Verbal Description

The Luka Ison tuning, famously used by Stephen Malkmus for songs like 'Pencil Riot' and 'A Water And A Seat', offers a distinct, open, and somewhat melancholic sound profile. With all strings tuned significantly down from standard, it provides a slacker feel, making bends and vibrato more expressive, albeit potentially requiring a heavier string gauge for optimal tension, particularly on the 6th and 4th strings. The overall feel is rich and resonant, inviting exploration of open chords and droning textures. This tuning opens up a unique sonic landscape, departing significantly from the familiarity of standard EADGBe.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets the guitar's open strings to C2 G2 A2 E3 A3 D4, from lowest to highest. Compared to standard EADGBe, this represents a significant overall drop in pitch, creating a lower and darker tonal landscape with a total range of two octaves and a major second.

Analyzing the intervals and harmonic content, the open strings feature:

• The C2 (6th string) and G2 (5th string) form a perfect fifth, providing a strong, stable foundation.
• Adding A2 (4th string) to the C and G creates an interesting cluster that hints at a C6 sound or a partial A minor triad (A-C-E).
• The E3 (3rd string) completes a C major triad (C-G-E) across the 6th, 5th, and 3rd strings, making open C major chords readily available, often with an added 6th (A).
• The inclusion of A3 (2nd string) and D4 (1st string) further expands the harmonic possibilities. The collective notes C, G, A, E, D are all present, outlining a C major pentatonic scale (C-D-E-G-A) or an A minor pentatonic scale (A-C-D-E-G) spread across the open strings. This allows for rich, harmonically complete voicings without much effort.

This arrangement makes several open voicings easily accessible, lending itself to a resonant and layered sound:

• A full C Major 6th or 9th chord can be easily achieved with minimal fingering, utilizing the open C, E, G, A, and D notes. The open C-G-E-A-D forms a Cmaj9 (add6) voicing, offering a sophisticated and full sound.
• Similarly, the tuning lends itself well to A minor and its extensions, given the prominent A, C, and E notes in the open position. An open A minor 11 (A-C-E-G-D) is virtually present.
• The combination of the low C-G and the upper A-D offers great potential for rich, open-string drones and arpeggios that would sound unique and full compared to standard tuning. The overall intervallic structure, particularly the two A strings at different octaves, allows for interesting sustained textures and arpeggiated patterns.

Due to the significant down-tuning across all strings, particularly the 6th string (-4 semitones), 4th string (-5 semitones), and 3rd string (-3 semitones), players should be mindful of string tension. While this facilitates easier bending, it might lead to fret buzz or a 'flappy' feel on lighter gauge strings. Considering a slightly heavier gauge is advisable for those who prefer more tension and clarity in lower tunings.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Luka Ison

This section details the specific adjustments required for each string, starting from standard EADGBe tuning. Note that all strings are tuned down significantly, which will result in lower string tension.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 4 semitones to C2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones to G2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 5 semitones to A2.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones to E3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones to D4.

Important Note on String Gauge: Given that the majority of strings are tuned down by 2 or more semitones, and especially with the 4th string being dropped by 5 semitones and the 6th string by 4 semitones, using a heavier gauge string set than what you might typically use for standard tuning is strongly advised. This will help maintain adequate string tension, improve intonation, reduce fret buzz, and provide a more stable playing experience in this low tuning. For drops of this magnitude, standard strings may feel too loose or produce an undesirable tone.