Verbal and Technical Analysis

This unique and deeply resonant tuning, famously utilized in Slipknot's melancholic acoustic piece 'Vermilion, Pt. 2', ventures into an unusually low and rich sonic landscape. The repeated B notes across different octaves (B1, B2, B2) forge a powerful, foundational drone, offering immense depth and sustain. The F# (F3#) string provides a perfect fifth to the root B, solidifying a strong, heavy power chord potential.

However, it's the higher strings (G4# and C5#) that truly define its distinctive character. The G# functions as a major sixth above the B root, while the C# acts as a major second (or ninth). This combination steers the tuning away from conventional major or minor tonalities, instead creating an open, suspended, and slightly haunting harmonic palette. It suggests a Bsus2add6 or B6sus2 chord quality (B - C# - F# - G#) without a definitive third, allowing for emotional ambiguity and a unique, ethereal texture. It's perfectly suited for ambient, atmospheric passages, or to add unusual voicings to heavy melodic work, as exemplified by its use in a song known for its emotional depth.

Open Chords and Playability

• Strumming all open strings yields a rich Bsus2add6 chord (B-F#-B-B-G#-C#), which sounds full and suspended.
• The lowest three strings (B1-F3#-B2) form a powerful B5 power chord, easily accessible for heavy riffing or a solid bass foundation.
• Due to the proximity of the two B strings (B2 on strings 4 and 3), barring a single finger across these and the lower strings can create various movable power chords and drones, maintaining the B root.
• While not designed for standard open chords, this tuning excels at creating expansive, resonant soundscapes and allows for interesting melodic interplay with the G# and C# providing extended harmonic flavors. Simple two-finger shapes or single-string melodies will yield surprisingly complex harmonies.

How to Tune Your Guitar

Achieving this low and unique tuning requires significant adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning. Please proceed with care, especially for the strings with larger drops, and consider the recommendations for string gauges.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones from E to B1. Note: This is a substantial drop (-5 semitones). For optimal tension and tone, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 3 semitones from A to F#3.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 3 semitones from D to B2.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 8 semitones from G to B2. Note: This is an extremely large drop (-8 semitones). A significantly heavier gauge string is essential to maintain playable tension and prevent string damage.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 3 semitones from B to G#4.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 3 semitones from E to C#5.

String 6: B1

String 5: F3#

String 4: B2

String 3: B2

String 2: G4#

String 1: C5#