Quick Answer
Nashville tuning, also called high-strung tuning, keeps the same notes as standard tuning but raises the four lowest strings by an octave. The two top strings stay where they are.
You don't retune anything. You restring the guitar with a special set of light strings, then tune to the usual E A D G B E. Your chord shapes don't change, but there is no low end. The guitar sounds bright and shimmering, a lot like the high strings of a 12-string guitar on their own.
We make a dedicated set for it: Phosphor Bronze Nashville Tuning (P1025NT).
| String | Standard tuning | Nashville tuning | P1025NT gauge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th | E2 | E3 (octave up) | .025 |
| 5th | A2 | A3 (octave up) | .017 |
| 4th | D3 | D4 (octave up) | .012 |
| 3rd | G3 | G4 (octave up) | .009 |
| 2nd | B3 | B3 (same) | .014 |
| 1st | E4 | E4 (same) | .010 |
How Nashville Tuning Works
A 12-string guitar has six pairs of strings. On the four lowest pairs, one string is tuned normally and the other is tuned an octave higher. Nashville tuning takes only those higher octave strings and puts them on a 6-string guitar.
The result is a 6-string guitar that plays like a normal guitar but sounds like the top half of a 12-string. The note names are the same as standard tuning, so every chord you already know works without changes.
The name comes from Nashville recording sessions, where it became a common rhythm guitar sound. Chet Atkins helped popularize it, and session guitarist Ray Edenton made it a signature of his rhythm work. Well-known recorded examples include "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas and "Hey You" by Pink Floyd.
Why Does the 3rd String Sound Higher Than the Others?
In standard tuning, each string is higher than the one above it. Nashville tuning breaks that order.
The 3rd string moves from G3 up to G4. That makes it higher than the B on the 2nd string and the E on the 1st string. It is the highest open string on the guitar, and it is also the thinnest string in the set at .009.
This is what gives Nashville tuning its sound. When you strum a chord, the notes don't run from low to high. Higher and lower notes are mixed together, which creates the bright, ringing texture.
Is This the Same as an Open Tuning?
No. Nashville tuning isn't a conventional open tuning. It keeps the same note names as standard E A D G B E but raises the four lowest strings by an octave. Unlike open G or open D tuning, you don't need to learn different chord shapes.
What the Strings Are Made Of
Our Nashville set is part of our Phosphor Bronze acoustic line. The wound strings have a phosphor bronze wrap over a high carbon steel hex core, and the set uses ball ends like any standard acoustic set.
Nashville tuning uses lighter gauges on the four lowest string positions because those strings are tuned an octave higher than normal. Raising pitch increases tension, so the lighter gauges help keep the strings at a playable tension for those higher notes.
The set is made in the USA.
Why Phosphor Bronze?
Phosphor bronze is our main acoustic string material, and our Nashville set is built for acoustic guitars. A bronze wrap is made to be heard through an acoustic guitar's body, not picked up by the magnetic pickups on an electric guitar.
Standard Set vs Nashville Set
| Feature | Standard acoustic set | Nashville set (P1025NT) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuning | E A D G B E | E A D G B E |
| Octave of strings 3 to 6 | Normal | One octave higher |
| Strings 1 and 2 | Normal | Normal |
| Thickest string | Much heavier, for E2 | .025, for E3 |
| Low end | Full | None |
| Chord shapes | Standard | Standard |
Good starting point for a standard set: your main guitar, solo playing, and anything that needs bass notes.
Good starting point for a Nashville set: a second guitar used to add a bright layer next to a standard-tuned guitar, in the studio or in a band with more than one guitar.
Is Nashville Tuning Easier to Play?
It can feel different. The strings are light gauges, but they are tuned higher than a standard set's matching strings. Gauge, pitch and scale length all decide how tight a string feels, so a light Nashville string at a high pitch won't necessarily feel loose or slinky.
We wouldn't call it easier or harder. It's a different setup for a different sound. Give it a few days of playing before deciding how it feels to you.
How to Set Up a Guitar for Nashville Tuning
- Pick the guitar. Nashville tuning works on a standard 6-string acoustic. Since switching back and forth means restringing, it works best on a second guitar you can leave in Nashville tuning.
- Get a Nashville set. You need the octave strings for the four lowest positions. A complete Nashville set, like our P1025NT, saves you from buying a 12-string set and using only half of it.
- Put each string in the right slot. Follow the order in the table above. The .009 goes in the 3rd string slot, not the 1st. The 1st and 3rd strings are easy to mix up because both are thin.
- Tune to E A D G B E. Use a tuner and tune each string to the pitch in the table. Tuning a light string to the old, lower octave will leave it too slack, and tuning a string an octave too high can break it.
- Check the nut and setup. The thinner strings sit in nut slots cut for heavier strings. If a string buzzes or moves sideways in its slot, a guitar tech can check the nut. See the setup section below.
Our Nashville Tuning Set
Phosphor Bronze Nashville Tuning (P1025NT)
Good starting point for: a 6-string acoustic you want to dedicate to Nashville tuning, for layering with a standard-tuned guitar.
- Gauges: .010 (E), .014 (B), .009 (g), .012 (d), .017 (a), .025 (e)
- Material: phosphor bronze wrap over a high carbon steel hex core
- Ends: ball end
- Made in the USA
Shop the P1025NT Nashville set.
Custom Nashville Setups
Nashville tuning can also be customized, for example with a different octave arrangement or by raising only certain strings. These variations need gauges selected for the intended pitches rather than a standard Nashville set. If you're building a custom setup, our single strings let you choose the gauges you need.
Setup and Maintenance
Nut Slots
Nut slots are cut for the strings that came on the guitar. The light strings in a Nashville set are thinner than the strings they replace, especially on the 3rd to 6th string positions. They may work fine as they are. If a string buzzes at the nut or slides sideways, a tech can fit a separate nut for Nashville tuning.
Neck Relief
A Nashville set has a different overall pull on the neck than a standard set. The guitar may need a small truss rod adjustment after the change. If the action feels different or the strings start to buzz after a day or two, have the setup checked.
Intonation
Because the strings are a different gauge than the saddle was set for, some notes up the neck may sound slightly sharp or flat. A tech can fine-tune the saddle if you hear a problem.
When to Change Them
Change the strings when they stop sounding bright, feel rough or corroded, or won't stay in tune. With a sound built on high, ringing notes, you'll hear the change quickly.
Final Thoughts
Nashville tuning is a simple way to get a 12-string shimmer from a 6-string guitar. You keep standard chord shapes and standard note names. Only the octave of four strings changes.
It isn't a replacement for standard tuning. It's a second sound that works best next to a standard-tuned guitar. If you have a spare acoustic, a set of P1025NT strings and a tuner are all you need to try it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nashville tuning?
Nashville tuning is standard E A D G B E tuning with the four lowest strings raised by an octave. It uses a special set of light strings and gives a bright, 12-string-like sound with no low end.
What are the notes in Nashville tuning?
From the 6th string to the 1st: E3, A3, D4, G4, B3, E4. The note names are the same as standard tuning. The 3rd string, G4, is the highest open string.
Is Nashville tuning the same as high-strung tuning?
Yes. High-strung, high-string and Nashville tuning all describe the same setup.
Do chord shapes change in Nashville tuning?
No. The notes are the same as standard tuning, so every chord shape works. The chords just sound different because the low notes are gone and the voicings are mixed in octave.
Can I use regular strings for Nashville tuning?
Not for the four lowest strings. A standard 6th string can't be tuned up an octave; it would be under far too much tension and could break. You need the light octave strings from a Nashville set or a 12-string set.
Can I make a Nashville set from a 12-string set?
Yes. The octave strings from the four lowest pairs of a 12-string set, plus the 1st and 2nd strings, give you a Nashville setup. You'll have leftover strings. A dedicated Nashville set like our P1025NT gives you only the six you need.
Can I use Nashville tuning on an electric guitar?
Nashville tuning also works on electric guitar, but you'll want strings compatible with magnetic pickups. Our P1025NT set is designed for acoustic guitars with phosphor bronze wound strings. For an electric setup, choose suitable electric guitar singles from our single strings in the gauges and pitches you need.
Can I use Nashville tuning on a 12-string guitar?
No. Nashville tuning is a 6-string setup that copies the sound of the octave strings on a 12-string. A 12-string already has those octave strings.
Do I need a setup after switching to Nashville tuning?
Not always. The thinner strings may sit loose in nut slots cut for heavier strings, and the neck may need a small relief adjustment. If you hear buzzing or the action changes, have a tech check it.
Can I use a capo with Nashville tuning?
Yes. A capo works the same way it does in standard tuning, so you can change key and keep open chord shapes.
Why use Nashville tuning instead of a 12-string guitar?
A 12-string gives you both the low and high strings together. Nashville tuning gives you only the high octave sound. Paired with a standard-tuned 6-string, it lets you control the low and high parts separately in a recording or a band.
Which string goes where in a Nashville set?
From the 6th string position to the 1st: .025, .017, .012, .009, .014, .010. The .009 goes in the 3rd string position. It is not the high E.
