Verbal Analysis

This is a profoundly low and dark tuning for a 6-string electric bass, creating a massive sonic foundation. It takes a conventional 6-string bass setup and drops every string by more than an octave, resulting in an incredibly deep register. The uniform drop across all strings means that the relative intervals between them are maintained, preserving familiar fretboard shapes for scales and arpeggios, though everything is shifted down dramatically. The specific notes (A# D# G# C# F# A#) give it a slightly brooding or heavy character, leaning towards minor or suspended tonalities. It's excellent for heavy genres, extended range playing, or for a unique tonal color in any style where a deep, resonant sound is desired.

Technical Analysis

• Interval Structure: The tuning features a consistent sequence of perfect fourths (P4) for the first five strings (A#1-D#2-G#2-C#3-F#3), followed by a major third (M3) between the 2nd and 1st strings (F#3-A#3). This interval pattern (P4-P4-P4-P4-M3) closely mirrors standard guitar tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) but transposed significantly lower and applied to a 6-string bass, offering a familiar feel for guitarists.
• Open String Voicing: Strumming all open strings yields the notes A#1, D#2, G#2, C#3, F#3, A#3. This collection of notes includes A# (root), C# (minor 3rd), D# (perfect 4th/11th), F# (minor 6th/13th), G# (minor 7th). This strongly suggests an A# minor 7th chord with added 11th and 13th (A#m7(add11,13)) or a similar complex minor voicing. This makes it inherently suitable for playing in the key of A# minor or related modes.
• Chord Accessibility: While primarily a bass tuning, the consistent P4 intervals on the lower strings make movable power chords and common bass intervals (octaves, fifths) very intuitive across the fretboard. Triads and 7th chords can be formed using shapes similar to a standard guitar, with the top two strings' M3 interval allowing for familiar guitar-like voicings in the higher register. The extremely low register provides a massive sound for extended range chords, adding depth and thickness that can fill a significant amount of sonic space.

How to Tune

This tuning requires a very significant adjustment to your 6-string electric bass. Each string must be tuned down by a substantial 13 semitones (a full octave plus one half-step). This extreme drop will dramatically reduce string tension if using standard gauges. For optimal playability, intonation, and to prevent string floppiness, it is highly recommended to use much heavier gauge strings than typically used for standard bass tunings. Tuning down more than 4 semitones generally advises a different string gauge, and in this case, a 13-semitone drop makes it almost essential to consider specialized, heavier strings.

• String 6: Tune down 13 semitones to A#1
• String 5: Tune down 13 semitones to D#2
• String 4: Tune down 13 semitones to G#2
• String 3: Tune down 13 semitones to C#3
• String 2: Tune down 13 semitones to F#3
• String 1: Tune down 13 semitones to A#3

• String 6 (Lowest): A#1
• String 5: D#2
• String 4: G#2
• String 3: C#3
• String 2: F#3
• String 1 (Highest): A#3