The Double Drop A# tuning is an exceptionally low and heavy 8-string guitar tuning, designed for impactful and dissonant soundscapes, particularly suited for genres like djent, progressive metal, and extreme metal. While the original description conceptualizes it as "C Standard but the lowest string is tuned down a full step to A#0," the actual open notes reveal a more unique and intricate structure, moving beyond a simple standard drop configuration.

Technical Analysis

This 8-string tuning presents the open notes: A#1 - F1 - A#2 - D#3 - G#3 - C#4 - F3 - A#4, listed from the lowest (8th string) to the highest (1st string). The tuning is characterized by a very low A# root on the 8th string, providing a solid foundation for crushing riffs. A notable feature is the arrangement of strings 6 through 3 (A#2 - D#3 - G#3 - C#4), which are tuned in perfect fourths. This provides a familiar and playable interval structure across the middle range, facilitating power chords and scale runs typical of modern heavy music.

However, the inclusion of F1 on the 7th string (which is a major 6th below the 8th string's A#1) and F3 on the 2nd string (which is a minor 3rd below the 3rd string's C#4) introduces significant dissonance and unusual intervallic relationships. These unique placements suggest a tuning crafted for specific melodic motifs, jarring chord voicings, or percussive, almost textural applications, rather than traditional open chord playing.

Open Chords and Playability

Due to the distinct and often dissonant intervals between adjacent strings (especially involving strings 7 and 2), this tuning is not intended for strumming conventional open major or minor chords. Instead, its strength lies in:

• Low-end Power: The A#1 on the 8th string offers extreme low-end for heavy single-note riffs and chugging.
• Power Chords: Root-octave power chords are readily available using strings 8 (A#1), 6 (A#2), and 1 (A#4). The perfect fourth intervals on strings 6-3 also make it easy to form fretted power chords (root-5th-octave) with simple two-finger shapes.
• Unique Voicings: The F1 and F3 strings will require intentional use, enabling the creation of specific, often dissonant, chordal textures or leading tones in melodic passages that set this tuning apart.
• Riff-Oriented: This tuning excels in riff-based music, where the focus is on percussive attacks, palm-muted patterns, and single-note lines across the various registers.

How to Tune

Achieving this exceptionally low tuning requires significant string slack and careful adjustment. Given that all strings are tuned down by 6 or more semitones, a heavier gauge string set is strongly advised to maintain proper tension and intonation, and to prevent potential string damage.

• 8th String (Lowest): Tune down 8 semitones to A#1. Caution: This is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string.
• 7th String: Tune down 6 semitones to F1. Caution: This is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string.
• 6th String: Tune down 6 semitones to A#2. Caution: This is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string.
• 5th String: Tune down 6 semitones to D#3. Caution: This is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string.
• 4th String: Tune down 6 semitones to G#3. Caution: This is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string.
• 3rd String: Tune down 6 semitones to C#4. Caution: This is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string.
• 2nd String: Tune down 6 semitones to F3. Caution: This is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string.
• 1st String (Highest): Tune down 6 semitones to A#4. Caution: This is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string.

Here are the open notes for each string in this tuning:

• 8th String (Lowest): A#1
• 7th String: F1
• 6th String: A#2
• 5th String: D#3
• 4th String: G#3
• 3rd String: C#4
• 2nd String: F3
• 1st String (Highest): A#4