The Lynx-7 Alternate is a distinctive 7-string guitar tuning designed for players seeking a profoundly low and aggressive sound. As its name suggests, it's a 7-string evolution, building upon the "Drop D-esque" philosophy of its 6-string counterpart but pushing further into the lower registers. This tuning is crafted to deliver a heavier, more 'metal' sonic landscape, with all strings tuned significantly lower than both standard 7-string tuning and the Lynx-6 standard, providing a rich, dark foundation for modern heavy music.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets the strings to: B1, D2, A2, C3, E3, G3, D4 (from the lowest 7th string to the highest 1st string). The intervals between strings are varied and unique, lending themselves to specific voicings rather than traditional open chord strumming:

• 7th String (B1) to 6th String (D2): Minor 3rd (3 semitones)
• 6th String (D2) to 5th String (A2): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• 5th String (A2) to 4th String (C3): Minor 3rd (3 semitones)
• 4th String (C3) to 3rd String (E3): Major 3rd (4 semitones)
• 3rd String (E3) to 2nd String (G3): Minor 3rd (3 semitones)
• 2nd String (G3) to 1st String (D4): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)

The open strings do not form a single, easy-to-strum chord, encouraging a focus on single-note lines, octave shapes, and specific power chord voicings. The low B1 and D2 provide a deep, resonant quality. Notably, the 6th and 5th strings (D2-A2) form a perfect 4th, allowing for easy D-power chords with a single finger bar. Similarly, the 2nd and 1st strings (G3-D4) form a perfect 5th, yielding an open G-power chord. The interspersed minor and major thirds offer opportunities for complex melodic and harmonic phrasing within a heavy context, while the overall low register makes it ideal for heavy riffing and chugging.

How to Tune to Lynx-7 Alternate

To achieve Lynx-7 Alternate from standard 7-string tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B-E), follow these instructions carefully:

• 7th String (B1): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 6th String (E2): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• 5th String (A2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 4th String (D3): Tune down 2 semitones to C3.
• 3rd String (G3): Tune down 3 semitones to E3.
• 2nd String (B3): Tune down 4 semitones to G3. Please note: tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change. For optimal playability, intonation, and string longevity, considering a heavier gauge string for this position is advised.
• 1st String (E4): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.