Verbal Analysis

This tuning, often referred to as 8-String B Standard, represents a significant departure into the lower registers, offering a profoundly deep and rich sonic foundation. Designed for extended-range guitars, this tuning unleashes an exceptionally low B0, pushing the boundaries of what's possible on a guitar. It provides a massive, thick sound that resonates deeply, making it a favorite for genres such as djent, progressive metal, doom metal, and any style requiring colossal low-end impact. The consistency of the tuning structure—mostly perfect fourths with a strategic major third—makes it surprisingly intuitive despite its extreme depth. This allows players to easily adapt familiar chord shapes and scale patterns from standard tunings, simply transposed down. The open strings offer a powerful resonance, ready to be exploited for percussive riffing and atmospheric textures. While the low B0 offers immense power, it also demands careful string selection and playing technique to maintain clarity and avoid muddiness.

Technical Analysis

The tuning notes are B0, E1, A1, D2, G2, C3, E3, A3 (from lowest to highest string). This is a full step and a half (7 semitones) lower than the most common standard 8-string tuning (F# B E A D G B E). The interval structure mimics that of E Standard tuning, consisting of perfect fourths between most strings (B0-E1, E1-A1, A1-D2, D2-G2, E3-A3), with a single major third between the 3rd and 2nd strings (C3-E3).
This consistent interval pattern means that traditional chord shapes and scale fingerings are directly transferable, simply shifted to account for the deeper pitch. For instance, a power chord shape typically played on the 6th and 5th strings in E standard will yield a power chord in B Standard when played on any two adjacent strings (except between the 3rd and 2nd strings).
The open strings themselves don't form a common full chord, but the G2, C3, E3 (strings 4, 3, 2) together form an open C major chord (in 2nd inversion, G-C-E), providing an accessible major chord within the low-mid register. Additionally, the open B0 and E1 offer a powerful perfect fourth interval, ideal for heavy, sustained single-note riffs or droning foundations. The tuning's depth makes it particularly well-suited for drop tunings built upon this foundation (e.g., dropping the lowest string even further) or for chugging riffs that exploit the wide pitch range.

Tuning Notes Overview

Below are the target notes for each string of your 8-string guitar, from the thickest (8th string) to the thinnest (1st string).

• 8th String: B0 (The lowest B note, an extremely deep bass tone.)
• 7th String: E1 (The lowest E note on a standard 6-string guitar, but now the second lowest.)
• 6th String: A1 (The lowest A note on a standard 6-string, now the third lowest.)
• 5th String: D2 (Corresponding to the open D string on a standard 6-string.)
• 4th String: G2 (Corresponding to the open G string on a standard 6-string.)
• 3rd String: C3 (A perfect fourth above G2, creating a unique interval shift for the higher strings.)
• 2nd String: E3 (A major third above C3, maintaining the traditional interval for the higher pair of strings.)
• 1st String: A3 (A perfect fourth above E3, completing the familiar interval structure.)

How to Tune to 8-String B Standard

To achieve this deep and powerful tuning, you will need to adjust each string significantly downwards from a typical 8-string standard (F# Standard). Please proceed with caution, as tuning down by a large number of semitones can affect string tension. For changes exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down), it is often advisable to consider a different string gauge to optimize tension and tone.

• 8th String (B0): Tune this string to B0, tuning down 7 semitones. Given this significant drop, a heavier gauge string is highly recommended to maintain playability and tone.
• 7th String (E1): Tune this string to E1, tuning down 7 semitones. A heavier gauge string is highly recommended.
• 6th String (A1): Tune this string to A1, tuning down 7 semitones. A heavier gauge string is highly recommended.
• 5th String (D2): Tune this string to D2, tuning down 7 semitones. A heavier gauge string is highly recommended.
• 4th String (G2): Tune this string to G2, tuning down 7 semitones. A heavier gauge string is highly recommended.
• 3rd String (C3): Tune this string to C3, tuning down 7 semitones. A heavier gauge string is highly recommended.
• 2nd String (E3): Tune this string to E3, tuning down 7 semitones. A heavier gauge string is highly recommended.
• 1st String (A3): Tune this string to A3, tuning down 7 semitones. A heavier gauge string is highly recommended.