Nashville Tuning | Why EVERYONE Should Know It

The Nashville guitar tuning has been around for decades and has been used on countless records over the years, yet I don't see many modern guitar players using it as much as they could. Its an incredibly powerful and inspiring tuning and can unlock new ideas and help break you out of a rut in your playing.
Check out my brand new video course Fretboard Fundamentals here:
rhettshullguitarcourses.com/p/ff
------------
SIGN UP FOR THE INNER CIRCLE HERE:
rhettshullguitarcourses.com/p...
MY VIDEO COURSES:
Check out my newest video course Fretboard Fundamentals
rhettshullguitarcourses.com/p/ff
The Complete Nashville Number System video course
rhettshullguitarcourses.com/p...
Check Out My Guitar Tone Course Here!
rhettshullguitarcourses.com/p...
------------
GEAR USED IN TODAY'S VIDEO:
Two Notes Torpedo Captor X
imp.i114863.net/c/2330848/937...
Mogami Gold Guitar Cable
imp.i114863.net/c/2330848/937...
MY HOME STUDIO SETUP:
Universal Audio Apollo X4
imp.i114863.net/c/2330848/937...
Universal Audio 4-710D Mic Pre and Compressor
imp.i114863.net/2rW9L7
Yamaha HS7 Studio Monitors
imp.i114863.net/c/2330848/937...
Sennheiser MKH416 Shotgun Mic
imp.i114863.net/c/2330848/937...
------------
MY PRESETS & PROFILES:
Line 6 HX Stomp Presets
www.rhettshull.com/helix/hx-s...
Line 6 Helix & Helix LT Presets
www.rhettshull.com/helix
Kemper Profiles
www.rhettshull.com/kemperprof...
Impulse Responses (Helix, Kemper, Iridium & AxeFx)
www.rhettshull.com/helix/rhet...
------------
MY SECOND CHANNEL:
Rhett Shull Studio
/ @rhettshulltwo
MY DISCORD SERVER:
/ discord
DEACON KNIGHT (my band):
/ @deaconknight1939
------------
THE BACKSTAGE JOURNAL PODCAST:
(apple) podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
(spotify) open.spotify.com/show/1q8Rrv4...
------------
SHIPPING ADDRESS:
5805 State Bridge Road
Suite G90
Johns Creek Ga
30097
------------
My Video Rig (affiliate links)
CAMERA:
-Sony A7III (affiliate link)
amzn.to/2NDqJW2
LENSES:
-Sony 24-105mm f4 (affiliate link)
amzn.to/3svZuLZ
-Sigma 35mm f1.4 (affiliate link)
amzn.to/37M01S6
-Sigma 50mm f1.4 (affiliate link)
amzn.to/3dM4FDm
LIGHTS:
-Neewer LED Panel Bi Color (affiliate link)
amzn.to/3kzkb73
SOUND:
-Sennheiser MKH 416 Shotgun Mic (affiliate link)
imp.i114863.net/c/2330848/937...
-Universal Audio Apollo X4 (affiliate link)
imp.i114863.net/c/2330848/937...
-Zoom H6 Handy Recorder (affiliate link)
imp.i114863.net/c/2330848/937...

[@joskam092]

There’s a terrible curse that plagues guitar players once they reach the intermediate stage… I call it guitar course ad syndrome. Every guitar video you watch will be prefaced by an ad for a guitar course you don’t really need, taught by some random dude you wouldn’t want to ask directions from let alone teach you how to play guitar.

[@USAlien234]

@@garysloan9793 or a computer with ad block. Or an app with built in ad block haha

[@pazdylan1873]

The solution is to start becoming a musician no later than early teens and most of the concepts on KZbin will be 2nd nature by the time you are adult.

[@-davidolivares]

Dude, harshness on the extreme. Sign up for my course of course, totally.

[@infn8loopmusic]

@@garysloan9793 this! KZbin premium is like what... $20/ month for 4 accounts. Worth every penny. No ads on any devices, and you can actually lock the screen and keep listening. For that and Google music, It's awesome.

[@superserioes]

I‘m subscribed to Netflix, Prime Video and KZbin. I would give up the first two way before the latter. Ad-free KZbin is one of the best things in my life because you can actually focus on great content.

[@ibalrog]

"You can fake a 12 string, but you can do things a 12 string cannot do." Such as stay in tune, for instance.

[@venemataylor]

feature not a bug

[@venemataylor]

feature not a bug

[@hkguitar1984]

Unless you were Glen Campbell as he was a monster on an electric 12-String. But yeah, you totally make a great point.

[@TranscendentBen]

You can't even GET in tune with a 12-string. With individual saddles on an electric, you can adjust the Nashville tuning for the high-pitched strings and they'll be in tune all up the fretboard, the way the others are. You can't do this on a 12 string, as both the low and high string go over the same saddle, so it's inherently not in tune when you fret them. I see an opportunity for a 12-string with 12 adjustable saddles.

[@jimbailey1122]

I have one of my 12s dropped to D Standard and it stays in tune much better than the E. Much less stress on the neck as well.

[@rickroche8860]

I'm old. Really. But back in the day, we frequently doubled the electric bass lines with a higher strung 6 string bass or the lower keys of an acoustic piano to give a fuller and complex sound to the bass lines. Love your teaching style sir, easy for us experienced players to immediqately comprehend. Thanks for a great video!

[@lt_johnmcclane]

I think that’s known as Tic-Tac bass. It’s basically like a baritone guitar that doubles the bass line

[@rickroche8860]

Yeah, tic tac bass was around too. Danelectro basses sounded great on top of the mix. Thanks for replying and keep up the good teaching!

[@rickroche8860]

eah, tic tac bass was around too. Danelectro basses sounded great on top of the mix. Thanks for replying and keep up the good teaching!@@lt_johnmcclane

[@gilguajardo7808]

As soon as you play that minor chord, immediate “Hey You”. 🙌🏼

[@andrewt248]

Truth is, if you buy a 12-string pack for Nashville tuning, you get two sets in one-one for Nashville and one for standard.

[@jars3n125]

only if you're not replacing the high E and B

[@andrewt248]

@@jars3n125 Why do you say that?

[@jars3n125]

@@andrewt248 because if you watched the video he says that he is keeping the same gauge strings for the high E and B.

[@andrewt248]

@@jars3n125 A 12-string set has two of each and the high E and B are unison and the standard gauge. A 12-string set is literally a Nashville set and a standard set meant for one guitar.

[@nuberiffic]

...yeah, he says that in the video

[@MrJumboblimpjumbo]

If you're switching a guitar over to Nashville tuning be sure to set up your guitar: the bridge saddles may need to be adjusted to compensate for the different gauge strings you are using, and the truss rod may need an adjustment due to the change in tension

[@bongjovi4928]

Set up deez nuts

[@MrJumboblimpjumbo]

@@bongjovi4928 did it take you a year to come up with that wicked burn?

[@dontask6863]

Hahaha

[@TH-gi6tl]

I think the mindgoblin helped

[@topbreak38]

I played at church with some friends some time ago. We had two guitars and a mandolin. I thought it would be boring to just be the second guitar sound so I put my guitar into Nashville tuning. The other guys had never seen that before and it kinda blew their minds.

[@walterkersting9922]

I will do that as well and not tell anyone.

[@applesaus395]

@@walterkersting9922 lol

[@b.wiggins714]

I play at my church and ima take a page from your book and blow them away. 🤘🏼

[@EdwinDekker71]

​@@b.wiggins714 plays at church, posts the devil horns hand symbol

[@b.wiggins714]

@@EdwinDekker71 only in your mind @Edwin Dekker

[@sunnyclimatemusic]

Total Game changer!!! I have 2 Telecaster Deluxes and did one with Stringjoy's Nashville tuning strings. OMG, this is the best advice I have been given in a looooong time! it is better than having a 12 string electric guitar!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@shojrenrag]

I really think we missed a golden opportunity to name your course "FRHETTboard Fundamentals"... can't win 'em all!

[@drdre4397]

This is genius, Rhett please change it

[@johnriley8314]

@@drdre4397 ...ditto !!!!!

[@TheRealDealBobbySteele]

Yes

[@graphicartdude]

Surprised he didn’t think of that. Maybe he did but thought it was too cheesy. I think it’s brilliant.

[@jmac5937]

I'd like to add to that....FundamentSHULLs....

[@Musicmanimal]

A band of mine back in the early 90's did a record with Producer Joe Hardy at Ardent Studio in Memphis. Joe had an interesting term for Nashville Tuning. He would say, "Rudy let's put some Angel Hair on this track. R.I.P. Joe. Thanks Rhett, as always, inspiring and educational!!

[@UncleGroOve]

I've converted an old electric to Nashville tuning a couple of years ago and have kept her to that tuning ever since :-) What I totally like about this specific tuning is the fact that the string notes are all clustered in one octave, which yields droning effects (more notes playing at the same pitch at the same time) and chord structures (note groupings) similar to what one usually plays on keyboards.

[@tshirtsnjeans]

Wow. Been learning and playing on and off since 1974, and the learning never stops. This is by far the best I’ve seen.

[@petersilver4294]

How cool. Even after nearly 60 years of pkaying I still can learn something completely unexpected about guitars. Just subscribed.

[@Joeman7890]

Same. Can’t wait to try this out

[@patramirez5264]

I agree, actually never paid it no attention but I want try this out

[@johnkarmann4708]

I've been playing almost 50 years too. I. Kept a 3rd guitar in open E because, well, you know...Leo Kottke. 😁 I have a Martin 12-string but almost never play it. I'm gravitating in my 'old age' toward acoustic blues so I play my much less expensive Fender 6-string. I always wanted to be Robin Trower but the hell with it. Hee hee. I'm me, and that's ok.

[@yonitznkc]

I’m just 59-y-o and SO feel that too, Pete! 👍🏼

[@Alleycat2112]

As a bassist who might need to play a little guitar to polish a song, this really works for me. One thing that sounds meh is 2 guitarists playing the same chord voicing. This allows me to play the same voicing bit sound different.

[@Matthew_Eitzman]

I bought a Peavey bass for $70 at a thrift store in Waterbury, Connecticut.

[@cagecrawford103]

@@Matthew_Eitzman Peavey basses are awesome...their guitars leave a little to be desired, but I don't think I've ever slapped a bad Peavey bass....

[@Matthew_Eitzman]

I paid more for the case ($120) than the bass. Cleaned it up and put new strings on it. It’s not great, but it’s not junk, either.

[@danalito3693]

I am definitely going to try this out. Been playing guitar for over 40 years and never heard of Nashville tuning. Really appreciated you sharing this with us!

[@ConwayBob]

Thank you, Rhett. Your explanations and demos have shown me the value of Nashville tuning better than anything else I've ever seen, heard, or read about it. Well done!!!

[@scottbecker3485]

Much appreciate this! I‘m 60 and have been playing most of my life, but never dabbled in - or understood - what Nashville tuning is, and why one would want to use it. Your video was the perfect way to learn about this - also for acoustic guitar.

[@junkyardmagic]

I've had a Nashville tuned guitar for years. Even the guys in the music shops didn't seem to know about the tuning. To the point where I almost wondered if I had actually read about it or dreamed it!

[@steveharrop8705]

Yeah, me too, been using it for decades. Not sure it actually "belongs" to Nashville. They call the number system the "Nashville Number system", but it was around when Nashville was just a muddy flat by the river. They claim everything, a bit like the chinese, who claim to have invented everything.

[@yorgdridgeblern3550]

I've had a washburn 12 string for 30 years that, I could never keep in tune so I just made it a six and it's great .I cant wait to try this.

[@chuckmaymusic]

Having played for over 55 years, i was of course aware of this tuning but, I always considered it a studio production technique. Thanks Rhett for opening this old brain up to seeing/hearing it as more than just a way to thicken the background. When you played the Emin11add9 I could visualize it's use up front for an intro or as a repeating hook. Thanks for your channel Rhett and for teaching an old dog a new trick!

[@AllTheCoolNamesAreTaken84]

If I had a guitar for every tuning that you recommend, I'd be flat broke 😂🤣😂

[@koda1960]

Flat broke, but happy. Most of my guitars stay in flat broke tuning. My next song is going to be titled flat broke mounting.....

[@RogerBarraud]

On average, half of them should be sharp broke...

[@roosky203]

@@koda1960 💀

[@doitnowvideosyeah5841]

I used to use too many tunings but they were sorta in 'families' like all rhe drop D tunings on one guitar, all rhe LowC together etc

[@benclaase8181]

Ryan, then you can do some flat pickin 😁

[@shivamoon108]

I've been doin' this "split 12 string thing", and turning other guitarists onto it for decades. Thanks for covering it!

[@gpdaelemans]

Yep! 👍🏻

[@richardcramer3542]

This has been on my to do list for far too long. Finally tried this on one of my guitars and it is as much fun as I imagined. Thanks again for the reminder and the nudge.

[@stephenadamsmusicalinterpr4203]

After 43 years of playing guitar and hearing all about Nashville tuning, I’m finally doing it and I love it.

[@wrd2thebigbird]

Cool! I had heard of Nashville tuning before, but never took the time to learn what it was. Definitely going to do this with one of mine. Thanks Rhett!

[@KozmykJ]

I've come across it before but never tried it on one of my own guitars. Also, your explanation is the best I've heard yet. 👍

[@codyfry7206]

Videos like this make me feel like I found something special. I am certainly going to do this on an old Squire II I learned on back in the 90s. Thanks!

[@dominiquebellaud7489]

So cool ! I have a guitar tuned in Nashville and i love it. It really does a difference in arrangements .Good point, Rhett !

[@PeteLamont]

Pink Floyd's "Hey You" tuning is very similar to this but uses a second high e in place of the octave up, making the A the lowest pitch. I tend to use that in place of Nashville and don’t really notice the lack of “bass”, especially when in a full mix.

[@jordibarlow1307]

Same here! I keep an acoustic strung that way in my studio. You can even get a mandolin type sound if used with a capo a few frets up.

[@paulkielty3800]

Great tip cheers.

[@queenhenryviii]

Ahhhb that’s a move. Thanks for that

[@lupo10]

Didn’t know that Pete, thanks for the suggestion. Are you in this tuning on the video you have called ideas?

[@PunkIsDead...LikeMe]

Would you please clarify what that tuning is? Do you replace only the low E with a high E? Do you change out any of the other strings?

[@JR-dd4ec]

Rhett, I just want to say I love your bass lines in your song mixes

[@WorldRockumentaryChannel]

Nashville Tuning invented in 1946 by Lucky White and Leodie Jackson of Lucky White and His Dude Ranch Playboys while in Southwestern California. Lucky from Telephone, Texas and Leodie from Blocker Oklahoma. Lucky gave Buck Owens his first gig at the Ships Cafe' in El Monte California 1949. Bucks sound was given to him by Lucky White.

[@ciscos10011]

yep, true story

[@freefallun]

YES. Truth, he sure did!

[@pcou1785]

Thanks for covering this, Rhett! I've been recording with my old Sigma acoustic strung exclusively with this method for over 20 years now, and I still love what it does for tracks. When doubled with a standard strung guitar on a strumming track, it makes the Nashville strung guitar sound more like it's part of the drum kit's hi-hats, especially if the two guitars are panned left-right. It really brightens the entire mix. Such a gorgeous sound! One point that I think is important to mention, however, is dedicating an acoustic guitar to string this way and then using only that guitar with this stringing. This is not a method where you re-string to Nashville for one session and then re-string back to normal afterwards, and back and forth. The reason is in the strings themselves... the bottom four strings will be much thinner than the standard strings they're replacing. Since your acoustic guitar's nut and bridge slots were cut to an appropriate depth and width for the thicker standard strings when the guitar was set up, the thinner replacement strings will sit lower in the slots, hence closer to the frets. This lower action on those four bottom strings not only feels awkward, it can often produce ugly buzzing as the lowered strings hit the frets. This means that you will need to shim the nut and/or the bridge, or have a new nut and bridge re-cut, to make the action even with the top two strings that don't get swapped out. When I first tried this stringing method back in 2000, I had the guitar tech at my local music store set up the guitar with this stringing for me because I didn't feel comfortable cutting the new nut and bridge myself. I also believed (rightly, as it turned out) that after a while the change in tension on the neck would require a truss rod adjustment. I still have the original nut and bridge in case I ever want to put the guitar back to its original state, though I seriously doubt I will ever want to. Anyway, I just wanted to make acoustic guitarists aware of this caveat. It's not much of a problem on most electric guitars because they have bridge/saddle height adjustments, so at worst you might have to re-cut a new nut or shim the existing one. I think you'll enjoy creating new soundscapes with this Nashville technique! Cheers!

[@redtapemusic]

Alternatively tune down and capo? That removes the nut issues entirely.

[@anthonywallace3830]

Thanks for this. My Nashville strings keep snapping when using them on an acoustic I set aside for it, so maybe a setup would help matters. Cheers!

[@Christbearer57]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@thomasmorrongiello999]

the skinny strings might need a different tension than the normal string which will affect the straightness of the neck if the strings are whacking the frets, a hack could be to loosen the truss rod

[@TheBoxBand]

I used to do this for our live shows back then before pandemic but the only pain in the neck was setting up the guitar because of the difference in string tensions. great video Rhett! and mother of nature! look at that beautiful guitars!

[@samuelhatman8995]

Gosh, just sooo good and useful. I started Nashville experiments a year ago-ish. Bought a Guitar just for this, had it set up, nut, etc. Beautiful! Now to get learning the Mics the Interface, the FL Studio, the Canon M50, the Davinci Studio... Lol. On my way and 68 and never had more fun! You really help and inspire us all at every age. My awesome heartfelt thanks. Sam

[@user-ux1vj9vx7s]

Why did you decide to go with FL?

[@robertsomerville320]

I stumbled upon this and wow, am I glad i did. Thank you Rhett for this inspiring video, a true rut breaker.

[@mickbradley6588]

I've been playing guitar for around 50 years on & off, I've heard of Nashville tuning before, but never looked into it until today. I'm impressed. Big time. I need to re-string one of mine to do some experimenting with this. Thanks Rhett.

[@zummo61]

I have an old Kent Metor tuned to Nashville tuning, it's a short scale so it has a really unique sound. It adds a texture to recordings that people can't quite put their finger on. Through a leslie or univibe it's like an organ.

[@american_cosmic]

Between Rhett's video and your comment, I'm extremely inspired... I'm going to get into this Nashville tuning thing!!

[@syn707]

Wow…haven’t heard anyone mention a Kent anything since I started playing. Yeah, I’m an old fart! Do you have a video of it???

[@gringogreen4719]

That's really cool!😎👍✨

[@BaconTomatoCheese]

Man, I’d really like to hear what that sounds like! Any examples you can point to?

[@mbarlow111]

As soon as i showed my wife this, she demanded one of the guitars always be strung this way. she was thrilled. girls in worship, especially, will love it. and then you do detuning against capos.... golden.

[@jduff59]

Very nice presentation Rhett - I wish I had learned that tuning back when I was playing in bands, it would have been perfect for my role. I was a bassist converted to a 2nd guitarist/12-string player. It's so much more nimble than the clunky Vox 12 I played. Loved your Dan Electro, and playing too!

[@natethegrateful_]

Fantastic video as always. Comprehensive and well-informed. Keep them coming!

[@clowray352]

Hi Rhett. I have a double neck SG and have replaced the 12 string neck with a 6 string neck. The top neck is the Nashville tuning. It saves time changing guitars and play through a Marshal AVT 150 on differing channels from the foot switch. Sounds amazing!

[@jamlemon]

I’d heard of Nashville tuning before and knew it was tuned higher. Didn’t know it was by using 12 string guitar strings though! Think I might have to try this out some time.

[@joelglaser5657]

Thank you! So many cool ideas running around in my head right now. Ordering a couple sets of high tuned strings to try it out on a spare acoustic guitar.

[@kevinrinehart]

Rhett, I really enjoyed this video. I don't normally like alternate tuning but this really does make some good sense. Thank you for showing us.

[@MrPab1lb]

Now I've got my self a gorgeous Baritone acoustic OM, doubling with Nashville over the top (I keep an old Epiphone Cutaway Dread on Nashville tuning always) sounds as you'd expect AMAZING. The aural spread just washes over and through you. Good vid Rhett. Thanks

[@weswhitelock9691]

It would have been a good aside to shoutout Pat Metheny's special "half Nashville" tuning which sounds incredible, as well as his usage of normal Nashville tuning!

[@mainsblanches8793]

...half Nashville "baritone"!!...just saying!!

[@elethaduffy976]

Great video! The sound is so distinctive, can't wait to try this and have some fun with it.

[@coreycann6751]

I just watched the entire video. Gotta say thank you so much for this lesson. I can utilize this for so many songs i am working on. What a great video

[@stringbladestudios]

How have I not tried this after 32 years of playing. I will be trying this!

[@doitnowvideosyeah5841]

You probably are not a Nashville studio trivia nerd. I learned of this long ago but I am a nerd like that. Maybe I heard Wild Horses ( Stones) and learned one of the acoustics is in Nashville.

[@DavidDiMuzio]

Great video Rhett! I’m totally gonna try this on one of my electric guitars 🤘🏻💜

[@wbwillie]

I want to get another tele and do it myself

[@bigted1953]

Great video rhett . Daves gonna try it on one of his electric guitars.

[@soterisvassiliou5534]

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. I HAVE BEEN USING THIS TUNING FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND IT CREATES A NEW MUSICAL WORLD IN MY RECORDINGS. IT OPENS UP INCREIBLE CREATIVE VISTAS. KEEP UP THIS GOOD WORK.

[@BachelorMachinesTV]

Fascinating! I've been playing for 30 years and this is the first time I've heard about this, it sounds incredible.

[@DMDvideo10]

One note: When you're playing a 12 string you aren't hitting the two strings at the same time. On the down stroke there is a slight delay (few ms) so if you added that 5 or 10ms delay to your regular guitar track it would open it up more and sound even more like a 12 string.

[@fabiocuccu3689]

If he's not quantizing there's going to be a tiny bit of difference in the timing in the overdub after all

[@davedavem]

Good point. I believe 12-string simulator pedals add an upper octave to the lower mids as well as a slight delay.

[@davedavem]

@@kennymacleod4085 did you calculate that with the speed of sound or the speed of your picking arm when strumming...? I think the delay we're talking about is between the two strings being struck.

[@jackhaugh]

What if you play with your fingers?

[@doitnowvideosyeah5841]

This is unique feature ( at least at the time) for the Rickenbacker electric 12 string. The low string is on ' top' then the octave. Opposite of the standard acoustic 12

[@mralgebro]

Wow 😮 never heard of this. So many possibilities sometimes it’s overwhelming. I can’t even make my normal tuning sound good most days. Think I’ll keep practicing that first 😂

[@820hurleyj]

Your explanation and moreso, your demonstrations of examples has flooded my head with ideas. Thanks so much!

[@guithawk-ij8is]

Always enjoy your videos. I have an old Epiphone acoustic lying around that barely got played after I picked up a couple Taylors. Often just put it in alternate tunings, but I decided to try this and it really came alive! I had been debating buying a 12 string, but now I'm not in such a hurry. It's so much fun to play now!

[@geoffcowan2384]

I love that Danelectro. It doesn't get better than orange sparkle! Thanks for the video Rhett!

[@motoxjosh29]

as a metal guy, this just opened a whole new world. im excited to set one up like this and play with it. thanks for the info!

[@nathanbrisebois8756]

You should check out Rebel Meets Rebel. It's Pantera, minus Phil Anselmo, plus David Allen Coe

[@jazzwah]

Very interesting. Thanks for making and sharing this. I'll have to add this texture to my arsenal.

[@edlaney3771]

Absolutely going to do this. I'm 63 been playing since I was 8 and never thought about this. Thanks Rhett.

[@MetalMarcJK]

I love having a Nashville-tuned guitar. For the last five years, I've played guitar for my church's modern worship special Christmas service. This year, I decided to have a Nashville-tuned guitar along with my other two electrics. I figured I'd use it on a song or two, but during our first rehearsal, I used it on all but two songs! It sits well in the mix for most songs. It's a gem!

[@allanrathgeber4311]

Have been jonesing after a small bodied acoustic for a Nashville strung guitar for many years. Those recordings you mentioned in the early 50's were mostly done at RCA by Chet Atkins. I remember reading in a Guitar Player magazine in the early 70's that it was he that created this Tuning. Either way, thanks for bringing it back into interest and I do hope many more players get on to it. Tapping anyone?

[@hammondjones9484]

Great video and overall channel, approachable concepts and soulful delivery , thank you

[@jimpottssoundandvision]

Hello, you are the first to make this clear to me and I'm running with it--it sounds really great. Thank you! JP

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

There's now New Nashville Tuning, it's an updated version of Nashville Tuning where the B String has been replaced w/ an Octave4Plus .006 Gauge High B

[@valvenator]

I have a short scale electric that used to be my son's (he moved up to standard size) that needs some love. I tried tuning it up a fourth from A to A but having spent all these years with standard tuning I find myself having to think too much. Maybe this is what it needs though I wonder if I could get that high E up an octave too. Who makes an .006 string anyway? I know Billy Gibbons uses something like a .007 or .008 but have never seen them.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@valvenator Octave4Plus makes .006 Gauge Strings & even thinner so let's go all the way up to Super High E Standard Tuning and yes they make wound versions too which will hold up better cause they're under less tension

[@belowcelcius5406]

I don’t know what it is but tuning danelectros differently just sounds the best for some reason

[@tritonmosquito9348]

Maybe that's not right but I think it may be because the Lipstick pickups are just one large magnet and pick up whatever you throw at them equally. They're not made to be used with any particular gage or type of string... Don't know if it has any kind of truth, but just a thought !

[@AlfredHugecokk]

This video is brought to you by Danelectro

[@valvenator]

Zep's Kashmir comes to mind

[@mikeguitarification]

Great explanation of the why's as opposed to just the how's. I learned a lot that I did not know here today. You earned a sub. Thanks.

[@mauricerogerson5825]

Yep, I'm gonna play with that. I love getting new sounds. Thanks, Rhett

[@bubbles3161]

Been playing for 40 years, didn't know about Nashville tuning. And I toured in a country band with live TV dates with well known musicians. You tube is great for seasoned and beginner musicians. Awesome video !

[@ronsheehan]

I used to play in an acoustic trio. I always arranged the guitar parts to spread the voicing out while keeping them all in standard tuning. For example, if a song is in G, I’d have one guitar play chord shapes with no capo, a second guitar playin capo 4 using shapes from the key of C, and a third guitar on capo 7 playing D chord shapes. With this guitar arrangement and three part harmonies, the sound was HUGE

[@jamiecowan170]

Great idea. The sound would be huge. Like a lot of 80s metal bands had two guitars, the lead and the other playing a third or fifth above. Iron Maiden was maybe the best at this, but on acoustic I can imagine how epic your version would be. Are you on KZbin? I wanna hear it.

[@ronsheehan]

@@jamiecowan170 this group is long gone. It actually predates KZbin. If there are any recordings, I certainly don’t have them

[@jamiecowan170]

@@ronsheehan Sorry to hear it, but that happens. I wish I had recordings of all the bands I played with. Anyway, love the description of your sound, I'll bet it was great.

[@AlanStewartMusic]

The hard panned L/R Nashville tuning using electric x 2 with ambient effects ... v.useful production technique, thanks Rhett!

[@kenc3622]

I've known of Nashville tuning for a long time but never knew exactly what it was. Thanks for explaining it so well.

[@jipes]

This sounds amazing didn't know that it could be used other than doubling parts

[@PeteCarlton]

That Danelectro is sick and sounds it.

[@robertjohnson3855]

I grind Dan Electro guitars one of the ugliest. When they first came out they were a clear acrylic model. One of the first clear guitars kind of a little gimmicky, but I’ve never really liked them myself!

[@0713mas]

I did this one of my guitars and also to a 6 string guitar banjo, it is one of my favorite writing recording tools!

[@thekolt533]

brilliant, another mystery unlocked and I can think of dozens of songs that probably employed this simple trick in the studio to add color and depth to the mix!!! Thankyou Rhett!!! RjK

[@montygibbon1905]

Jumping Jack Flash

[@off-meta-michael]

I've actually played something so perfectly twice before that for a couple seconds my two guitars lost their stereo image and became mono out of the speaker. I actually had to redo the take. It's never happened again.

[@cheezyridr]

i did that several times the last time i was recording, and they complained about it

[@cheezyridr]

@@tinnitusthenight5545 not necessarily a brag. in my case the music i was recording was super simple. i can't claim any note worthy talent

[@knyggaplease1222]

That's pretty cool. Seems like the easy fix would be using two different mics, or tweaking the signal chain if electric, so that even if both parts were technical perfection, they'd still have subtly distinct characters. IDK, I just have a bunch of guitars and gear that I can't really use or play because I assumed that bring more deeply invested would have a motivational effect. It kinda did, but not the way I hoped; I just got great at buying guitars and gear. 😬🙃

[@Rwtheking]

Love the Danelectro. They’re incredible guitars that show even plywood can make great solid bodies tonally. Might not be as comfortable as my RG or a regular non super strat but it sounds great.

[@rider132]

They’re also a bargain. I have a purple sparkle 12 string that I bought used for $300. Plays and sounds fantastic.

[@averyplaysguitar]

yeah because tonewood is a myth

[@kentl7228]

​@@averyplaysguitar yup. It is all about the pickups.

[@averyplaysguitar]

@@kentl7228 pickups and electronics are the most important, bridge material, nut material, and string tension also affect the guitar's tone. the biggest thing that shapes your tone is your amp's speakers.

[@johnpillow481]

Good to see you playing more acoustic, Rhett! I accidently discovered this years ago when my old Angelica 12-string started lifting the bridge so to reduce tension I removed the the lower courses and thought it sounded pretty cool. I wonder it the boys in Nashville had a similar epiphany! Alas, she's just a string-less wall-hanger now.

[@jkennan]

Just went for it with an acoustic. Interesting! Very sparkly.

[@simondavid2519]

What I feel with my Nashville-tuned guitar, is that it’s truly a studio tool (and a great one!) rather than a live or jam instrument

[@dkerwood1]

Yep. Unfortunately, this is what doomed my Nashville-tuned Tele... I loved jamming with it too much, so when that high G snapped, I put it back into standard. Currently soft looking for a sub-$100 Squier Tele to permanently put in Nashville tuning.

[@thefriendlyranger5718]

I've used it live. The last time I used it, I wasn't doing it to double the other guitarist. I used it to get some other sounds like a mandolin/bouzouki. Usually I would use a modal tuning and capo up for something like that but I had brought my Wechter Nashville along that day and decided to try it. It worked out pretty well. But, yeah, it's not something I use a lot.

[@DeadWhiteButterflies]

I'd love to see someone try this out with big sparkly Math Rock chords & lead parts.

[@peterw2880]

My immediate thought with that first chord he strummed lol

[@musicboy2003]

I’ve never heard the term Math Rock before. Please define, thanks!

[@peterw2880]

@@musicboy2003 an offshoot of the Midwest emo scene. Dubbed “math rock” bc it tends to employ a lot of unconventional time signatures and alternate guitar tunings. “Never Meant” by American Football is good starter song if you’re interested

[@DeadWhiteButterflies]

@@musicboy2003 Well you're in for a treat then! Math Rock is a roughly 25-ish year old genre, defined by bright intricate instrumental arrangements in odd time signatures. A good starter is if you search for the Japanese band "Toe" and look for a song called, "Path" . Absolutely astounding. The drummer in particular is mind blowing.

[@aligatorsandwitch72]

My mind is going toward doom metal

[@headlessspaceman5681]

Great lesson sir. I have heard this jangling tone so many times in so many songs and not realized the trick, but it makes so much sense now!

[@buddylewis2743]

Wow! You opened up a whole new world for me. Thanks!

[@gringogreen4719]

I would recommend a seperate guitar with a nut cut for Nashville tuning if you like it. Start with a spare guitar like Rhett uses to see if you like it. If you want to keep a guitar is Nashville tuning you will want a specific guitar with a nut cut for the light strings. Also the neck will need a slight setup as there is less tension on the guitar neck. I ended up picking up a Epiphone Les Paul SL where I had a custom nut put on it and also replaced the stock wraparound bridge with a Wilkinson wraparound bridge for feel as my main Epi Les Paul (Les Paul Special in TV Yellow). Its just a preference thing. The new bridge did add some more frequencies that the original did not have. I chose the SL because it was the least expensive and best looking guitar (Turquoise with Ace hardware black knobs) with single coils. Sounds great, 80% of the sound is the neck pickup, the bridge pickup is just very bright to where all those high frequencies are battling each other. I woukd recommend a Telecaster or a Stratocaster for Nashville tuning as well.

[@peterwelsh1932]

Or throw a Grover “Perfect Nut” over your Nut now and never worry about setup or nothin’ ever again😹

[@gringogreen4719]

@@peterwelsh1932 Stew Mac also makes a device that coverts regular guitars to slide guitars by going over the nut. But for Nashville tuning, a professional nut is the best.

[@peterwelsh1932]

@@gringogreen4719 I was making a joke, -BUTT you just reminded me: I’ve been buying those “zero-fret” conversion nuts for my guitars. Less than $20 a piece usually. CHECK THIS OUT: when you have a “Zero-Fret”, you don’t change the Nut Slots for different gauges! Yay! (I think I learned that from Stew Mac, et al) All that plus tone and tuning stability.

[@gringogreen4719]

@@peterwelsh1932 No nuts to butts here!😄 I knew you were Joshing me!

[@ModernGolfer]

After watching this, definitely going to set up one electric and one acoustic in Nashville tuning. Thanks a million, Rhett, great lesson! 👍

[@Niinsa62]

Perfect timing! Earlier this week a friend asked me if I used Nashville tuning!

[@riclrk9947]

Been playing 40 years and didn't know this tuning,thanks,definitely trying it out...

[@potatoheadhaoy]

When you start experimenting with voicings like maj7, or m7add9, or a m11/maj13, things really start getting interesting in Nashville tuning

[@stephenlawson3161]

I have a Taylor GS-Mini that I keep in Nashville tuning. Face it, the Mini is a small guitar with not a lot of tone, but mine really sparkles as a high string guitar. It's fun to mess around on and it sounds great in the mix with a standard tuned guitar.

[@longhair-dontcare9983]

Thank you, Rhett. This is a great video. I've heard of "Nashville Tuning" me being a country guy, but never knew what it was until today. Strangely enough, I put this string arrangement on an instrument years ago. I did this to achieve the same results you were going for. It's a small word after all!

[@howardmakely2169]

Thanks for the info. Can't wait to try it.

[@rogeranderson6688]

Love this Rhett. Pat Metheny uses Nashville tuning to great effect in Phase Dance and Sueno Con Mexico for starters. He really explores the use of close voicings to create some unique textures.

[@SLO100GUY]

The secret to playing ‘Hey You’ by Floyd. People try all day with their capos and equations scribbled on chalkboards. This is the way.

[@markbluemel9057]

And Comfortably Numb...

[@jasongoddard819]

@@markbluemel9057 ?? "Comfortably Numb" isn't that difficult in standard tuning (Well, except for the solo) so why would you change it up? I got lucky with "Hey You" in that I learned pretty early about the tuning used from an old guitar magazine. I've seen many "transcriptions" through the years in standard tuning and they aren't even close to correct. Even on the rare occasions where they get the notes correct, it's impossible to get that flowing sound. One of these days I'll buy another guitar just for this tuning and finally learn to play it.

[@shawnmann9491]

Rhett, This was very informative, and the Crene-sickle is looking and sounding very sweet!

[@vikingrobot4179]

Right up my alley. I have several guitars set up in various tunings to break the monotony. I can definitely have fun with this. Yes I’m an intermediate player and always experimenting. My Daughter got me a banjo guitar and I’ve been having fun with that as well in standard guitar tuning.

[@timmackenzie8145]

Definitely interesting, and something I’d like to try. As a more rock oriented player I think it would be useful. I have to wonder what a Nashville strung guitar and a baritone guitar would sound like?

[@DaveGardoni]

Very interesting. I always look for this kind of voicing, especially in arpeggios, but in standard tuning you have strong limitations related to the tonality (basically, I can do this only in A and E major, and relative minors, using the B and e open and playing in between the 3rd and the 9th fret). Basically, Petrucci style. With this tuning it seems much more easy.

[@losferwords10]

Thanks for the great video Rhett!

[@paulholditch3402]

Wow! That is so cool! I’m gonna pick up some strings tomorrow! Thank you!!!