The 'NYC' tuning, inspired by slackerVK's cover of 'NYE' by Unschooling, transforms your guitar into a resonant, open C#5 soundscape. This tuning features a powerful open voicing primarily composed of C# and G# notes across multiple octaves, making it ideal for drone-like textures, heavy riffs, and slide guitar.

Technical Analysis

This tuning presents the open notes: C#3, C#4, C#4, G#4, G#4, G#5. It's essentially an open C# Power Chord (C#5) spread across the fretboard, emphasizing the root (C#) and its perfect fifth (G#) without the major or minor third. The repetition of C# and G# notes at different octaves creates a thick, layered sonic foundation, offering a rich, almost symphonic quality when strummed open.

Chordal Opportunities

• Open Chord: Strumming all open strings yields a massive, resonant C#5 power chord. This is perfect for driving, open-string riffs and provides an immediate, powerful sonic signature.
• Movable Power Chords: Due to the consistent interval structure across the strings (C#-C#-C#-G#-G#-G#), barring all strings at any single fret will produce a movable power chord. For instance, barring at the first fret produces a D5, the second fret an Eb5, and so on. This makes it incredibly easy to transpose power chords up and down the neck with a single finger.
• Drones & Harmonics: The rich, stacked C# and G# notes lend themselves exceptionally well to sustained drones, ambient soundscapes, and exploring natural harmonics, especially on the lower strings, to create shimmering effects.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'NYC' tuning from standard E Standard tuning, follow these specific string adjustments. It's important to tune carefully and be aware of string tension changes.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down from E3 to C#3. This is a movement of 3 semitones down.
• 5th String (A): Tune up from A3 to C#4. This is a movement of 4 semitones up. Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones can put significant tension on your string. If you plan to use this tuning frequently, consider using a heavier gauge string to prevent breakage and ensure optimal tone.
• 4th String (D): Tune down from D4 to C#4. This is a movement of 1 semitone down.
• 3rd String (G): Tune up from G4 to G#4. This is a movement of 1 semitone up.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down from B4 to G#4. This is a movement of 3 semitones down.
• 1st String (High E): Tune up from E5 to G#5. This is a movement of 4 semitones up. Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones can put significant tension on your string. If you plan to use this tuning frequently, consider using a heavier gauge string to prevent breakage and ensure optimal tone.

For optimal playability and string longevity, especially when tuning significantly up or down (exceeding 4 semitones in either direction), it is generally recommended to consider using different string gauges appropriate for the altered tension to maintain intonation and prevent premature string wear or breakage.

6th String (Low E): C#3
5th String (A): C#4
4th String (D): C#4
3rd String (G): G#4
2nd String (B): G#4
1st String (High E): G#5