuning accuracy of all authentic Peterson Strobe Tuners in a mini pedal tuner format. Featuring a high-definition LCD strobe display with variable LED color backlight, your instruments will never sound more in tune. A pop-less true bypass mode and a buffered output mode place you in command of your precious tone without compromise. With over 130 exclusive Sweetened Tunings® and Guided Tunings on-board, you'll be able to dial in your sound and tune like the pros!
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 Featuring the largest tuning display Peterson Tuners has ever incorporated into one of their pedal tuners, the StroboStomp HD boasts a high-definition, LCD screen that incorporates a variable color LED backlight. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboStomp LE

$169.00

Featuring the largest tuning display Peterson Tuners has ever incorporated into one of their pedal tuners, the StroboStomp HD boasts a high-definition, LCD screen that incorporates a variable color LED backlight. The user-selectable colors can be used to personalize the tuner or to increase display viewing quality in different levels of ambient lighting depending on the usage environment. The vibrant screen colors can also be assigned to stock or user presets to significantly reduce menu navigation time and increase on-stage tuning confidence at the gig. For tone purists, the StroboStomp HD provides a 100% silent, true-bypass operation mode to keep precious tone safe, as well as, eliminate the often annoying “pop” experienced when engaging such a feature in other products. It uses a unique series of timed relays incorporated within its circuitry to shunt the signal, draining the cause of the popping sound prior to breaking the connection, and effectively shutting the tuner down for direct play through without affecting tone quality. The StroboStomp HD also includes a long-time, user-requested buffered output operation mode that can be user engaged. The buffered mode can be used in or out of monitor mode. It is designed to boost instrument drive to overcome potential tone loss in signal chains that incorporate multiple low-impedance guitar pedals or those that utilize long cable runs. The buffered output modes preserve sonic quality all through the instrument range and keep prized core tone intact. The StroboStomp HD features over 100 exclusive Sweetened Tunings™, as well as, numbered guided tuning presets for a large variety of instruments and playing styles. Sweetened Tunings are exclusive to Peterson tuning products and are designed to help correct inherent tuning issues exhibited by many instruments. The new "Guided Tunings" mode allows the StroboStomp HD to display numeric string values instead of traditional note names making for sure-fire intuitive and rapid re-tuning to any number of open and alternative tunings. The Guided Tuning mode was instituted for beginners who want to experiment with popular alternate tunings, as well as, experienced players who employ multiple tunings in rapid succession. Numerically expressed scales are also included.
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 The StroboPLUS HDC encompasses decades of tuning authority and technology to deliver the ultimate strobe tuner/metronome combo!

The StroboPLUS HDC’s 0. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboPLUS HDC

$179.99

The StroboPLUS HDC encompasses decades of tuning authority and technology to deliver the ultimate strobe tuner/metronome combo! The StroboPLUS HDC’s 0.1 cent tuning accuracy will tune any instrument with the utmost precision. Featuring a high-definition, multi-color display with variable color LED backlight, the StroboPLUS HDC display can be seen easily across the stage, bench, studio or classroom. Over 200 exclusive Sweetened Tunings® and Guided Tunings on-board accommodate a variety of instruments, temperaments, and musical genres. The highly configurable metronome features precise 0.1 BPM adjustability in eighth notes, quarter notes, dotted quarter notes or half notes, a tempo range of 10-280 BPM, over 100 subdivisions, accent patterns, and polyrhythms. The StroboPLUS HDC can also be used to play thousands of bars of tempo maps, programmable from the Peterson Connect Web App. A single tempo map can play an entire score of meter changes, accent patterns, subdivisions, bar colors, silent bars and gradually curved tempo changes like accelerandos and ritardandos. The StroboPLUS HDC is the perfect tuning, ear training and rhythm tool all in one package!
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 Featuring the largest tuning display Peterson Tuners has ever incorporated into one of their pedal tuners, the StroboStomp HD boasts a high-definition, LCD screen that incorporates a variable color LED backlight. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboStomp HD

$149.00

Featuring the largest tuning display Peterson Tuners has ever incorporated into one of their pedal tuners, the StroboStomp HD boasts a high-definition, LCD screen that incorporates a variable color LED backlight. The user-selectable colors can be used to personalize the tuner or to increase display viewing quality in different levels of ambient lighting depending on the usage environment. The vibrant screen colors can also be assigned to stock or user presets to significantly reduce menu navigation time and increase on-stage tuning confidence at the gig. For tone purists, the StroboStomp HD provides a 100% silent, true-bypass operation mode to keep precious tone safe, as well as, eliminate the often annoying “pop” experienced when engaging such a feature in other products. It uses a unique series of timed relays incorporated within its circuitry to shunt the signal, draining the cause of the popping sound prior to breaking the connection, and effectively shutting the tuner down for direct play through without affecting tone quality. The StroboStomp HD also includes a long-time, user-requested buffered output operation mode that can be user engaged. The buffered mode can be used in or out of monitor mode. It is designed to boost instrument drive to overcome potential tone loss in signal chains that incorporate multiple low-impedance guitar pedals or those that utilize long cable runs. The buffered output modes preserve sonic quality all through the instrument range and keep prized core tone intact. The StroboStomp HD features over 100 exclusive Sweetened Tunings™, as well as, numbered guided tuning presets for a large variety of instruments and playing styles. Sweetened Tunings are exclusive to Peterson tuning products and are designed to help correct inherent tuning issues exhibited by many instruments. The new "Guided Tunings" mode allows the StroboStomp HD to display numeric string values instead of traditional note names making for sure-fire intuitive and rapid re-tuning to any number of open and alternative tunings. The Guided Tuning mode was instituted for beginners who want to experiment with popular alternate tunings, as well as, experienced players who employ multiple tunings in rapid succession. Numerically expressed scales are also included.
MORE

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 The Peterson StroboClip HD™ (SC-HD) has the same tenth-of-a-cent accuracy as all Peterson Strobe Tuners. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboClip HD

$59.99

The Peterson StroboClip HD™ (SC-HD) has the same tenth-of-a-cent accuracy as all Peterson Strobe Tuners. This versatile tuner comes complete with a bright high-definition screen, over 50 Sweetened™ tunings, alternate temperaments for a vast array of string and wind instruments, and soft rubber-lined jaws to protect your instrument's finish while offering a firm grip for maximum signal tracking.
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 The Peterson StroboPlus HD (SP-1) is THE premier desktop digital tuner on the market!  Equally as comfortable on a tech’s workbench as it is in a player’s guitar case, this tuner, with all of its features, is no exception to Peterson’s reputation for being THE most accurate in the industry — don’t let its demure palm size fool you! Players of both acoustic and electric instruments can rest assured— a built-in electret condenser microphone and ¼” input jack provide excellent connectivity. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboPLUS HD

$149.99

The Peterson StroboPlus HD (SP-1) is THE premier desktop digital tuner on the market! Equally as comfortable on a tech’s workbench as it is in a player’s guitar case, this tuner, with all of its features, is no exception to Peterson’s reputation for being THE most accurate in the industry — don’t let its demure palm size fool you! Players of both acoustic and electric instruments can rest assured— a built-in electret condenser microphone and ¼” input jack provide excellent connectivity. Gone are the days of having to carry extra batteries and tripping over power cables during a performance! This tuner is rechargeable via computer bus or outlet power, and its large, circular screen is easily viewed in both the darkest and brightest environmental conditions. Features such as Auto Off, easy menu navigation, tripod mounting capability, over 90 of our Sweetened Tunings, tone generation ability via built in speaker, and a headphone output jack round out the package. Finally, future-proof updating and parameter editing is made possible by the tuner’s unobtrusive side-mounted USB jack. And for those feeling exceptionally adventurous, this tuner can be upgraded to also feature our super flexible Body Beat metronome option, along with both audible AND tactile mode operation. Hear the beat or feel it…the power is in your hands. This tuner is fit for the most discerning of players and technicians for sure!
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 iStroboSoft™ offers the unmatched accuracy of a mechanical strobe tuner for the highest degree of precision available in a software tuning application. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

iStroboSoft™ (iOS)

$9.99

iStroboSoft™ offers the unmatched accuracy of a mechanical strobe tuner for the highest degree of precision available in a software tuning application. Plug in your electrics or use the built-in mic for acoustic instruments to quickly and easily tune with 1/10th cent accuracy.
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 The Peterson StroboSoft2 Tuning Suite gives you the power to route your audio through your DAW on an insert point or to strap it across your buss and tune with unrivaled accuracy. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

StroboSoft 2.0

$49.99 - $99.99

The Peterson StroboSoft2 Tuning Suite gives you the power to route your audio through your DAW on an insert point or to strap it across your buss and tune with unrivaled accuracy. Getting your instrument into your computer is as simple as plugging in up to two sound cards at once (stereo input), and selecting a sampling rate up to 96kHz. If the output level of your instrument still isn’t high enough, we have you covered. You can boost signals up to 24dB and achieve an ideal tuning lock. Sharp and flat tuning indicators make “at a glance” tuning a breeze. Gone are the days of needing to use an external compressor to tap-tune backboards, braces, and tone bars. Our “Average” function does away with any measured outliers. The “Standard” downloadable version of this software offers basic chromatic tuning, Cent/Hertz/MIDI note number output, noise filtering, and selectable concert A reference. Our “Deluxe” version offers 38 Sweetened Tunings, themed skins to personalize the tuner to fit the best look for your style, the ability to import/export Sweeteners and temperament to share with friends, and oscilloscope/spectrum analyzer utilities!
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1. Make sure to keep strings in good condition, wipe them down with a cloth after playing and replace them with new strings when they become old or worn. If you break a string while playing or tuning, it often means the strings are at the end of their useful life. Old strings will never hold a tuning. Replace all strings at the same time.

2. Tune UP - not down – to the pitch of a note on your tuner.

3. I you use a capo and a Sweetener in combination, attach the capo, then dial in the relevant transposition number as follows: Capo on 1st fret = +1, Capo on 2nd = +2 etc.

4. Check the soundboard stability, especially when using heavier gauge strings, by looking across the top for any warping signs.

5. If you use an alternate tuning with a lot of raised pitches (e.g. Nashville Tuning), use an appropriate gauge set of strings to avoid stress on the guitar.

Guitars made by Martin, Gibson & Guild in the first half of the 20th century are particularly cherished. Robert Johnson’s 1928 Gibson L1, Willie Nelson’s 1969 Martin N-20, Woodie Guthrie’s 1945 Gibson Southern Jumbo, Elvis Presley’s 1956 Gibson J200, Django Rheinhardt’s various Selmer-Maccaferris, Bob Dylan’s 1930s Gibson Nick Lucas Special, Joni Mitchell’s Martin D28 are some of the most iconic.

I Who Have Nothing - Brian May & Kerry Ellis - StroboClip
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