Verbal Analysis

This "Jam Econo Open A" tuning, reportedly popularized by the Youtuber Jam Econo, creates a deeply resonant and somewhat melancholic soundscape. It's essentially an A minor chord across all open strings, providing a powerful, full-bodied foundation that feels heavy and brooding. This makes it particularly well-suited for slide guitar, blues, hard rock, or any genre where a thick, driving, and impactful sonic texture is desired. The substantial down-tuning across all strings contributes to a slacker string feel, often preferred for expressive bends and a darker tone. The open A minor gives you instant access to minor chords by simply barring across the fretboard, while major chords would require more specific, often unconventional, fingerings. The low C on the highest string adds a unique character, preventing it from being a straightforward open A major or even just a simple A minor power chord, giving it a distinctive voice.

Technical Analysis

The tuning configuration is a low A1-E2-A2-E3-A3-C4. This setup forms a complete A minor chord (A-C-E) across the open strings, featuring an emphasized root (A) and perfect fifth (E). Let's break down the intervals and structure:

• Root Tones (A): Strings 6 (A1), 4 (A2), and 2 (A3) are all tuned to A, providing a massive, octaval root foundation that adds immense depth and power.
• Perfect Fifths (E): Strings 5 (E2) and 3 (E3) are tuned to E, reinforcing the perfect fifth of the A minor chord.
• Minor Third (C): String 1 (C4) provides the crucial minor third interval, completing the A minor triad.

From the lowest string (A1), the intervals are: A1 (Root), E2 (Perfect 5th), A2 (Octave), E3 (Perfect 12th), A3 (Double Octave), C4 (Minor 17th). The consistent presence of A and E throughout the lower strings gives this tuning a strong, droning quality, while the C on the high string adds melodic potential. Barring across any fret will instantly yield a minor chord in that corresponding key (e.g., bar the 2nd fret for B minor). Simple shapes can also easily produce other common minor chords like E minor and D minor.

How to Tune

This tuning requires significant down-tuning from standard E-A-D-G-B-E. Please proceed with caution, especially with the larger drops. For movements of 4 semitones or more (up or down) from standard, a different string gauge is strongly advised to maintain proper tension and intonation.

• String 6 (Low E to A1): Tune down 7 semitones from E2 to A1. Caution: A different gauge string is strongly advised for this significant drop.
• String 5 (A to E2): Tune down 5 semitones from A2 to E2. Caution: A different gauge string is strongly advised for this significant drop.
• String 4 (D to A2): Tune down 5 semitones from D3 to A2. Caution: A different gauge string is strongly advised for this significant drop.
• String 3 (G to E3): Tune down 3 semitones from G3 to E3.
• String 2 (B to A3): Tune down 2 semitones from B3 to A3.
• String 1 (High E to C4): Tune down 4 semitones from E4 to C4. Caution: A different gauge string is strongly advised for this significant drop.

String 6: A1

String 5: E2

String 4: A2

String 3: E3

String 2: A3

String 1: C4