About Drop C tuning
Drop C bass pairs with guitarists in Drop C: everything down a whole step, then the lowest string down another step to C. The open low C sits at 32.7 Hz — genuinely subwoofer territory.
Use a controlled pluck and expect the needle to take a moment on the open C; the 12th-fret harmonic (65 Hz) is often the steadier way to fine-tune. Heavier strings make a real difference this low.
Drop C tuning notes & frequencies (A4 = 440 Hz)
| String | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | C1 | 32.70 Hz |
| 3 | G1 | 49.00 Hz |
| 2 | C2 | 65.41 Hz |
| 1 | F2 | 87.31 Hz |
How to tune to Drop C from standard
- String 4 (E1): tune down 4 semitones to C1.
- String 3 (A1): tune down a whole step to G1.
- String 2 (D2): tune down a whole step to C2.
- String 1 (G2): tune down a whole step to F2.
After changing string tension this much, make a second tuning pass — the neck settles slightly and the first strings you tuned will have drifted.
String gauge advice
.050–.110 or heavier; consider a .115+ low string.
FAQ
What are the notes of Drop C tuning on bass guitar?
Drop C tuning is C1, G1, C2, F2 from the lowest string to the highest.
How do I tune my bass guitar to Drop C?
Starting from standard tuning: String 4 (E1): tune down 4 semitones to C1. String 3 (A1): tune down a whole step to G1. String 2 (D2): tune down a whole step to C2. String 1 (G2): tune down a whole step to F2. Use the tuner above — it highlights the string it hears and shows exactly how many cents you are from the target.
Is this tuner free and private?
Yes — no ads, no signup, and all audio is processed locally in your browser. Nothing is recorded or uploaded.
Embed this tuner
Add the Drop C tuner to your own site or blog post with an iframe:
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