This is an extremely low and wide-interval guitar tuning, labeled as "e flat drop A". The naming suggests a tuning rooted in metal and heavy genres, reminiscent of bands like Mastodon, and indeed the provided description states it's "great for metal".

Technical Analysis

The open string notes are configured as follows from thickest to thinnest:

• 6th String (Low E position): B1
• 5th String (A position): G#3
• 4th String (D position): C#4
• 3rd String (G position): F#4
• 2nd String (B position): A#4
• 1st String (High E position): D#5

This setup is highly unconventional. The lowest string (B1) is significantly detuned, providing a deep, guttural foundation. The jump from the 6th string (B1) to the 5th string (G#3) is an enormous 20 semitones (two octaves and a Major 6th), which creates a vast sonic gap not commonly found in guitar tunings. The subsequent strings, G#3, C#4, F#4, A#4, D#5, form a more tightly spaced cluster. While not forming a conventional open chord, the upper strings (G#3, C#4, F#4, A#4, D#5) contain intervals that could be exploited for complex, dissonant voicings or specific melodic patterns. For instance, G#3, C#4, F#4 could be viewed as a G#sus4 with an added b7, suggesting a foundation for bluesy or modal metal riffs if G# is taken as the root. However, the true power of this tuning, as implied by its genre association, lies in its capacity for heavy, single-note riffs on the low B string and two-note power chords by fretting the 6th string. Traditional open chords will be largely impractical or produce very dense, dissonant sounds due to the wide intervals and low register.

How to Tune

To achieve the "e flat drop A" tuning, follow these string adjustments:

• 6th String: Tune down 5 semitones to B1. Due to the significant change of 5 semitones downwards, a heavier gauge string is strongly recommended to maintain proper tension and tone.
• 5th String: Tune down 1 semitone to G#3.
• 4th String: Tune down 1 semitone to C#4.
• 3rd String: Tune down 1 semitone to F#4.
• 2nd String: Tune down 1 semitone to A#4.
• 1st String: Tune down 1 semitone to D#5.

6th String: B1 (significantly low, providing a deep foundation for heavy riffs)

5th String: G#3 (a substantial leap in pitch from the 6th string, introducing higher harmonic possibilities)

4th String: C#4 (contributes to the mid-range body of the tuning)

3rd String: F#4 (adds to the melodic potential within this unconventional arrangement)

2nd String: A#4 (brightens the upper register)

1st String: D#5 (the highest note, completing the tuning with a sharp, cutting top end)