The Sevendust B7sus4 Tuning is a distinctive guitar tuning for a Guitar, officially known as "Sevendust B7sus4 Tuning". As described, it's a variation of Drop B where the high string is retuned for an interesting open sound. This tuning has been notably utilized by the band Sevendust since their Animosity album, appearing in tracks such as "Face to Face."

Verbal Analysis

This is a powerful and resonant tuning, immediately recognizable for its heavy, low-end drive combined with an unexpected harmonic richness. The prominent low B string (B1) provides a massive foundation, perfect for aggressive riffing and weighty power chords that are common in Sevendust's sound. The arrangement of the higher strings, particularly the open B7sus4 chord (B-E-F#-A-B), opens up a world of complex and emotive voicings. Strumming all open strings yields a full, resonant B minor 7 suspended 4th chord, which can sound brooding, epic, or intensely rhythmic depending on articulation. This makes it easy to create complex harmonies with minimal effort, allowing for unique melodic lines to be played over the open drone.

Due to the open B7sus4 chord, certain chord shapes become readily available or take on new harmonic characteristics. Barring across all strings at a single fret will produce various minor 7th suspended 4th chords, allowing for easy key changes while maintaining the tuning's unique flavor. Power chords on the lowest three strings (B-F#-B) are particularly easy to execute, requiring only two fingers for a powerful root-fifth-octave voicing. The specific intervals also encourage open string drones while fretting notes on other strings, creating a very full and layered sound.

Technical Analysis

This tuning is configured as B1-F#3-B2-E3-A3-B3, from the thickest to the thinnest string. Let's analyze the intervals:

• String 6 (B1): The root, providing a deep, resonant low end. This is a very common choice for heavy music.
• String 5 (F#3): A perfect fifth above B2 (the D string's note in standard), but a major 10th plus a perfect 5th above B1. It creates a powerful 5th when combined with the lower B strings.
• String 4 (B2): An octave above B1, reinforcing the fundamental. The combination of B1-F#3-B2 forms a powerful B5 (B-F#-B) voicing, characteristic of drop tunings.
• String 3 (E3): A perfect fourth above B2. This is the 'sus4' component, creating tension and color.
• String 2 (A3): A minor seventh above B2. This adds a bluesy or jazzy extension to the suspended chord, making it a Bm7sus4.
• String 1 (B3): An octave above B2, reinforcing the root at a higher register.

When all open strings are strummed, the notes B, E, F#, A, and B are present, forming a clear B minor 7 suspended 4th chord (B-E-F#-A) with octave doublings. The wide range from B1 to B3 (two octaves) provides a huge sonic landscape. The interval between the low B (String 6) and the next B (String 4) is an octave, mimicking the "Drop" tuning convention, allowing for easy one-finger power chords across these strings. The non-linear progression of notes across the strings (B1, then a high F#3, then B2) is unique and indicative of creative re-voicing rather than a simple scalar or arpeggiated arrangement.

How to Tune

To achieve the Sevendust B7sus4 Tuning from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e):

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones from E to B1.
• 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 3 semitones from G to E3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B to A3.
• String 1 (High e): Tune down 5 semitones from e to B3.

Please note that tuning strings down by 5 semitones (String 6 and String 1) can significantly reduce string tension and may require adjusting string gauge for optimal playability, intonation, and to prevent string breakage or damage to the instrument. Generally, if string movements exceed negative 4 or positive 4 semitones, a different gauge string is advised.

String 6: B1

String 5: F#3

String 4: B2

String 3: E3

String 2: A3

String 1: B3