Tuning Overview: Widow's Custom Drop-A

This unique tuning, known as "Widow's Custom Drop-A", is a bespoke Drop-A variant specifically devised for the artist Widow. It is engineered for theatrical and industrial metal, designed to facilitate orchestral layering and complex textures. The primary purpose is to combine the crushing riffing capabilities of Drop-A on the lower strings with a high A on the top string, enabling chant-like hooks, droning unisons, and dissonant clusters to cut through dense rhythm guitars. It's particularly effective for clipped, percussive phrasing and creating "manic reflection" textures, while leaving sonic headroom for additional orchestral strings and choir arrangements. For optimal results, this tuning is best implemented on baritone or multi-scale instruments, or a standard 6-string guitar set up with heavy bass strings and an extra-light treble string. A proper nut and intonation tweak is highly recommended to ensure playability and intonation across the wide range of string tensions. This tuning represents an original design from Widow.

Technical Analysis

The open strings for Widow's Custom Drop-A are tuned as follows:

• String 6 (Low E): A1 (Root)
• String 5 (A): E2 (Perfect 5th above A1)
• String 4 (D): A2 (Octave above A1, Perfect 4th above E2)
• String 3 (G): D3 (Perfect 4th above A2)
• String 2 (B): G3 (Perfect 4th above D3)
• String 1 (High E): A3 (Major 2nd above G3, Octave above A2)

This tuning strategically grounds itself with a powerful low 'A' (A1), providing a robust foundation for heavy riffing. The lowest three strings (A1-E2-A2) form a formidable A5 power chord, characteristic of drop tunings, delivering immense weight and resonance. A notable feature is the sequence of perfect fourths between strings 5, 4, 3, and 2 (E2-A2-D3-G3). This consistent interval structure across the middle strings greatly simplifies chord shapes, making them horizontally transferable and intuitive for lead lines and unique voicings. The high 'A' (A3) on the first string complements the lower 'A's, enabling strong unison or octave drones, as well as complex melodic and harmonic interplay. The overall sonic palette is deep and resonant, perfect for crafting both monolithic rhythms and intricate, atmospheric soundscapes, with the open strings providing rich harmonic possibilities for dissonance and sustain.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Widow's Custom Drop-A" tuning from standard E Standard tuning, you will need to adjust your string tension significantly. Please follow these instructions carefully and consider the important advice on string gauges:

• String 6 (Low E to A1): Tune down 7 semitones.
• String 5 (A to E2): Tune down 5 semitones.
• String 4 (D to A2): Tune down 5 semitones.
• String 3 (G to D3): Tune down 5 semitones.
• String 2 (B to G3): Tune down 4 semitones.
• String 1 (High E to A3): Tune down 7 semitones.

Important Note on String Gauge: All strings in this tuning are detuned significantly, with each string being lowered by 4 semitones or more. Such substantial drops in pitch necessitate the use of a heavier gauge string set to maintain adequate tension, prevent fret buzz, and ensure proper intonation. We highly recommend using a baritone guitar, a multi-scale instrument, or a standard 6-string set up with specially selected heavy bass strings and an extra-light treble string. A professional luthier should perform a proper nut and intonation adjustment to prevent potential damage to your instrument and optimize playability.

String 6: A1
String 5: E2
String 4: A2
String 3: D3
String 2: G3
String 1: A3