Tuning Analysis: Double Drop A# (8-String)

This unique 8-string guitar tuning, famously used by TiffuZeless in the provided videos (video 1, video 2), delves into exceptionally low registers, creating a sonic landscape perfect for modern heavy music genres. It combines a deep drop on the lowest string with a consistent semi-tone drop across all other strings, offering a blend of familiar fretboard patterns and extreme low-end power.

Technical Breakdown

The tuning is structured as follows, from the 8th (lowest) string to the 1st (highest):

• String 8: A#1 (A-sharp in the first octave)
• String 7: G#2 (G-sharp in the second octave)
• String 6: D#3 (D-sharp in the third octave)
• String 5: G#3 (G-sharp in the third octave)
• String 4: C#4 (C-sharp in the fourth octave)
• String 3: F#4 (F-sharp in the fourth octave)
• String 2: A#4 (A-sharp in the fourth octave)
• String 1: D#5 (D-sharp in the fifth octave)

Analyzing the intervals between adjacent open strings reveals a distinct character:

• A#1 to G#2: A wide interval, a minor 7th (10 semitones).
• G#2 to D#3: A perfect 5th (7 semitones).
• D#3 to G#3: A perfect 4th (5 semitones).
• G#3 to C#4: A perfect 4th (5 semitones).
• C#4 to F#4: A perfect 4th (5 semitones).
• F#4 to A#4: A major 3rd (4 semitones).
• A#4 to D#5: A perfect 4th (5 semitones).

This tuning predominantly features perfect 4th intervals across most of its strings, a hallmark of many modern extended range tunings, making power chords and linear melodic playing highly accessible. The perfect 5th on strings 7-6 and the major 3rd on strings 3-2 add harmonic versatility.

Verbal Analysis & Usability

The 'Double Drop A# (8-String)' is designed for extreme low-end aggression. The A#1 on the lowest string provides a gut-rumbling foundation, ideal for crushing riffs and djent-style chugging. The open strings themselves resonate with a complex, dark harmony. Played open, the notes A#1, G#2, D#3, G#3, C#4, F#4, A#4, D#5 contain the root (A#), minor third (C#), perfect fourth (D#), perfect fifth (F#), and minor seventh (G#). This forms a massive A# minor 7th chord (A#, C#, D#, F#, G#), offering a rich, dissonant, and powerful open chord voicing that can be leveraged for atmospheric textures or heavy breakdowns. Due to the consistent one-semitone drop on strings 1-7 (relative to a standard 8-string F# B E A D G B E tuning), common chord shapes and scale patterns from other drop tunings can be easily adapted by shifting them down one fret, once the initial adjustment to the A# root is made. This makes the tuning intuitive for players familiar with drop tunings, while extending the range significantly.

How to Tune

To achieve Double Drop A# (8-String) from a standard 8-string tuning (F#2 B2 E3 A3 D4 G4 B4 E5), follow these steps:

• 8th String (F#2): Tune down 8 semitones to A#1. Note: A drop of 8 semitones is substantial. For optimal tension and intonation, a significantly heavier gauge string is strongly recommended.
• 7th String (B2): Tune down 3 semitones to G#2.
• 6th String (E3): Tune down 1 semitone to D#3.
• 5th String (A3): Tune down 1 semitone to G#3.
• 4th String (D4): Tune down 1 semitone to C#4.
• 3rd String (G4): Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• 2nd String (B4): Tune down 1 semitone to A#4.
• 1st String (E5): Tune down 1 semitone to D#5.

Always tune carefully and ensure your instrument's neck is properly adjusted for the altered string tension.

String 8: A1#

String 7: G2#

String 6: D3#

String 5: G3#

String 4: C4#

String 3: F4#

String 2: A4#

String 1: D5#