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Bass
Drop B Bass Tuning Online
Drop B bass tuning notes:
B0F#1B1E2
This Drop B bass tuner is preset to BF#BE tuning. Tune B0-F#1-B1-E2 from low B to high E for metalcore, modern metal, and matching Drop B guitar parts.
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Learn Bass Drop B After You Tune
Use this page as a short practice route: tune to B0-F#1-B1-E2, hear how the open strings behave, then move into songs, related tunings, and chord shapes that make Bass Drop B useful.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Best approached as a intermediate bass tuning.
Songs
0
Start with chord shapes and related tunings while the song list grows.
Best for
tuning Drop B bass online, using a Drop B bass tuner, checking B-F#-B-E bass notes, 4-string low B riffs
First practice targets
This tuning does not have a song list yet. Start by learning the target notes, then compare nearby tunings and chord shapes.
Open the chord libraryRelated guides
Bass guitar tuning guideCompare Drop B bass with standard, Drop C, 5-string, and extended-range bass tunings.All drop tuningsSee how Drop B bass relates to Drop B guitar, Drop C bass, and lower guitar tunings.Tuning stability tipsKeep the low B stable with heavier strings, gradual tuning, and setup checks.
About Bass Drop B Tuning
Drop B bass tuning for 4-string bass (B-F#-B-E) lowers the whole bass one and a half steps, then drops the lowest string another whole step to B0. It gives bass players a low B that can match Drop B guitar riffs while keeping the root-fifth-octave relationship on the lowest three strings.
Use this Drop B bass tuning online page as a B-F#-B-E note check: 4th string B0, 3rd string F#1, 2nd string B1, and 1st string E2.
Drop B bass is common for metalcore, modern metal, hardcore, and heavy rock songs where the guitar part lives in Drop B. It is also a useful alternative to a 5-string bass when you need a low B on a 4-string instrument.
Because B0 is very low for a normal 4-string bass, string tension and setup matter more than they do in Drop D or Drop C. Heavier strings, a stable nut slot, and careful intonation help the low B stay clear instead of sounding floppy or sharp under attack.
Target tuning
B-F#-B-E
Drop B bass tuning notes from the 4th string to the 1st string.
From standard
EADG to BF#BE
Tune every string down one and a half steps, then drop the lowest string one more whole step.
Lowest note
B0
A low B at 30.87 Hz, the same pitch class as the lowest string on a standard 5-string bass.
Bass Drop B Tuning Notes
From lowest to highest: B0-F#1-B1-E2
4th string (low B)
30.87 Hz
Low B, the root note for Drop B bass riffs and the string most likely to need a heavier gauge.
3rd string (F#)
46.25 Hz
F# string, a perfect fifth above the low B and part of the open B5 shape.
2nd string (B)
61.74 Hz
B string, one octave above the low B and useful for checking the tuning by ear.
1st string (E)
82.41 Hz
E string, one and a half steps below standard G for upper-register lines in the lower tuning.
Recommended String Gauges for Bass Drop B
.060-.125 or .065-.130
Drop B bass usually needs heavier strings than standard 4-string tuning. A .060-.125 set can work on many long-scale basses, while hard pickers, shorter-scale instruments, or very low action may prefer .065-.130. The low B is the key string to watch for buzz, wobble, and intonation drift.
Common Chords in Bass Drop B
Open B Root
Use the open 4th string as a low B foundation for Drop B guitar riffs and songs in B.
B Octave Check
Play the open 4th string and open 2nd string together to confirm the low B and octave B are locked in.
One-Finger Fifths
Fret the 4th and 3rd strings at the same fret for easy root-fifth movement across heavy riffs.
Drop B Pedal Riffs
Alternate fretted notes on the upper strings with the open low B for tight metalcore and modern metal bass lines.
How to Tune to Bass Drop B (B0-F#1-B1-E2)
1
Select the Bass Drop B preset and start from standard bass tuning: E-A-D-G.
2
Tune every string down one and a half steps first: E1 to C#1, A1 to F#1, D2 to B1, and G2 to E2.
3
Lower the 4th string one more whole step from C#1 to B0.
4
Check the target notes from low to high: B-F#-B-E.
5
Play the open low B and open 2nd-string B together to hear the octave, then recheck the low B after a few minutes because thick strings can settle slowly.
Bass Drop B Tuning FAQ
Quick answers for choosing strings, learning songs, and practicing this tuning.
What notes are in Drop B bass tuning?
Drop B bass tuning is B-F#-B-E from lowest to highest string. With exact octaves, the notes are B0, F#1, B1, and E2.
How do I tune a bass to Drop B?
Start from standard bass tuning, tune every string down one and a half steps to C#-F#-B-E, then lower the 4th string one more whole step from C#1 to B0. The final notes are B0, F#1, B1, and E2.
Is Bass Drop B the same as BF#BE tuning?
Yes. Bass Drop B and BF#BE tuning refer to the same 4-string bass notes: B-F#-B-E from lowest to highest string.
Is Drop B bass the same as Drop B guitar?
They use the same drop-tuning idea, but not the same string set. Drop B bass is B-F#-B-E on 4-string bass, while Drop B guitar is B-F#-B-E-G#-C# on 6-string guitar.
Do I need different strings for Drop B bass?
Yes in most cases. Drop B bass is very low for a 4-string, so a heavier set such as .060-.125 or .065-.130 usually keeps the low B tighter and easier to intonate.
What is Bass Drop B tuning best for?
Bass Drop B is especially useful for tuning Drop B bass online, using a Drop B bass tuner, checking B-F#-B-E bass notes. It changes the way open strings and chord shapes feel, so spend a few minutes listening to the open strings before learning full songs.
Is Bass Drop B tuning good for beginners?
Bass Drop B is an intermediate tuning. Beginners can use it, but it helps to learn the target notes first and start with slower songs before trying fast chord changes.
What songs use Bass Drop B tuning?
Bass Drop B is used for a range of alternate-tuning arrangements. Start by practicing simple chord shapes and related tunings before moving to full songs.