Tuning Analysis: 8 strings Drop A

The "8 strings Drop A" tuning transforms your 8-string guitar into a powerhouse for heavy music genres, characterized by an exceptionally low and resonant foundation. This tuning diverges significantly from standard tunings, prioritizing a deep, guttural tone with extended low-end capabilities.

Technical Breakdown:

• Instrument Type: 8-String Guitar
• Overall Range: Spanning from an incredibly low A0 up to A3, this tuning offers a vast sonic landscape, ideal for extended-range exploration.
• Drop A Foundation: The lowest three strings (A0, E1, A1) establish a clear Drop A power chord, perfect for crushing riffs and open-string chugging. This structure provides a thick, open A power chord (A-E-A) at the lowest register, mirroring the ease of Drop D on a 6-string but with two additional lower strings.
• Unique Intervals: Beyond the initial Drop A section, the tuning introduces a mix of perfect fourths and a major third. Specifically, the progression from A1-D2-G2-C3 are perfect fourths, followed by a major third from C3 to E3, and then another perfect fourth from E3 to A3. This creates distinct harmonic possibilities that encourage innovative chord voicings and melodic lines, moving away from entirely consistent intervals.

Verbal Observations & Open Chord Possibilities:

Verbally, this tuning feels incredibly heavy, dark, and massive. The A0 offers an almost sub-bass rumble, providing an immense wall of sound that can shake foundations. It's a prime choice for aggressive, downtuned metal subgenres, instrumental progressive metal, and even experimental soundscapes where extreme low-end is desired. The wide range also allows for soaring lead lines over a deep rhythmic foundation.

Due to the open string configuration and the strategic placement of notes, several chord voicings become readily available or are strongly implied without complex fretting:

• A Power Chord: The open A0, E1, A1 on strings 8, 7, and 6 instantly give you a massive A power chord, perfect for heavy riffing and chugging.
• A Minor 7 (Am7): With open strings A0, E1, A1, D2, G2, C3, E3, A3, you have the notes A, C, E, G available across different octaves. An open A minor 7 chord (A-C-E-G) can be easily constructed or implied by striking multiple open strings, offering a rich harmonic foundation.
• Extended Drop-Style Riffing: The 'drop' nature of the lowest strings (A-E-A) makes one-finger power chords incredibly easy, extending the concept of Drop D power chords to an 8-string format for unparalleled heaviness.
• Unique Barred Voicings: The irregular intervals on the higher strings (specifically the major third between C3 and E3) mean that simple barred chord shapes will produce unique, often richer or more complex voicings compared to standard tunings, encouraging creative exploration.

This tuning is not for the faint of heart or those seeking traditional sounds. It demands a powerful amplifier, suitable speakers, and a player ready to explore the deepest trenches of guitar tonality.

How to Tune to 8 strings Drop A:

To achieve the "8 strings Drop A" tuning, you will be significantly lowering the pitch of all your strings from a standard 8-string F# Standard tuning (F#1 B1 E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4). Due to the extensive changes in pitch, especially the lower strings, it is highly recommended to consider using heavier gauge strings to maintain proper tension, intonation, and to prevent string floppiness. Generally, tuning a string more than 4 semitones up or down often necessitates a change in string gauge for optimal playability and sound.

• String 8: From an implied F#1, Tune down 9 semitones to reach A0. This is a very substantial drop; a much heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 7: From an implied B1, Tune down 7 semitones to reach E1. This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 6: From an implied E2, Tune down 7 semitones to reach A1. This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 5: From an implied A2, Tune down 7 semitones to reach D2. This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 4: From an implied D3, Tune down 7 semitones to reach G2. This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 3: From an implied G3, Tune down 7 semitones to reach C3. This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 2: From an implied B3, Tune down 7 semitones to reach E3. This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 1: From an implied E4, Tune down 7 semitones to reach A3. This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.

String 8: A0 (Lowest String)

String 7: E1

String 6: A1

String 5: D2

String 4: G2

String 3: C3

String 2: E3

String 1: A3 (Highest String)