The "C6 sus2" tuning transforms your 7-string guitar into a sonic landscape rich with open, suspended harmonies and a deep, resonant low end. As described in its essence, it's "Basically a G sus 2 with a drop C and added C," hinting at its unique blend of traditional and contemporary voicings. This tuning invites exploration into genres like alternative, ambient, folk, and even heavier styles where a thick, droning base is desired.

Verbal Analysis: The Sound and Feel

Strummed open, this tuning immediately presents a captivating and somewhat ambiguous character due to its suspended intervals. The low C2 and G2 strings provide an incredibly deep and authoritative foundation, grounding the sound firmly in the key of C. The multiple Cs (C2, C3) reinforce the root, while the D and A notes (D3, A3, D4) introduce the 'suspended second' and 'major sixth' qualities, creating a rich C6sus2 chord when all strings are strummed. This open chord is full and resonant, avoiding the strong pull of a major or minor third, allowing for a vast harmonic canvas. The presence of Gsus2 (G3-A3-D4) and Csus2 (C3-D3-G3) voicings within the open strings makes it very versatile for fingerstyle, arpeggios, and drone-based music. Its wide intervals also make it particularly suitable for slide guitar, offering expansive melodic possibilities.

Technical Analysis: Intervals and Structure

The tuning for your 7-string guitar from lowest to highest string is: C2 – G2 – C3 – D3 – G3 – A3 – D4. Let's look at the intervallic relationships between adjacent strings:

• String 7 (C2) to String 6 (G2): Perfect 5th (7 semitones) - A strong, foundational interval.
• String 6 (G2) to String 5 (C3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones) - Common and stable.
• String 5 (C3) to String 4 (D3): Major 2nd (2 semitones) - Introduces the 'sus2' tension.
• String 4 (D3) to String 3 (G3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones) - Another stable interval.
• String 3 (G3) to String 2 (A3): Major 2nd (2 semitones) - Reinforces the suspended character.
• String 2 (A3) to String 1 (D4): Perfect 4th (5 semitones) - A familiar interval on the higher strings.

This arrangement creates a unique intervallic structure, deviating significantly from standard guitar tunings. The repeated Major 2nd and Perfect 4th intervals on the higher strings, coupled with the deep P5-P4 on the bass, give it a distinctive sound profile.

How to Tune Your Guitar for C6 sus2

To achieve the C6 sus2 tuning, carefully adjust each string according to the following movements from its original pitch:

• String 7 (Lowest): Tune up 1 semitone to reach C2.
• String 6: Tune up 3 semitones to reach G2. Please exercise caution as tuning up 3 semitones is a significant increase in tension. Consider a heavier gauge string if you plan to keep this tuning for extended periods.
• String 5: Tune up 3 semitones to reach C3. Similar to String 6, be mindful of string tension. A heavier gauge string may be advisable for long-term use.
• String 4: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string should be tuned to D3.
• String 3: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). The string should be tuned to G3.
• String 2: Tune down 2 semitones to reach A3.
• String 1 (Highest): Tune down 2 semitones to reach D4.

Remember to tune slowly and carefully, especially when increasing string tension, to prevent string breakage or damage to your instrument.

String 7 (Lowest): C2

String 6: G2

String 5: C3

String 4: D3

String 3: G3

String 2: A3

String 1 (Highest): D4