The Axe To Fall Tuning is a highly aggressive and dissonant guitar tuning primarily associated with the influential metalcore band Converge, notably featured on tracks from their album "Axe To Fall", including the powerful title track. This tuning deviates significantly from standard guitar configurations, designed to deliver a crushing, angular, and intense sonic landscape that is characteristic of Converge's sound.

Technical Analysis

• The open strings are tuned to: C2, F#3, C3, F#4, A3, C4 (from low 6th string to high 1st string).
• This tuning is anchored by a very low C on the 6th string (C2), providing an exceptionally deep, guttural foundation that enhances its heavy character.
• A prominent and defining feature of this tuning is the repeated tritone (C to F#) across the 6th-5th and 4th-3rd strings. This interval is inherently dissonant and contributes significantly to the tuning's unsettling and metallic character. The specific intervals between strings (from low to high) are:
  • 6th String (C2) to 5th String (F#3): An octave plus a tritone (18 semitones up). This is a very wide interval.
  • 5th String (F#3) to 4th String (C3): A descending tritone (6 semitones down).
  • 4th String (C3) to 3rd String (F#4): An octave plus a tritone (18 semitones up). Another very wide jump.
  • 3rd String (F#4) to 2nd String (A3): A descending minor 6th (9 semitones down).
  • 2nd String (A3) to 1st String (C4): A minor 3rd (3 semitones up).
• The collection of open notes C, F#, and A (with C and F# repeated across octaves) strongly outlines an F# diminished triad (F#-A-C) within a broader C framework. This creates a deeply tension-filled and unstable harmonic environment, ideal for abrasive and experimental heavy music.

Chords and Playability

Given its highly non-standard and dissonant open intervals, the Axe To Fall Tuning is not designed for traditional open major or minor chords. Instead, it is optimized for:

• Power Chords: The extreme low C on the 6th string, combined with the other pitches, offers a wide and powerful sonic palette for heavy, droning power chords. Shapes that involve single-finger barres or two-finger voicings will be essential for navigating the unusual string intervals and maintaining the intended intensity.
• Angular Riffing: Its inherent dissonance and the prevalence of tritones make it perfectly suited for single-note, chugging riffs, and highly angular, metallic melodic lines that exploit the tension of the tuning.
• Specific Dissonant Voicings: Players will likely discover unique, crushing voicings by experimenting with the available C, F#, and A notes, leveraging the tuning's inherent tension for extreme musical expression.

The significant string tension changes, particularly the substantial drops on the 6th and 1st strings, mean that a heavier gauge string set is highly recommended. This will help maintain proper intonation, prevent excessive buzzing, and ensure overall playability suitable for such an aggressive tuning.

How to Tune to Axe To Fall Tuning

To achieve the Axe To Fall Tuning (C2 F#3 C3 F#4 A3 C4), follow these specific instructions for each string. Please exercise caution during the tuning process, especially with significant downward movements, as string tension will decrease substantially.

• 6th String (Low E) to C2: Tune down 4 semitones. This is a considerable drop from standard E to C. A heavier gauge string set is highly recommended for this string to maintain optimal tension, prevent buzzing, and ensure stable intonation.
• 5th String (A) to F#3: Tune down 3 semitones.
• 4th String (D) to C3: Tune down 2 semitones.
• 3rd String (G) to F#4: Tune down 1 semitone. Please note that the target pitch F#4 is an octave higher than the F#3 that would typically result from tuning a standard G3 string down 1 semitone. Achieving F#4 on this string with only a 1 semitone drop implies that a very light gauge or specialized string type (e.g., an octave-up string) is expected for this position to reach the C4# pitch.
• 2nd String (B) to A3: Tune down 2 semitones.
• 1st String (High E) to C4: Tune down 4 semitones. Similar to the 6th string, a 4-semitone drop from high E to C is significant. A heavier gauge string for this position is recommended to ensure playability, prevent floppiness, and maintain stable intonation at this much lower tension.

Always check your guitar's intonation after significantly changing tunings, as large shifts in string tension can affect it. You may need to adjust your bridge saddles for optimal performance.