Verbal Analysis

This "Baritone 7 string Double Drop A" tuning offers a truly unique sonic landscape for your instrument. Designed for depth and resonance, characteristic of a baritone guitar, it introduces some highly distinctive elements. The term "Double Drop A" points to the lowest string being dropped to A (from what would typically be a B or C in a common baritone setup) and a recurring A in the middle and higher registers, contributing to a resonant and open quality. Additionally, the G string is dropped to F#, creating interesting harmonic possibilities. When all open strings are strummed together, they form a rich Dadd9 chord, offering a surprisingly lush and sophisticated sound right from the open position. This tuning encourages powerful, open voicings and provides a broad canvas for heavy riffing, intricate melodic lines, or complex harmonic textures. Players should note the unusual re-entrant nature where the 3rd string is pitched higher than the 2nd string, which opens up unique melodic and chordal approaches but may require some adaptation for familiar fingerings.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned as follows, from lowest (7th) to highest (1st) pitch:

• String 7 (A1) to String 6 (E2): A perfect fifth interval (7 semitones).
• String 6 (E2) to String 5 (A2): A perfect fourth interval (5 semitones).
• String 5 (A2) to String 4 (D3): A perfect fourth interval (5 semitones).
• String 4 (D3) to String 3 (F#4): This is an extremely wide interval of an octave and a major third (15 semitones). This vast pitch difference between adjacent strings is a defining characteristic of this tuning and could significantly impact string gauge choices for optimal tension and tone.
• String 3 (F#4) to String 2 (A3): This is a re-entrant interval where the 3rd string (F#4) is pitched higher than the 2nd string (A3) by a major third (4 semitones). This non-monotonic pitch order, where an ascending string number corresponds to a descending pitch, is a key and very unusual feature of this tuning.
• String 2 (A3) to String 1 (E4): A perfect fifth interval (7 semitones).

This tuning strategically places A notes at A1, A2, and A3, creating a strong, resonant fundamental. The open string set specifically outlines a Dadd9 chord (D-F#-A-E), providing a rich harmonic base. The combination of drop tunings, wide intervals, and the re-entrant string arrangement makes this a highly experimental and versatile tuning, capable of producing everything from deep, chugging riffs to airy, complex arpeggios that leverage its unique string relationships.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Baritone 7 string Double Drop A" tuning, follow these instructions for each string:

• String 7 (Low A): Tune down 2 semitones to A1.
• String 6: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E2.
• String 5: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
• String 4: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• String 3: Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• String 2: Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

Important Note on String Gauges: The individual string movements for this tuning are all within a generally safe range (no more than +/- 2 semitones from their implied starting pitches). However, due to the extremely wide interval between String 4 (D3) and String 3 (F#4) – an octave and a major third – and the re-entrant nature where String 3 (F#4) is significantly higher pitched than String 2 (A3), a specific string set optimized for these unique characteristics is strongly recommended. This will help ensure proper string tension, intonation, and comfortable playability across the entire range of this distinctive tuning.