The "Calyx" tuning presents a fascinating and complex sonic landscape, designed for a distinctly deep and resonant guitar experience. As described by its creator, it is a "Variation on an A#sus2 with an F-dropped tuning to finish out strings 5-1." This suggests a deliberate harmonic intention, creating a sound that is both rich and unconventional.

Verbal Analysis

This is a profoundly low tuning, with every string tuned down from standard EADGBe. The most significant drops are on the bass strings, particularly the 6th string, which is an entire tritone (six semitones) below standard E. This creates a powerful, almost orchestral bass foundation. The repeated F and A# notes across different octaves (A#2, F2, C3, F3, A#4, D4) suggest a drone-like quality, allowing for sustained, resonant textures. The overall feel is likely to be heavy, dark, and expansive, making it ideal for genres that benefit from thick, low-end power, such as doom metal, progressive rock, or ambient soundscapes. The non-symmetrical nature of the intervals implies that this tuning is geared towards specific melodic ideas or open voicings rather than standard chord shapes.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to A#2 F2 C3 F3 A#4 D4 (often read as Bb2 F2 C3 F3 Bb4 D4). Analyzing the intervals from low to high:

• String 6 (A#2) to String 5 (F2): Perfect 5th down (7 semitones)
• String 5 (F2) to String 4 (C3): Perfect 5th up (7 semitones)
• String 4 (C3) to String 3 (F3): Perfect 4th up (5 semitones)
• String 3 (F3) to String 2 (A#4): Compound Major 3rd up (an octave plus a Major 3rd, 16 semitones)
• String 2 (A#4) to String 1 (D4): Major 3rd up (4 semitones)

The open string notes collectively are A#, C, D, F. If we interpret A# as Bb, this creates a BbMaj7(add13) voicing (Bb, D, F, C). The presence of A#, C, and F specifically forms an A#sus2 chord, as highlighted in the description. The addition of D on the first string transforms this into a richer harmonic structure, moving towards an A# major tonality (A#, D, F) while retaining the suspended second (C).

While not forming a simple, universally recognized open chord, the tuning provides strong harmonic clusters:

• Power Chords: The lower strings (A#2, F2, C3) naturally lend themselves to very deep and thick power chords, especially with the 6th and 5th strings forming a perfect fifth (A# to F is a P5 down).
• Drone & Resonance: The repeated F and A# notes at different octaves, along with the very low register, make this tuning excellent for creating resonant drone textures and sustained chords.
• Open Voicings: The full open tuning (A#2 F2 C3 F3 A#4 D4) could be seen as a complex A# dominant or A# major based voicing with extensions. Fingerings that utilize the lower three strings (A# F C) will provide a massive, low foundation. For instance, fretting the first string at the 3rd fret (F4) instead of D4 would give a pure A#sus2 over the highest three strings (F3, A#4, F4) and reinforce the low F.

Current Tuning Notes:

• String 6 (Low E string): A#2
• String 5 (A string): F2
• String 4 (D string): C3
• String 3 (G string): F3
• String 2 (B string): A#4
• String 1 (High E string): D4

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe):

To achieve the Calyx tuning, you will need to lower every string significantly from standard EADGBe. Please proceed with caution, especially with the larger drops, and ensure your guitar's intonation and neck relief are checked after tuning.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 6 semitones from E2 to A#2. Warning: Tuning down 6 semitones is a very significant drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised for optimal tone and tension.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 4 semitones from A2 to F2. Warning: Tuning down 4 semitones is a substantial drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised for optimal tone and tension.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 2 semitones from D3 to C3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 2 semitones from G3 to F3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 1 semitone from B3 to A#3 (often displayed as Bb3). Note: The tuning notes specify A#4 for this string, which is an octave higher than the result of a 1-semitone drop from B3. Please verify the intended octave for this string.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E4 to D4.

General Recommendation: For any string movement exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down), it is highly recommended to use a different gauge string to maintain proper string tension, intonation, and to prevent potential damage to your instrument's neck or bridge. Both the 6th and 5th strings in this tuning fall into this category, making a custom string set a wise investment for this particular setup.