The B Standard Variation tuning is a deep and powerful guitar setup that primarily extends the low-end range of your instrument while maintaining familiar melodic possibilities on the higher strings. As its name suggests, it builds upon the foundation of B Standard tuning, where the lowest four strings are tuned down significantly to B-E-A-D. This provides a rich, dark, and heavy sonic landscape, ideal for genres like metal, hard rock, and any style requiring a robust low-end presence.

What makes this variation unique is the retention of the top two strings (B and E) at their standard EADGB-E pitch. This thoughtful combination means players can immediately tap into the deep resonance of the lower B-E-A-D strings for heavy riffs and power chords, while simultaneously leveraging a vast library of existing chord shapes and melodic patterns on the high B and E strings, which remain in their familiar Standard E tuning configuration. This duality offers both powerful depth and melodic versatility.

Technical Analysis:

• Open String Notes: B1-E2-A2-D3-B3-E4 (from low to high).
• Interval Structure:
  • String 6 (B1) to String 5 (E2): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
  • String 5 (E2) to String 4 (A2): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
  • String 4 (A2) to String 3 (D3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
  • String 3 (D3) to String 2 (B3): Major 6th (9 semitones) - This is a wide interval and a significant departure from the standard Perfect 4th/Major 3rd intervals.
  • String 2 (B3) to String 1 (E4): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• Chordal Opportunities:
  • The open strings B-E-A-D-B-E collectively contain the notes of a B minor 7th chord (B-D-A-E) with an added 11th (E). Strumming all open strings will yield a deep, resonant, and somewhat ambient sound.
  • Power Chords: The lowest four strings (B-E-A-D) maintain perfect fourth relationships, making two-finger (root-fifth) and three-finger (root-fifth-octave) power chords incredibly easy and powerful across the bottom strings by simply barring or using adjacent string shapes. For example, a B5 power chord can be played on the open 6th string and 2nd fret of the 5th string (F#).
  • Standard Shapes: The top two strings being B and E means many standard open and barre chord voicings that primarily utilize these strings will be familiar, although their harmonic context will shift dramatically when played alongside the lower B-E-A-D strings.
  • The wide D3-B3 interval (Major 6th) means that standard chord shapes that typically involve the G and B strings will require significant adjustment or re-imagining. This might open up new, interesting voicings or create more challenging stretches.
• Recommended String Gauge: Given that strings 6, 5, 4, and 3 are tuned down by 5 semitones each, which is more than the recommended maximum of 4 semitones for standard gauges, a much heavier gauge string set is highly advisable for these four strings. This will help maintain proper string tension, intonation, and prevent string floppiness, especially for low-end riffing. Strings 2 and 1 can remain standard gauge as they are not detuned.

Tuning Notes (Low to High):

String 6: B1
String 5: E2
String 4: A2
String 3: D3
String 2: B3
String 1: E4

How to Tune:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones to B1. (Note: Tuning down more than 4 semitones is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string for optimal performance.)
• String 5 (A): Tune down 5 semitones to E2. (Note: Tuning down more than 4 semitones is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string for optimal performance.)
• String 4 (D): Tune down 5 semitones to A2. (Note: Tuning down more than 4 semitones is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string for optimal performance.)
• String 3 (G): Tune down 5 semitones to D3. (Note: Tuning down more than 4 semitones is a significant drop; consider a heavier gauge string for optimal performance.)
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

General Advice: When tuning strings down by more than 4 semitones (as with strings 6, 5, 4, and 3 in this tuning), it is strongly recommended to use a heavier gauge string set specifically designed for lower tunings. This will help maintain proper string tension, intonation, and playability, preventing the strings from feeling too loose or 'flappy'. Always tune carefully and gradually.