The "Not Retrospect's Harmonic Drop" tuning for guitar, attributed to the guitarist "not retrospect" from the Thai band Retrospect, is a truly unique and deeply resonant setup designed for modern, heavy, and progressive sounds. It pushes the boundaries of standard guitar tuning by venturing into extremely low registers while maintaining a surprising harmonic clarity in the upper strings.

Verbal Analysis

At its core, this tuning is characterized by its exceptionally deep and powerful low end. The lowest audible note is a thundering F2 on the 5th string, with the 6th string surprisingly tuned to A#2, making it higher in pitch than the 5th string. This unconventional arrangement creates a rich, complex, and often dissonant foundation, perfect for intricate riffing and atmospheric soundscapes. Despite the extreme low-end alterations, the upper strings retain their standard pitch relative to each other, offering familiar melodic and harmonic possibilities. The overall feel is one of controlled chaos, allowing for both crushing heaviness and beautiful, soaring melodies.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets your guitar's open strings to A#2, F2, C3, G3, B3, E4, from the 6th (lowest) string to the 1st (highest) string respectively.

• String 6 (A#2): Tuned down 6 semitones from standard E2.
• String 5 (F2): Tuned down 4 semitones from standard A2, and notably, 6 semitones below String 6 (A#2). This creates an augmented 4th interval (or diminished 5th) between String 6 and String 5, where the lower string (String 5) is actually lower in pitch than the adjacent higher string (String 6).
• String 4 (C3): Tuned down 2 semitones from standard D3. The interval from String 5 (F2) to String 4 (C3) is a perfect 5th.
• String 3 (G3): Remains at standard G3. The interval from String 4 (C3) to String 3 (G3) is a perfect 5th.
• String 2 (B3): Remains at standard B3. The interval from String 3 (G3) to String 2 (B3) is a major 3rd.
• String 1 (E4): Remains at standard E4. The interval from String 2 (B3) to String 1 (E4) is a perfect 4th.

Open Chords and Harmonic Reach

While the lowest strings create a somewhat dissonant foundation due to their unusual relative pitches (A#2 to F2), the upper four strings (C3, G3, B3, E4) surprisingly form an open C Major 7th chord. This creates a fascinating duality, allowing for deep, heavy, and often dissonant riffing on the lower strings, juxtaposed with clear, jazzy, or ambient harmonies on the upper register.

Key Observations:

• Cmaj7 Voicings: The open C3, G3, B3, E4 strings (4, 3, 2, 1) provide an immediate, rich Cmaj7 chord, perfect for arpeggios, atmospheric pads, or clean passages.
• Power Chords: The perfect 5th intervals between String 5 (F2) and String 4 (C3), and String 4 (C3) and String 3 (G3) make power chords incredibly easy to form by simply barring across these strings, or using two fingers. This is ideal for heavy, driving rhythms.
• Low-End Dissonance: The A#2 and F2 on the 6th and 5th strings respectively offer a unique, thick, and potentially unsettling texture. This is excellent for creating very heavy, detuned, or djent-inspired riffs that leverage the tension between these notes.
• Melodic Contrasts: The tuning encourages a style of playing that utilizes the extreme low end for rhythmic and harmonic density, while the upper Cmaj7 provides a ready-made canvas for melodic leads and intricate clean passages.

This tuning is a playground for guitarists looking to explore new sonic territories, blending extreme low-end power with sophisticated harmonic possibilities.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Not Retrospect's Harmonic Drop

This tuning significantly alters the pitch of your lower strings from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). Please use a reliable tuner.

• String 6 (Low E): Currently E2. Tune down 6 semitones to A#2 (Bb2). Caution: Tuning down 6 semitones is a significant drop. If your string gauge is very light, you may experience floppiness or intonation issues. A heavier gauge string for the low E is strongly advised for optimal performance.
• String 5 (A): Currently A2. Tune down 4 semitones to F2. Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a substantial drop. Consider using a slightly heavier gauge string for the A string to maintain good tension and intonation.
• String 4 (D): Currently D3. Tune down 2 semitones to C3.
• String 3 (G): Currently G3. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 2 (B): Currently B3. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (High E): Currently E4. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

After tuning, it's always a good idea to check your intonation, especially on the lower strings, as significant pitch changes can affect it.