This is a powerful and highly distinctive 7-string guitar tuning, aptly named "Modified Baritone." It takes the deep, resonant foundation of a baritone instrument and extends its range with a unique, soaring high F#. The open strings offer a broad sonic palette, from a thunderous low B to a brilliant high F#, allowing for complex voicings and intricate melodic lines. The unusual arrangement of the middle strings (F4# on string 3, B3 on string 2) creates interesting intervallic relationships that will challenge and inspire players to explore new harmonic territory.

Technical Analysis:

The full tuning for this 7-string guitar is: B1-E2-A2-D3-F4#-B3-F5# (from the lowest to the highest string).

• Low End Stability: The lowest four strings (7-6-5-4) are tuned in perfect fourths (B1-E2-A2-D3), providing a solid, extended-range foundation reminiscent of bass or drop-tuned guitars. This creates a powerful and resonant low end for heavy riffs and expansive textures.
• Mid-Range Inversion: A highly unique characteristic of this tuning lies in the relationship between String 4 (D3), String 3 (F4#), and String 2 (B3). After the D3, String 3 jumps up a Major 3rd to F4#. Intriguingly, String 2 then tunes down to B3, a perfect fourth lower than String 3's F4#. This inversion means that String 3 is actually higher in pitch than String 2, creating a non-linear ascent in pitch that is highly unusual and offers truly unique voicing opportunities and chord shapes that would be impossible in standard tunings.
• High End Brilliance: The highest two strings (String 2: B3, String 1: F5#) conclude with a perfect fifth interval, culminating in a bright F5#, two octaves above the F4# on String 3. This high F# provides a shimmering top end, perfect for melodic leads or adding sparkle to chords.

Open String Voicings and Potential Chords:

• The open strings (B1, E2, A2, D3, F4#, B3, F5#) comprise the notes B, E, A, D, and F#. This rich combination can be interpreted in several ways:
  • E Minor 11: With E as the root, the open strings contain E (root), B (5th), D (b7), F# (9th), A (11th), and a low B. This creates a full, moody jazz or progressive voicing.
  • B Minor 7 (add 11): Rooted on B, the notes include B (root), D (b3), F# (5th), A (b7), E (11th). This provides a dark, sophisticated texture.
  • D Major 6: Focusing on strings 4, 3, 2, 1 (D3, F4#, B3, F5#), these notes form a beautiful D major 6 chord (D-F#-B-F#), offering a bright and resonant open voicing in the upper register.
• The perfect fourths on the lowest strings make power chords and drop-tuned riffs easily accessible across the bottom four strings. The presence of octaves (B1 & B3, F4# & F5#) allows for rich, ringing open voicings.
• Player Approach: This tuning demands a creative approach to fretboard navigation due to its mixed intervals and the inverted String 3/String 2 relationship. It's ideal for progressive metal, jazz fusion, or experimental music where unique textures and an extended range are desired.

String Tension Considerations:

Based on the specified string movements, most strings remain at their standard tension. String 3 is tuned down 1 semitone, and String 1 is tuned up 2 semitones. Both of these movements are within the generally acceptable range and do not necessitate a change in string gauge (which is typically advised when tuning exceeds a +/- 4 semitone adjustment). However, always tune carefully, especially when tuning up, to ensure the longevity of your strings and the stability of your instrument.

How to Tune Your Guitar:

Follow these instructions to achieve the "Modified Baritone" tuning. Tune from the thickest (String 7) to the thinnest (String 1) string.

• String 7 (B1): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 6 (E2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 (A2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 4 (D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3 (F4#): Tune down 1 semitones.
• String 2 (B3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (F5#): Tune up 2 semitones. While this movement is within acceptable limits, always tune carefully to avoid undue stress on the string or guitar.