Tuning Analysis: Resonant B Drone

This distinctive tuning, originally known as "BEABBB", is meticulously crafted for a profound and expansive sonic experience. As its original description highlights, it is "Used for sludgy riffs and my bloody valentine-esque strumming with drones." This configuration is expertly designed to unleash a deep, resonant wall of sound, making it ideal for crafting immersive soundscapes, heavy textural passages, and sustained, hypnotic drone elements.

Technical Breakdown

The open string notes for this tuning are B1-E2-A2-B2-B3-B3. Let's delve into the intervals and harmonic characteristics:

• Root Note: The dominant root is B, resonating powerfully across three distinct octaves.
• Intervals (from the lowest B1):
  • String 6 (B1): Serves as the fundamental, deep drone.
  • String 5 (E2): A Perfect 4th above the B1.
  • String 4 (A2): A Perfect 4th above the E2, which also functions as a minor 7th interval relative to the B1.
  • String 3 (B2): An Octave higher than the B1.
  • String 2 (B3): An Octave higher than the B2, placing it two octaves above the B1.
  • String 1 (B3): Played in unison with String 2, also two octaves above the B1.

Collectively, the open tuning forms a rich and complex voicing: a Bsus4(add m7). This chord is heavily voiced with the root B, which is reiterated across multiple octaves and in unison on the top two strings. The inclusion of E (a perfect 4th) and A (a minor 7th) introduces a harmonically ambiguous, suspended quality, deliberately avoiding a clear major or minor tonality in the open position. This design choice offers immense versatility while consistently upholding the powerful B drone, making it exceptionally versatile for various melodic and harmonic explorations.

Sonic Characteristics and Chord Exploration

The sheer density of B notes in this tuning ensures an extraordinarily strong and sustained low-end resonance, making it perfectly suited for:

• Immersive Drone Textures: A simple strum of all open strings produces a colossal, "wall-of-sound" effect, highly characteristic of shoegaze, post-rock, and drone genres.
• Sludgy Riffs: The combination of the deep B1, the suspended fourth, and the minor seventh creates a dark, heavy, and formidable foundation for impactful, downtuned riffs.
• Harmonic Innovation: While traditional chord shapes may not directly apply, creative experimentation with single-finger barres or partial fretting on the lower strings (allowing the upper B strings to ring out) can uncover unique and expansive voicings. For instance, a barre across the 7th fret would yield a resonant F#sus4 voicing, expertly leveraging the inherent drone. Even simple power chords constructed on the lower strings will sound exceptionally thick and full due to the resonant B drone.

How to Tune Your Guitar

Achieving the Resonant B Drone tuning necessitates significant alterations from the standard EADGBe tuning. Please proceed with utmost care, particularly given the substantial down-tunings involved. To maintain optimal string tension, intonation, and to prevent excessive string floppiness or potential string damage, a heavier gauge string set is emphatically recommended.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones to B1. Caution: This is a significant drop. A thicker gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 5 semitones to E2. Caution: This is a significant drop. A thicker gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 5 semitones to A2. Caution: This is a significant drop. A thicker gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 8 semitones to B2. Extreme Caution: This represents a very substantial drop in pitch. A much thicker gauge string is essential for achieving adequate playability, tension, and preventing breakage.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 5 semitones to B3. Caution: This is a significant drop. A thicker gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension.

For the best performance and to ensure your instrument's longevity, consider a professional guitar setup tailored for extremely low tunings. This may involve adjustments to the truss rod and bridge intonation.

String 6: B1

String 5: E2

String 4: A2

String 3: B2

String 2: B3

String 1: B3