The "Jagged Tritone Bass" tuning is a highly unconventional and experimental setup for a six-string electric bass, as described by its original name, "All flat fifths A" and the apt description, "Freaky six string bass tuning." This tuning offers a unique and dissonant sonic palette, designed for players looking to explore extreme textures and extended range on their bass.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning is characterized by a dramatic, alternating pattern of A and D# notes across a very wide octave range. The term "flat fifths" refers to the core interval relationship between A and D# (enharmonically Eb), which is an augmented fourth or diminished fifth – known as a tritone. However, instead of a consistent stacking of this interval, the tuning introduces significant octave jumps, creating a "jagged" soundscape. The lowest string is a deep A1, while the highest reaches an astonishing D#5, pushing the instrument into registers typically associated with guitars or mandolins. This setup suggests a focus on creating atmospheric, experimental, or highly aggressive sounds, where traditional melodic and harmonic structures are less of a priority than raw sonic impact and tension. It's likely to appeal to genres such as avant-garde, industrial, doom metal, or cinematic scoring.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to A1, D#3, A2, D#4, A3, D#5. This creates an open chord that is essentially an A(dim5) (A, Eb) spread across multiple octaves. The prominent tritone interval between A and D# (Eb) is the defining characteristic, providing a strong sense of tension and dissonance. Due to the extreme octave leaps between adjacent strings, standard chord shapes will be largely impractical. However, this structure opens up possibilities for:

•  Dissonant Chord Voicings: By fretting notes on the A strings (6, 4, 2) and D# strings (5, 3, 1), complex, multi-octave dissonant chords can be created.
•  Octave & Compound Interval Riffs: The repeating A and D# notes at different octaves lend themselves to powerful, thick octave riffs and arpeggios that emphasize the tritone.
•  Unison Harmonies: Playing the same fret across all A strings or all D# strings will produce unison notes spread across vast octaves, creating a dense, layered sound.
•  Extended Range Exploration: The unusually high tuning of the upper strings, combined with the low A1, offers a massive pitch range for intricate lead lines or complex polyphonic textures.

This tuning will require significant adjustment for players accustomed to standard bass tunings, both in terms of technique and string gauge selection.

How to Tune

To achieve the Jagged Tritone Bass tuning, adjust each string from its standard tuning as follows. Please note the significant drops in pitch for most strings, which may require careful attention or different string gauges to maintain optimal tension and intonation:

•  String 6 (Lowest String): Tune down 7 semitones to A1. Caution: Tuning down 7 semitones is a significant drop (exceeds 4 semitones). Consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal performance and to avoid buzzing.
•  String 5: Tune down 6 semitones to D#3. Caution: Tuning down 6 semitones is a significant drop (exceeds 4 semitones). Consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal performance and to avoid buzzing.
•  String 4: Tune down 5 semitones to A2. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant drop (exceeds 4 semitones). Consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal performance and to avoid buzzing.
•  String 3: Tune down 4 semitones to D#4. Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a notable drop. Consider adjusting string gauge if you experience excessive looseness or buzzing.
•  String 2: Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
•  String 1 (Highest String): Tune down 1 semitone to D#5.