CFD#G#C#F#A#D# Guitar Tuner

CFD#G#C#F#A#D# | CFE♭A♭D♭G♭B♭E♭ C Standard (9 String Tuning / On 8 String) - Guitar tuning, chords & scales

Description - C Standard (9 String Tuning / On 8 String)

This is a cheat way to tune all the way down to C Standard on an 8 String. It does require 9 - 80 gauge strings to do it.

Tuning Analysis: C Standard (9 String Tuning / On 8 String)

This tuning, intended for an 8-string guitar, is a fascinating and aggressive approach to achieving an extremely low “C Standard” sound, often associated with 9-string instruments. As the original description suggests, it's a creative “cheat way” to push the boundaries of an 8-string guitar's low end, requiring exceptionally heavy string gauges (specifically, 9-80 gauge strings are advised) to maintain tension and intonation at such low frequencies.

Verbal Analysis

Prepare for a sonic landscape that is profoundly deep, dark, and menacing. With the lowest string plummeting to C1, this tuning lays down a foundation that is felt as much as it is heard. It's designed for musicians who crave a colossal, crushing low-end ideal for genres like djent, extreme metal, or any style where immense weight and guttural riffing are paramount. The tuning creates a distinct “split” feel, with the two lowest strings providing an almost bass-guitar-like presence, while the higher strings offer a tight, articulate range for intricate melodic lines or power chords. The overall character is undoubtedly heavy and capable of producing thick, dense walls of sound.

Technical Analysis

Instrument Type: 8-String Guitar
Open Notes: From lowest to highest string: C1, F1, D#3, G#3, C#4, F#4, A#4, D#5.
Extreme Low-End: The tuning boasts an incredibly low C1 on the 8th string, providing a fundamental frequency rarely achieved on standard 8-string setups.
Interval Structure:
- String 8 (C1) to String 7 (F1): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
- String 7 (F1) to String 6 (D#3): An extraordinarily wide interval of 27 semitones (2 octaves + Major 6th). This is the most defining and technically striking feature of this tuning, creating a massive chasm between the bass and mid-range strings.
- String 6 (D#3) to String 5 (G#3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
- String 5 (G#3) to String 4 (C#4): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
- String 4 (C#4) to String 3 (F#4): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
- String 3 (F#4) to String 2 (A#4): Major 3rd (4 semitones)
- String 2 (A#4) to String 1 (D#5): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
Tonal Character: The presence of C, F, D#, G#, C#, F#, A#, D# (C, F, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Bb, Eb enharmonically) suggests a modal or chromatic tonality, leaning towards darker scales like C Phrygian or Locrian, or simply a collection of notes designed for powerful, dissonant textures rather than conventional harmony.

Chordal and Riffing Potential

Due to the extreme intervals, particularly the vast gap between the 7th and 6th strings, traditional open chords and barre chord shapes across all strings are largely impractical or will yield highly dissonant results. This tuning thrives on:

Power Chords: The Perfect 4th intervals on the lower strings (C1-F1, D#3-G#3, G#3-C#4, etc.) are ideal for forming heavy, two-note power chords, especially with the deep C1 root.
Specific Riffing: This tuning excels in generating single-note riffs, palm-muted chugs, and rhythmic patterns that leverage the individual string voicings. The large interval jump can be used to create dramatic shifts between bass-heavy lines and higher-register melodies.
Partial Chords: Experimenting with 2 or 3-string voicings, especially those incorporating the lower C1, F1, D#3, will reveal unique harmonic possibilities for creating dense, dissonant, or industrial-sounding chords. For instance, playing S8 (C), S6 (D#), and S5 (G#) gives C-D#-G#, which is an inverted A♭ major triad, or a C minor chord with a raised 5th, providing a dark, dissonant flavor.

This tuning is not for the faint of heart or those seeking conventional folk melodies. It's a specialist tuning designed for sonic impact and pushing the boundaries of an 8-string guitar's low-end capabilities.

Tuning Notes Breakdown

String 8: Tuned to C1
String 7: Tuned to F1
String 6: Tuned to D#3
String 5: Tuned to G#3
String 4: Tuned to C#4
String 3: Tuned to F#4
String 2: Tuned to A#4
String 1: Tuned to D#5

How to Tune

To achieve this C Standard tuning, you will need to adjust each string by tuning it down by one semitone from its default starting position for this specific tuning's intended setup. Given the extremely low overall pitch, ensure you are using appropriate heavy-gauge strings (as noted, 9-80 gauge is recommended).