ZZ Top · 1996 · Studio album
Rhythmeen tuning.
E Standard at concert pitch (A 440), measured on the CD. 3 of 12 songs are tuned differently.

Album tuning
E Standard +4 ¢
At concert pitch (A 440), measured on the CD.
MeasuredDisputed
Measured by TuneLit
At concert pitch
| Source | Offset | Equivalent A | Songs | Spread | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CD, RCA 74321 39466 2 (EU, 1996) | +4.1 ¢ | A 441 | 12 | +1.3 to +5.4 ¢ | High |
Before we measured, sources said: E Standard, with no pitch given (disputed).
Gibbons's low-tuned album, about 4 ¢ sharp (A ≈ 441). The title track and Prettyhead are tabbed in C Standard and Loaded in E♭ Standard; the rest falls back on E Standard, but Gibbons spoke of D, B and low A tunings and some songs probably sit lower than listed.
12 songs · 3 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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1. Rhythmeen
Different tuning
C Standard +4 ¢Measured
Notes
How to get there from the album's E Standard: Every string down 4 half steps.
Tabbed in C Standard, two whole steps down; TuneLit's semitone check agrees.
The main tab is in C Standard (C F B♭ E♭ G C), two whole steps down, in line with Gibbons's account of the album's low tunings.
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2. Bang Bang
E Standard +4 ¢Measured
Notes
No tab. TuneLit hears much of the bass line on a low B, below a standard bass's open E, which fits Gibbons's account of a B tuning for this album; the guitar may be tuned down too. Check by ear.
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3. Black Fly
E Standard +4 ¢Measured
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4. What's Up with That
E Standard +4 ¢Measured
Notes
TuneLit's reading is weak and points about 14 ¢ flat; the button keeps the album's value.
On its own, this song measures flatter: CD −14.3 ¢ (medium confidence). Tune uses the album's +4 ¢.
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5. Vincent Price Blues
E Standard +4 ¢Measured
Notes
TuneLit hears the bass reaching a low D, below a standard bass; the guitar may be in a D tuning. Check by ear.
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6. Zipper Job
E Standard +4 ¢Measured
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7. Hairdresser
E Standard +4 ¢Measured
Notes
TuneLit hears the bass reaching a low D, below a standard bass; the guitar may be in a D tuning. Check by ear.
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8. She's Just Killing Me
E Standard +4 ¢Measured
Notes
The most-viewed tab of the album, in E Standard; TuneLit's semitone check agrees.
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9. My Mind Is Gone
E Standard +4 ¢Measured
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10. Loaded
Different tuning
E♭ Standard +4 ¢Measured
Notes
How to get there from the album's E Standard: Every string down a half step.
Its only tab, a machine transcription, is in E♭ Standard; TuneLit's semitone check agrees.
The only tab, a machine transcription (Songsterr AI), is in E♭ Standard.
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11. Prettyhead
Different tuning
C Standard +4 ¢Measured
Notes
How to get there from the album's E Standard: Every string down 4 half steps.
Tabbed in C Standard like the title track; TuneLit's semitone check agrees. It measures about 11 ¢ sharp, close enough to the album to share its value.
The one tab (little viewed) is in C Standard, like the title track.
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12. Hummbucking, Pt. 2
E Standard +4 ¢Measured
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 Rhythmeen in?
ZZ Top recorded Rhythmeen (1996) in E Standard at concert pitch (A 440), measured by TuneLit on the CD. Rhythmeen and Prettyhead use C Standard +4 ¢; Loaded uses E♭ Standard +4 ¢.