C# Standard Guitar
Three half steps down from standard. Common in heavy metal and hard rock.
C# Standard sits three half steps below E Standard. It shares territory with Eb Standard fans who want to go one step further. Some hard rock and heavy metal bands from the 80s and 90s used this tuning for a heavier-than-standard sound without the extreme low end of full C Standard.
Chord shapes and scales work exactly as in E Standard, just transposed down. The feel is noticeably looser than standard, which suits players who rely on wide bends and heavy vibrato.
C# Standard in Context
This tuning is less common than its neighbors (D Standard above, C Standard below), but several notable recordings sit here. String gauge around .011 or .012 on the high E keeps things balanced. The lower tension makes it comfortable for long practice sessions on heavy material.