The Baritone Clusters tuning transforms a standard guitar into a deep, resonant soundscape, heavily favoring lower registers while featuring a remarkably high top string. This tuning creates a unique sonic palette, bridging the gap between a standard guitar and a baritone instrument, then adding an unexpected, shimmering high end.

Technically, the open string notes are B1-E2-A2-D3-E3-F5#. The most striking feature is the dramatic drop in pitch for the lower five strings. The lowest four strings (B1-E2-A2-D3) are tuned in perfect fourths, resembling a low-tuned 7-string setup but with a very deep, resonant foundation. The fifth string (E3) then jumps a Major Second from D3, creating an interesting internal cluster of notes (D-E) within the mid-range. The real outlier is the first string, tuned to F5#, which is an incredible two octaves and one semitone higher than the E3 on the second string. This vast range from B1 to F5# offers a truly expansive tonal spectrum, allowing for deep, rumbling chords alongside piercing, bell-like melodies.

Harmonically, playing all open strings together yields a rich B minor 7 add 11 chord (B-D-F#-A-E), specifically B1-E2-A2-D3-E3-F5#. This open voicing includes the root (B), minor third (D), perfect fifth (F# from F5#), minor seventh (A), and eleventh (E). This inherent chord structure means that droning these open strings can provide a lush and sophisticated backdrop for melodies or further chord voicings. The clustered D-E interval on strings 3 and 2 allows for interesting suspensions and dissonances within chord shapes, while the perfect fourths on the lowest strings make power chords exceptionally robust. Players might find that barre chords on the lower four strings offer a powerful, almost piano-like voicing due to these perfect fourth intervals.

How to Tune (From Standard EADGBe)

Achieving the Baritone Clusters tuning requires significant adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning. Please observe the following string movements carefully. Note that tuning significantly up or down (beyond 4 semitones) may require a different string gauge to avoid breakage or excessive slack. For all downward tunings exceeding 4 semitones, a heavier gauge string is highly recommended for optimal tension and tone.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones to B1. (Warning: Significant downward tuning; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension and tone.)
• String 5 (A): Tune down 5 semitones to E2. (Warning: Significant downward tuning; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension and tone.)
• String 4 (D): Tune down 5 semitones to A2. (Warning: Significant downward tuning; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension and tone.)
• String 3 (G): Tune down 5 semitones to D3. (Warning: Significant downward tuning; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension and tone.)
• String 2 (B): Tune down 7 semitones to E3. (Warning: Extreme downward tuning; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised for optimal tension and tone.)
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 2 semitones to F#4.

Important Note on String 1: While the provided tuning movements suggest tuning String 1 from E4 up 2 semitones to F#4, the intended final tuning specified in the tuning notes is F5#. Achieving F5# from a standard E4 would require tuning up a full octave plus 2 semitones (14 semitones total), which is an extreme change for a standard guitar string. To truly reach the specified F5# for this tuning, a significantly lighter gauge string would be essential, and potentially a specialized setup for the instrument to handle such high tension/pitch on that string, or the tuning should perhaps be started from an already much higher-pitched string. Proceed with extreme caution and consider professional advice for this adjustment to prevent string breakage or damage to your instrument.

• String 6 (Low E Equivalent): Tuned to B1. This is significantly lower than standard, providing a deep, resonant bass foundation.
• String 5 (A Equivalent): Tuned to E2. Maintaining the baritone feel, this string complements the B1 perfectly, a perfect fourth above.
• String 4 (D Equivalent): Tuned to A2. Continues the pattern of perfect fourths, deepening the tonal range further.
• String 3 (G Equivalent): Tuned to D3. The last in the series of perfect fourths from the low strings, completing a robust low end.
• String 2 (B Equivalent): Tuned to E3. A Major Second above the D3, creating an interesting, slightly dissonant cluster within the mid-range.
• String 1 (High E Equivalent): Tuned to F5#. This is an exceptionally high note, creating a piercing, bell-like quality and an enormous interval range with the lower strings, expanding the guitar's sonic canvas dramatically.