Tuning Analysis: Downtuned Gods Pee

This tuning, famously associated with the experimental rock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor, plunges your guitar into a deeply resonant and atmospheric soundscape. It's a significantly downtuned setup, centering around the key of A. This tuning evokes a massive, droning quality, perfect for post-rock, ambient, or experimental genres where low-end weight, sustained textures, and a profound sense of space are paramount. The extensive downtuning facilitates a heavy, expansive sonic palette, providing a unique canvas for sonic exploration.

Technical Observations

The open strings are tuned to A1-E2-G2-B2-E3-B3 (from thickest to thinnest). This creates a highly distinctive and unconventional intervallic structure across the strings:

• String 6 (A1) to String 5 (E2): Perfect 5th (P5)
• String 5 (E2) to String 4 (G2): Minor 3rd (m3)
• String 4 (G2) to String 3 (B2): Major 3rd (M3)
• String 3 (B2) to String 2 (E3): Perfect 4th (P4)
• String 2 (E3) to String 1 (B3): Perfect 5th (P5)

While not forming a single conventional open chord, the overall harmonic content strongly hints at an A minor 9 (A-B-E-G) without the 3rd (C), offering a suspended or ambiguous minor tonality. The lowest two strings, A1 and E2, form a powerful open fifth, providing a solid, resonant foundation that serves as an excellent drone or power chord. The notes E-G-B present on the middle and higher strings (G2-B2-E3) form an E minor triad, adding a melancholic texture and depth to the overall A-centric harmony. This unique structure lends itself to rich, sustained drones, intricate arpeggiated figures, and powerful, dense chords easily formed by barring across the neck, particularly when focusing on the interplay between A and E minor harmonies. Fingerings will feel significantly different from standard tuning, opening new creative avenues for composers and improvisers looking for a distinct sound.

How to Tune

This tuning involves substantial downward adjustments from standard E-A-D-G-B-E. For optimal tension, intonation, and to prevent string breakage, we strongly advise considering a heavier gauge string set, especially given the significant drops in pitch. Here's how to tune your guitar:

• String 6 (Low E to A1): Tune down 7 semitones.
• String 5 (A to E2): Tune down 5 semitones.
• String 4 (D to G2): Tune down 7 semitones.
• String 3 (G to B2): Tune down 8 semitones.
• String 2 (B to E3): Tune down 7 semitones.
• String 1 (High E to B3): Tune down 5 semitones.

Important Note: Movements exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down), as seen with several strings in this tuning, generally indicate that a different string gauge is advisable to maintain proper string tension, intonation, and to avoid potential issues with playability or string integrity. Always tune carefully and gradually.