Tuning Analysis: Admiral Angry ADADGEE

Verbal Description

The "Admiral Angry ADADGEE" tuning is a monstrously low and aggressive 7-string setup, famously utilized by the band Admiral Angry on their album "Buster" and EP "A Fire To Burn Down The World." This tuning is designed for extreme sonic weight, essentially treating a 7-string guitar as a converted, extended-scale bass. As the band's description suggests, it's a sound that "hates you" – indicating a raw, powerful, and deeply unsettling aural experience. This setup is clearly tailored for very heavy genres, like deathcore, sludge, or extreme metal, where bone-rattling lows and dissonant textures are paramount. The unique unison tuning of the top two strings also suggests opportunities for unique drone effects and thick, layered lead work.

Technical Analysis

This 7-string tuning features a very deep range, starting at A0 (two octaves below standard low E). The full sequence of notes from lowest to highest is: A0, D1, A1, D2, G2, E3, E3.

• The Foundation (Strings 7-4): The lowest four strings (A0-D1-A1-D2) establish a very thick and resonant open voicing based around A and D. This 'ADAD' pattern allows for incredibly powerful and easily accessible open power chords. Strumming the lowest three strings (A0, D1, A1) provides a huge, deep A5 power chord with an added D, reminiscent of drop tunings but even lower. Barre chords across these lower strings will yield massive, root-four-root-four voicings, perfect for chugging riffs and driving rhythms.
• Mid-Range (String 3): The G2 string provides a relatively standard interval above the D2, maintaining some melodic or harmonic conventionality amidst the extreme lows.
• Unique Unison (Strings 2 & 1): Perhaps the most distinctive technical aspect of this tuning is the unison E3 on the top two strings. This opens up several creative avenues:
  • Thick Unison Sounds: Strumming these two strings together creates a naturally thick and almost chorus-like tone.
  • Drone and Pedals: One string can be used as a static drone while the other is bent or fretted, creating interesting dissonances or harmonic interplay.
  • Slide & Harmony: Playing unison slides or harmonized lines on these two strings could provide a unique texture for lead work or melodic fragments.

While not forming a conventional open major or minor chord, the tuning's structure heavily favors power chords and drone effects. Chords like open A5 (A0-A1-D2, or even A0-D1-A1-D2-G2 for an Aadd11 type sound) are readily available. The very low range makes traditional chord voicings difficult or impractical, pushing players towards two- or three-finger power chords, single-note riffs, and extensive palm-muting to articulate the low frequencies.

How to Tune

To achieve the Admiral Angry ADADGEE tuning, please follow these instructions carefully. The string numbers are listed from lowest pitch (thickest string) to highest pitch (thinnest string).

• String 7 (Lowest): Tune down 4 semitones to A0. Please note: Tuning down by 4 semitones is a significant adjustment. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised for optimal tension and tone.
• String 6: Tune down 4 semitones to D1. Please note: Tuning down by 4 semitones is a significant adjustment. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised for optimal tension and tone.
• String 5: Tune down 2 semitones to A1.
• String 4: Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 3: Tune down 2 semitones to G2.
• String 2: Tune up 2 semitones to E3.
• String 1 (Highest): Tune down 3 semitones to E3.

Always tune carefully and check your guitar's neck relief after such significant changes, especially when making large adjustments to string tension.