Van Halen · 1991 · Studio album
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge tuning.
E Standard at concert pitch (A 440), measured on the CD. 4 of 11 songs are tuned differently.
Album tuning
E Standard
At concert pitch (A 440), measured on the CD.
MeasuredFrom tabs
Measured by TuneLit
At concert pitch
| Source | Offset | Equivalent A | Songs | Spread | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CD, Warner Bros. 9 26594-2 (US, 1991) | +3.6 ¢ | A 440.9 | 11 | +1.2 to +6.2 ¢ | High |
Before we measured, sources said: E Standard, with no pitch given (community).
A guitar-driven album in E Standard, with Runaround a half step down. TuneLit measured the US CD within about 4 cents of concert pitch (A ≈ 440.9); Spanked sits about 26 cents flat and Poundcake about 13 cents sharp.
11 songs · 4 tuned differently
Every song, ready to tune
Tune opens the tuner in that song's tuning, pitch included. Play along opens the song player set to that tuning, so the track plays in yours. What the labels mean
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Notes
The intro and parts of the solo are a Makita power drill held to the pickups; Wikipedia says producer Andy Johns had Eddie record the rhythm on 12-string, and two electric 12-strings sit under the main guitar. Measured about 13 cents sharp (A ≈ 443.3).
Community tabs put every song in E Standard except Runaround.
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2. Judgement Day
E StandardMeasured
Notes
On its own, this song measures sharper: CD +8.1 ¢. Tune uses the album's A 440.
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3. Spanked
Different pitch
E Standard −26 ¢Measured
Notes
The low, crunchy verse riff is played on a six-string bass guitar tuned like a guitar an octave lower (Ultimate Guitar's tab); the other guitars are in E Standard. Measured about 26 cents flat (A ≈ 433.5).
Community tabs put every song in E Standard except Runaround.
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4. Runaround
Different tuning
E♭ StandardMeasured
Notes
How to get there from the album's E Standard: Every string down a half step.
The album's one E♭ song: the tab's rhythm guitars are a half step down, and TuneLit's audio check hears the open E♭ string.
The tab's two rhythm guitars are in E♭ Standard; its solo part is written in E Standard.
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5. Pleasure Dome
E StandardMeasured
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6. In 'n' Out
Different pitch
E Standard −8 ¢Measured
Notes
Measured about 8 cents flat (A ≈ 437.9).
Community tabs put every song in E Standard except Runaround.
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7. Man on a Mission
E StandardMeasured
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8. The Dream Is Over
E StandardMeasured
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9. Right Now
E StandardMeasured
Notes
Built on Eddie's piano part.
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10. 316
E StandardMeasured
Notes
A short acoustic instrumental named after Wolfgang Van Halen's birthday, 16 March (Wikipedia).
On its own, this song measures sharper: CD +9.7 ¢. Tune uses the album's A 440.
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11. Top of the World
E StandardMeasured
Notes
Its riff first appeared at the end of Jump.
What the labels mean
- Measured
- TuneLit measured the pitch on an original CD or LP. The tuning name still comes from the sources.
- Official
- The band, a member, their producer or their guitar tech said it.
- Widely reported
- Trusted outlets, guides and tabs agree, but the band did not say it directly.
- From tabs
- From community tabs, or from players who tune along with the record.
- Disputed
- Sources disagree. The likeliest setting is shown; the notes name the other one.
Each song shows one label, the strongest it has, in this order. How we measure recordings →
Questions
What tuning is For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge in?
Van Halen recorded For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991) in E Standard at concert pitch (A 440), measured by TuneLit on the CD. 4 songs use other tunings or pitches, listed song by song on this page.
Why does For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge sound out of tune with my guitar?
Poundcake sits about 13 cents sharp (A ≈ 443), so a guitar tuned to A 440 clashes with it. The Tune buttons on this page set the tuner's reference to match the record, song by song, so you only tune the strings.