The "Drop B (7 string)" tuning, famously utilized by bands like All Shall Perish, is an intensely aggressive and technically demanding setup for a 7-string guitar. It's characterized by an exceptionally high string tension across most strings, leading to a potent, tight sound but also increasing the risk of string breakage, especially during bends. Players adopting this tuning should consider using specific string gauges to manage the tension effectively and ensure instrument stability.

Technical Analysis:

This tuning presents a unique and unconventional note arrangement:

• String 7 (Low): B1
• String 6: F#3
• String 5: B2
• String 4: E3
• String 3: A3
• String 2: C#5
• String 1 (High): F#5

While the lowest string is a familiar B1, establishing a powerful low end, the tuning immediately diverges from convention. Most notably, String 6 (F#3) is pitched significantly higher than String 5 (B2) – specifically, an octave and a major third above it. This creates a highly unusual re-entrant characteristic, where a lower-numbered string is tuned to a higher pitch than an adjacent higher-numbered string. This dramatically alters standard chord voicings and fretboard navigation. The jump from B1 to F#3 is a massive 20 semitones (an octave and a major sixth), followed by a downward interval of a perfect fifth (7 semitones) from F#3 to B2. The upper strings (E3-A3-C#5-F#5) maintain a more traditional ascending pitch order, forming a segment that hints at E major or A major tonalities within the broader B-centric framework.

Harmonic & Chordal Opportunities:

Due to its highly unconventional nature, this tuning is not conducive to traditional open chords or standard barre chord shapes. Instead, it seems purposefully designed for:

• Aggressive Riffing: The low B1 combined with the high F#5 and B2 creates a very full, resonant sound ideal for heavy, detuned riffs typical of deathcore and extreme metal.
• Power Chords: The strong presence of B (S7, S5) and F# (S6, S1) across different octaves strongly facilitates various voicings of B5 power chords, often with complex octave displacements.
• Extended Harmonies: The unique and often jarring intervals, particularly the re-entrant String 6, allow for dissonant or highly extended chord voicings that are difficult or impossible to achieve in standard tunings. Players will likely explore fingerings that exploit these specific note relationships for creative and often jarring harmonic textures.
• Lead Work: The wide pitch range and unique string layout can inspire distinct melodic and lead patterns, demanding a fresh approach to the fretboard.

This tuning demands a high degree of adaptability and experimentation, rewarding players who are willing to break away from conventional fretboard logic to harness its unique sonic potential.

Target Notes:

Here are the target notes for each string, from the lowest (String 7) to the highest (String 1):

• String 7: B1
• String 6: F#3
• String 5: B2
• String 4: E3
• String 3: A3
• String 2: C#5
• String 1: F#5

How to Tune:

This tuning involves significant changes, with most strings tuned up, leading to very high tension. Please tune carefully. For string movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, a different string gauge is generally advised. While the individual string adjustments here are 2 semitones, the cumulative effect contributes to the high tension noted in the tuning's description. You may want to consider a heavier gauge for the low B and potentially a lighter gauge for the highly tensioned F#3 on String 6 to manage playability and minimize the risk of breakage, as the original description warns.

• String 7 (B1): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 6 (F#3): Tune up 2 semitones.
• String 5 (B2): Tune up 2 semitones.
• String 4 (E3): Tune up 2 semitones.
• String 3 (A3): Tune up 2 semitones.
• String 2 (C#5): Tune up 2 semitones.
• String 1 (F#5): Tune up 2 semitones.