Verbal Analysis

This 'Open E6th (C# Bass)' tuning creates a truly expansive and harmonically rich soundscape, perfect for guitarists looking to explore lush textures and resonant voicings. The open strings immediately present a full E major 6th chord, making it a fantastic foundation for ambient soundscapes, intricate fingerstyle pieces, or expressive rhythm guitar work where a deeply consonant, full chord is desired. The significant drops in pitch on the lower strings provide a weighty, resonant bass response, contributing to a feeling of depth and breadth. While the lower strings are drastically altered, the higher strings maintain familiar pitches, offering a blend of new possibilities and comfort. This blend encourages creative exploration, allowing for both familiar melodic concepts and innovative harmonic structures.

Technical Analysis

The tuning transforms the standard EADGBe into C#3 E2 B2 G#4 B3 E4 (from low to high string). This arrangement is particularly interesting as the open strings collectively form an E major 6th chord (E-G#-B-C#) spread across a wide range, featuring multiple octaves and strategic inversions. The pitches present are E2, B2, C#3, B3, E4, and G#4. The lowest string is tuned to C#3, which serves as the sixth of the E major chord, or the root of a C# minor 7 chord. The unique intervallic structure includes a perfect 5th between string 5 (E2) and string 4 (B2), and notably, the top three strings (G#4, B3, E4) form a clear E major triad, offering a familiar cluster for lead playing and chord extensions. The overall voicing is full and open, providing a strong harmonic basis without requiring fretting.

Chords within Reach

• Open Chord: The most immediate chord is an E major 6th (E-G#-B-C#) simply by strumming all open strings. This also strongly implies a C# minor 7th chord (C#-E-G#-B), as these are the same notes.
• Barre Chords: By barring all six strings at any fret, you can easily transpose the E major 6th chord up the neck. For example, barring at the 1st fret yields an F major 6th, and at the 2nd fret, an F# major 6th.
• Upper Register Chords: Due to strings 3, 2, and 1 forming an E major triad (G#4, B3, E4), many common shapes for E, A, and B chords (or their inversions) can be adapted quickly on these higher strings, allowing for melodic runs and familiar chord fragments without disturbing the deep open harmony.
• Root-Fifth Chords: The presence of E2 and B2 on strings 5 and 4 respectively creates an open perfect fifth, which can be easily utilized for power chords or drone notes.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Open E6th (C# Bass)' tuning from standard EADGBe:

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 3 semitones from E3 to C#3.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 5 semitones from A3 to E2. Important Note: Tuning down 5 semitones is a substantial change. For optimal playability, intonation, and string longevity, it is highly recommended to use a heavier gauge string for this string.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 3 semitones from D3 to B2.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 1 semitones from G3 to G#4.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from B3.
• String 1 (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from E4.

String 6: C#3 (C sharp three)

String 5: E2 (E two)

String 4: B2 (B two)

String 3: G#4 (G sharp four)

String 2: B3 (B three)

String 1: E4 (E four)