How do I tune a resonator guitar?

Resonator guitars come in two kinds, and the neck decides the tuning.

Squareneck (played on the lap with a steel bar): high-bass G B D G B D is the standard bluegrass tuning.

1. Tune the 6th string to G.
2. Tune the 5th string to B.
3. Tune the 4th string to D.
4. Tune the 3rd string to G, an octave above the 6th.
5. Tune the 2nd string to B and the 1st string to D.
6. Strum open. You should hear a G major chord.

Roundneck (played like a guitar):

• Standard: E A D G B E, for fingerpicking and chords
• Open G: D G D G B D, a favorite for bottleneck slide
• Open D: D A D F# A D, deep and full

Resonator strings run heavy because they need to drive the metal cone. All three S.I.T. sets are medium .017–.056, built for these tunings. For squareneck in open tuning, start with DBR1756N Nickel. DBR1756S Stainless is brighter, and DBRGL1756 Silencer 80/20 reduces string noise under a bar. See Resonator.