CF#A#FGC Guitar Tuner
CF#A#FGC | CG♭B♭FGC Clutching Revulsion Tuning Ulcerate - Guitar tuning, chords & scales
The "Clutching Revulsion Tuning Ulcerate" is an exceptionally low and highly unconventional guitar tuning, characteristic of extreme metal genres like death metal or sludge, where immense sonic weight and dissonance are paramount. This tuning was reportedly found in a setlist sheet for the band Ulcerate, suggesting its use in their unique, complex soundscapes.
Verbal Analysis:
This tuning is designed for pure brutality and sonic depth. With the lowest string plummeting to C1, an entire octave below standard low E (E2), it provides a foundational rumble that delves into sub-bass territory, demanding thick string gauges to maintain tension and clarity. The overall sound profile is dark, menacing, and inherently dissonant, eschewing traditional harmonic comfort for a more grinding, churning texture. The wide, sometimes jarring intervals between strings, particularly the re-entrant third string (F2) which is tuned lower than the fourth string (A#2), create a disorienting and often atonal sonic landscape. This makes it perfect for heavy, sludgy riffs, complex arpeggiated dissonances, and atmospheric, oppressive soundscapes rather than conventional melodic playing or easy open chords.
Technical Analysis:
From the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st) string, the notes are: C1 - F#2 - A#2 - F2 - G2 - C3. Let's break down the intervals between adjacent strings, from low to high:
- 6th String (C1) to 5th String (F#2): An enormous leap of 18 semitones, spanning an octave and a tritone (augmented 4th). This interval alone promises immense tension and a guttural depth.
- 5th String (F#2) to 4th String (A#2): A Major 3rd (4 semitones), providing a relatively consonant step within this otherwise wild tuning.
- 4th String (A#2) to 3rd String (F2): A significant descending Perfect 5th (7 semitones down). This is a 're-entrant' interval, meaning the 3rd string is tuned lower than the 4th, dramatically altering typical chord voicings and fingerings.
- 3rd String (F2) to 2nd String (G2): A Major 2nd (2 semitones), a whole step up.
- 2nd String (G2) to 1st String (C3): A Perfect 4th (5 semitones), creating a strong, stable interval at the higher end of the tuning.
The presence of C at the lowest (C1) and highest (C3) points provides a strong, albeit dissonantly framed, tonal center. However, the open F#2 and F2 create inherent tritone and semitone clashes respectively, contributing heavily to the tuning's harsh, uncompromising character. This is a significantly downtuned setup, with the lowest string C1 being 15 semitones (an octave and a minor third) below standard low E2, and the highest string C3 being 14 semitones (an octave and a whole step) below standard high E4.
Open Chords and Possibilities:
Traditional open major or minor chords are largely inaccessible in this tuning without significant fretwork due to the re-entrant string and wide, dissonant intervals. However, this configuration opens the door for unique, heavy, and dissonant voicings:
- Open String Dissonance: The open strings themselves (C1 F#2 A#2 F2 G2 C3) form a highly dissonant cluster, which can be embraced as a unique sonic signature for sludgy, grinding textures.
- Power Chords: Simple two-note power chords, especially on the lower strings (e.g., C1 on the 6th string with a fretted note on the 5th or 4th string), will yield immense, tension-filled sounds suitable for crushing riffs. The C1-F#2 interval on the lowest two strings, for example, creates a powerful tritone.
- Re-Voiced Barre Chords: Any barre chord will be significantly altered due to the re-entrant 3rd string (F2 being lower than A#2). This requires a complete re-thinking of conventional chord shapes, leading to potentially new and unexpected dissonant harmonies or chunky voicings.
- Upper String Chords: The combination of F2-G2-C3 on the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings provides a relatively stable cluster (an Fsus4/add9 chord if C is the root, or Gsus2 if G is the root). This could be used for less abrasive melodic lines or harmonic anchors above the crushing lower register.
Ultimately, this tuning demands an experimental approach, rewarding players who are willing to break from conventional playing techniques to explore its dark, heavy, and powerfully dissonant potential.
How to Tune to Clutching Revulsion Tuning Ulcerate:
To achieve the unique sonic landscape of Clutching Revulsion Tuning Ulcerate, carefully adjust each string as follows:
- 6th String (Low E): Tune to C1. This involves tuning down 1 semitone from its previous note.
- 5th String (A): Tune to F#2. This string should remain as is; no change (0 semitones) relative to its previous note.
- 4th String (D): Tune to A#2. This involves tuning down 1 semitone from its previous note.
- 3rd String (G): Tune to F2. This involves tuning up 1 semitone from its previous note.
- 2nd String (B): Tune to G2. This involves tuning down 2 semitones from its previous note.
- 1st String (High E): Tune to C3. This involves tuning down 2 semitones from its previous note.
It's highly recommended to use a reliable digital tuner for accuracy, especially given the extremely low frequencies involved. Always tune slowly and carefully to avoid string breakage or damage to your instrument. Due to the extremely low C1 tuning on the 6th string and the significant overall drop, a heavier gauge string set than standard is almost certainly required to achieve adequate tension and intonation.
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Capos for CF#A#FGC
Capo | Tuning | Name |
---|---|---|
0 | CF#A#FGC | Clutching Revulsion Tuning Ulcerate |
1 | C#G#C#F#G#C# | C#sus4 |
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Tuning Map
- Fret
- S9
- S8
- S7
- S6
- S5
- S4
- -13
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- -12
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- D
- -11
- D
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- -10
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- -9
- E
- A
- D
- G
- C
- F
- -8
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- -7
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- D
- G
- -6
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- -5
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- -4
- A
- D
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- -3
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- -2
- B
- E
- A
- D
- G
- C
- -1
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- 0
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- D
- 1
- D
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- 2
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- 3
- E
- A
- D
- G
- C
- F
- 4
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- C#
- F#
- 5
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- D
- G
- 6
- G
- C
- F
- A#
- D#
- G#
- 7
- G#
- C#
- F#
- B
- E
- A
- -1
- 0
- -1
- 1
- -2
- -2