The Complete Guide To Nashville Tuned Guitars, by Peach Music

Everything a guitar player, music producer, recording engineer or music aficionado might want to know about the Nashville guitar tuning? What is it? What are its benefits? Where have you heard it before?How do you play it? Can you convert your guitar? How do you record it? Including lots of recorded examples.
0:00 Intro
0:46 History
4:06 What is Nashville Tuning?
7:17 How to play a Nashville Tuned Guitar
9:28 Benefits of Nashville Tuning in Studio
12:14 How to Record a Nashville Tuned Guitar
17:40 Demonstration #1 - Solo Nashville Tuned Guitar
18:34 Demonstration #2 - Nashville + Standard = 12 String
19:35 Demonstration #3 - Microphone Comparison
24:17 Demonstration #4 - Nashville Tuning to add shimmer
Links Referenced In Video:
Nashville Tuning Strings From Sweetwater.com
www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...

[@andrewkoastephens210]

At first I thought, jeez how much is there to know? But as it turns out this video was full of great information all the way through! Thanks!!

[@PeachMusic_]

Fabulous, so happy that it proved useful

[@ZigbertD]

I read an interview with Mike Campbell of Tom Petty fame where he said they used Nashville tuning on pretty much everything they did with Jeff Lynne where they wanted a twelve string sound because it was easier to get a very precise picking sound than with an actual twelve string. If you think about it, when you pick a twelve string, the second string in the set is struck slightly later and the overall picking sound is less distinct. Doubling with Nashville tuning gave them greater clarity and precision.

[@PeachMusic_]

That’s exactly right. It can be very difficult with a 12 string to pick more complex parts…unless you’re Leo Kottke!

[@recordman555]

You're absolutely right. 12-string guitars are inherently prone to phase issues. Doubling a standard 6-string with a Nashville-tuned guitar omits this.

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

Keith Richards did the same thing on such Rolling Stones classics as "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Wild Horses," as well as Kansas' Kerry Livgren doing so on their biggest hit "Dust in the Wind." Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, however, also tuned the first E string of his acoustic guitar two octaves higher (from E2 up to E4, thus matching the standard tuning for the sixth string) when recording "Wish You Were Here."

[@JoeSykes1776]

Hey my brother I can't thank you enough for showing me this in a way that I can understand. I've researched this the last few days and had to re-watch the other videos to wonder what I was missing and you completely nailed it!! Thank you so much! I will follow you 👍 Joe Sykes from

[@harveymcdaniel9272]

I play a Squire Mini electric in Nashville tuning. Now I will put a set on an acoustic. Great video- thanks!

[@rw4170]

One of the most informative videos I've ever found on YT! I especially liked the history of the tuning. I love your "passion" for it all! 😊

[@PeachMusic_]

Wonderful compliment, so glad you enjoyed! Thank you!

[@recordman555]

This is an excellent presentation!

[@davidakulian]

Awesome comparisons! Thanks a lot! 🙂 It really does sound great in a mix.

[@younken24films]

Love the Nashville tuning sound and all the ways one can use it. Thanks for such a full explanation!

[@PeachMusic_]

Happy to hear that you found the information to be valuable!

[@julianbutler6298]

Bravo- this is so well prepared and so comprehensive - an excellent presentation on the topic!

[@Herschli]

Man! - what a well made contribution, thanks very much! 🙏

[@donkitch8743]

Thank you for such an informative posting! Just yesterday I installed a set, and today I found out a lot of good stuff!

[@arniebaird7852]

An excellent video which, (for me) contained detailed new information and ideas. Thanks!

[@johnbrown8740]

Best video about high tuning on KZbin.

[@rockinvida1960]

Great video…tons of useful information! Will be recording with a Nashville HS guitar tomorrow for the first time…looking forward to employing many of your suggestions…thank you!

[@protonman8947]

Great, well done video. Thank you.

[@PeachMusic_]

Thank you too!

[@sholland42]

The Nashville tuned guitars perplexed me my whole life on the classics you’ve listed, I had no clue, thank you.

[@badsine]

Awesome video man, thanks!

[@PeachMusic_]

Thanks ever so much, glad you enjoyed!

[@louieo.blevinsmusic4197]

Hey, fellow Georgian. Never once have heard of this and super happy to come across it as I’m currently recording an alt-country/Americana album. ‘Preciate! Also, I think The Rolling Stones wrote “Wild Horses” for Gram Parsons.

[@georgewhite1972]

This was a great video mate. Very intuitive 👍

[@PeachMusic_]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@PJ20201]

Great video!

[@MiscDotGeek]

I just picked up a Yamaha F310 for this very purpose. Strings will be here tomorrow. I was going to order the Nashville tuning pack but it was going to take several weeks to get here. So I bought a pack of 12 string strings and will use the other half for another guitar. I appreciated the history and the information about recording. I think I'm going to be one of those guys who records everything on an SM57 lol. That was a nice little nugget from this that I didn't expect. I have never recorded at home so it'll be a fun journey. Definitely subscribing!

[@write2mel]

This is awesome ... it's so wonderful

[@PeachMusic_]

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed!

[@Studio_Papillon]

Very useful video Bravo

[@Redwane-Music]

Great video

[@tommccarthy1443]

Excellent tutorial.

[@PeachMusic_]

Many thanks!

[@JasonFerguson1283]

Thanks! Sweet Taylor!

[@PeachMusic_]

Thanks, its a great guitar!

[@U2WB]

In addition to the ability to pan and process two guitars separately, the fact that they were played independently introduces time differences. Even if you played the exact same thing on both guitars there would be a varying doubling effect by virtue of the slight differences in the 2 performances. Excellent and informative video. I really enjoyed this. Thank you !

[@SKOVDEPETE]

What an extraordinary "thrilling" and informative review. I had never heard of Nashville Tuning until My Brother-in Law mentioned it just this week. We play together when We can. This will be great fun for us. Happy Strings to You :-)

[@DTGuitarTech]

Great video. I got a lot out of this. I am probably going to be setting up an electric rather than an acoustic to Nashville strings but the concepts are the same. Thanks again 👍

[@PeachMusic_]

Totally, that works really well too!

[@paullock5294]

As someone new to this particular type of tuning. This is a great informative video on Nashville tuning, the samples made learning about and understanding Nashville tuning, to a beginner like me very clear and easy to understand. Thank you .

[@PeachMusic_]

Hi Paul, delighted you found the information useful!

[@ThompaThelin]

exactly what I was looking for. thanks a bunch, you got a new subscriber :) take care

[@PeachMusic_]

Delighted to hear! You just inspired me to get back to making more content!

[@mikeg3660]

Great info…thanks

[@PeachMusic_]

My pleasure, glad you enjoyed!

[@glenneadie5533]

Thank you for the info. I like the Greg Lake acoustic ballads and I can see Nashville tuning being helpful with them. The KZbin Shutup & Play lesson C’est La Vie led me to search for Nashville tuning info and Google led me to this video.

[@PeachMusic_]

Oh I'm gonna go check those out. Glad you found me! Thanks for the tip.

[@richardsisk1770]

Excellent tips. As a former 12 string player this makes so much sense! A lot easier to bend notes too! Thanks. Be well.

[@PeachMusic_]

Totally! Its really fun to get into. BTW, I caught Leo Kottke the other night here in Atlanta...maybe the best 12 string player ever!

[@suchitputhalat4796]

great video Sir.

[@PeachMusic_]

Thank you kindly

[@spiroslefkofridis7461]

thx !!! a lot !!!

[@thecentralscrutinizerr]

Nice video. Bought me some N-ville strings.

[@PeachMusic_]

Good choice!

[@rikemilson3366]

Thanks!

[@PeachMusic_]

My pleasure, thanks for watching!

[@Dmanflyin1]

Loved the Mic'ing combos and variable's at the end, for that sonic slice of tones you can zero in on for standard and Nashville guitars. If you would like to make the changes later in mixdown, after the initial tracks were record for each guitar and mic. I don't do recording currently just live mixing, but the layering arrangement possibilities have me looking at some songs very differently to make songs maybe pop just a little better with shimmer and sparkle. Thx ~ D

[@PeachMusic_]

Exactly! I hope you’re inspired to explore the possibilities more!

[@markharwood7573]

Nice one. Is anyone else out there trying a combination of Nashville & open G on a 6-string banjo? I surely can't be the only one to think of that.

[@andrekovacs7954]

Thank you very much for sharing this awesome video! Sorry for deviating a bit on the subject, but do you know what would be the best approach to try to fake the nashville tuning sound for chords using standard strings? I would like to use it in just a few particular parts with both my acoustic and electric guitars, but I don’t think it’s worth the hassle to have to retune each instrument. Cheers

[@redwolf0849]

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Free Fallin'

[@redwolf0849]

I have a nice little offshore made Breedlove with mediocre bottom end and was thinking of trying this. Thanks.

[@PeachMusic_]

Yes, good one!

[@PeachMusic_]

@@redwolf0849 go for it!

[@tymime]

Wish there was more info on which songs they recorded in Nashville that used this tuning...

[@gcoudert]

14:06 I know it's a matter of taste but I would personally angle the mic *away* from the soundhole. Great video; thanks for sharing!

[@PeachMusic_]

I've done it both ways. That Taylor sounds a bit brittle that way, so I try and get some of the tone coming from the sound hole, but from an angle. Cheers!

[@Redwane-Music]

I don't understand I ordered a nashvile tuning set and when I got them the G 3d is also Wounded like the E 6th and it doesn't sound like this. The G sounds 1 octave lower😒 After 3 months I am not really to convinced with the sound Especially that when I press on a tunned A string on the 2nd fret to play a B I get a sharp sound, I just throws me off each time. I even tried to adjust the Rode, it doesn't fix the problem I ended up swaping the A string with the wounded G string, now it is so tight I feel like it will break any moment, the G string is 1 octave lower to your tuning I realize. By the way I also have the D'Addario high strun/nashville tunning .010-0.27. Phosphor bronze EJ38H Do you think the Set is not supposed to come with 2 wounded strings ? I have been playing guitar for 45 years and I am just confused can you please help me figure this out ?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Peach Music If you tune the instrument down a Half Step to Eb Nashville Tuning (basically Nashville Tuning transposed down a Half Step) & then the High G will break less easily cause the tension is Less, & the coolest thing about this lower tuning is that the High notes are easier to sing. Optionally you can use an Octave4Plus .006 B4 & now you're in "New Nashville Tuning" which is an Updated version of Nashville Tuning that has a High B4 (a step above the High A on a Tenor Guitar) giving you some happy extra-high jangle. Here's C Nashville Tuning:kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnLWhmd8fputsNE which is Nashville Tuning transposed down a Major Third (Gauges from Treble to Bass are 13, 17p/17w, 11, 15, 24, 32) & the sound is a good halfway point between a Standard Tuned Guitar & a Nashville Tuned Guitar that are tuned to E.

[@PeachMusic_]

Great stuff! Can’t wait to try it all!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@PeachMusic_ This might make it easier to sing the High notes w/o hurting yourself & that's the handiest tip.

[@kalvino67]

What does the p and w stand for in relation to the 17s?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@kalvino67 P is Plain Strings & W is wound strings, it's been like that when they were first built

[@stevefiorito5379]

Nashville tuning like alternate tunings opens up an entirely new world for the guitar player. I am shopping for the right acoustic to Nashville string on. I have heard that the shorter scale, 3/4 size guitars work better partially because how much tension will be on the G String ... and a loud, boomy acoustic is not needed. I would be interested in hearing you speak on that topic ... if you can find the time.

[@alandale5484]

You just helped me pick the guitar Im turning into Nashville tuning. tyvm

[@PeachMusic_]

Sorry to reply 5 months late, but this is a great question! I've never found the tension on the G to be a problem. That said, I'd be interested to hear how it goes with a 3/4 scale...seems like the strings would feel kinda floppy, no?

[@curtlynd842]

I'm in! Do you recommend "light" or "medium" acoustic strings? Would the sound be noticably different?

[@PeachMusic_]

Neither. You're basically pulling the high strings out of a 12 string pack. So, you can take those gauges to the store and buy the strings individually, or some string manufacturers make pre-packaged Nashville sets. Good Luck!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

That tuning was also used in the song Lean on me by Bill Withers.

[@PeachMusic_]

Love Bill Withers!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@PeachMusic_ Here's the Music (SATB Score & ShowTrax CD for this cover:www.jwpepper.com/Lean-on-Me/10083963.item#/) & it's in the Key of A Major which is a really friendly Key for Guitar.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@PeachMusic_ I have a Nashville Tuned Guitar but I tune mine down a Half Step so that it's easier for me to sing the high notes w/o pushing my vocal.

[@stephenbouchelle7706]

Sounds like it wouldn’t work for single note blues type leads (weird high pitch on the G string), but it sounds nice in a finger picking pattern as well as strumming.

[@PeachMusic_]

True, you will not get your standard bluesy sound. But you may get something different and even better!

[@royalcup6156]

How is it tuned?

[@burtreynolds2969]

Would a Nashville tuned acoustic guitar blend well with a standard tuned electric guitar in a recording???

[@PeachMusic_]

Yes! There is a section in the video about this. It works great because you can each instrument, making for a very spatial 12 string like sound!

[@alanfloyd3205]

Has anyone Nashville tuned a Taylor GS-mini?

[@randalclarke5487]

The Everly Brothers didn't start recording in Nashville with Chet Atkins until 1957, not 1953

[@SteveRayDarrell]

what's the song at @17:50 ?

[@PeachMusic_]

Hi Angelo, it's just a quick little figure I wrote to demonstrate the technique, not from any existing song that I'm aware of. Cheers!

[@SteveRayDarrell]

@@PeachMusic_ ok thanks sounds super cool

[@yankeejib]

Good stuff. Stop bashing your guitars against each other. Ouch.

[@aaroncrawford5638]

I thought the Nashville strung guitar sounded great with the SM57

[@PeachMusic_]

I agree. SM57 is a wonderful tool. There's a reason its the bread and the butter in so many studios.

[@woomi177]

Why is the sound so cold

[@PeachMusic_]

I'm not sure which should you mean? There were a number of sonic examples in the video presented with a number of different microphones. As I mentioned in the video, if you find the sound too bright, you can warm it up by recording with a ribbon microphone.

[@woomi177]

I meant the guitar itself. It sounds very thin to me. Or is that intentional

[@softlightsymphonyband]

@@woomi177 That’s the point. you have far Less low and mid frequencies because the strings are higher in octave. You want this so that in a full mix it sits in its own sonic pocket and doesn’t just blend in with any guitar part with standard strings. You can then blend the two sounds in the mix to get a really full sound.

[@woomi177]

@@softlightsymphonyband what do you mean behind full mix?

[@PeachMusic_]

@@woomi177 Yes, that is the intent. It's typically a layer instrument. If you watch through the video, I'll show you some applications in recording and also some different mic techniques. Have fun!

[@krisspkriss]

"Let me, the expert, explain art of recording..." all while on a crappy mic with no compression, no normalization, too much room reverb, no eq, and... I barely passed Public Speaking 101. FFS, do it right or don't do it at all.

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

We'll send you a lifetimes supply of pickled hog knuckles if you make a video showing how it's done.

[@krisspkriss]

@@BryanClark-gk6ie Draw up the contract and it is a done deal. I love me some pickled hog hocks. The sound quality sucked so bad that i find it odd you are defending him. For an apples to apples comparison, look at Signals Music Studios' KZbin videos. "How you do one thing, is how you do all things." While this is a truism that is definitely debateable, it sums up how I feel about the video. All I know about Peach Music is this video and it left me questioning their work ethic and skill set. I doesn't say nice things. Just like this brief exchange is the only information you have on who I am. You might think I am a grumpy curmudgeon that is a tad asinine. You would be correct. The video was bad regardless though.