The '7 String Neo Seoul' tuning is an aggressive and deeply resonant setup specifically designed for the demands of modern progressive metal and djent, popularized by bands like After the Burial. Its name explicitly references the song "Neo Seoul," indicating its intended use for capturing the song's distinct sound and heavy, technical riffing style. This tuning offers an exceptionally low sonic foundation, characterized by a unique and somewhat unconventional arrangement of its lowest strings. The non-linear pitching of the two thickest strings (String 7 and String 6) creates a vast, almost unsettling sonic chasm, ideal for percussive, dissonant chugs and intricate, low-frequency riffs that define the genre. While not conducive to traditional open chord voicings across all strings due to its inherent dissonance, the tuning excels in facilitating powerful, technical rhythm work and piercing lead lines in the higher register. It provides a tight, articulate response perfect for high-gain applications and complex, syncopated rhythms.

This is a 7-string guitar tuning with the notes from thickest to thinnest string as follows: C#3, F2, A#3, D#4, G#4, C#5, F#5. A notable characteristic is the F2 on the 6th string being pitched lower than the C#3 on the 7th string. This creates a unique sonic profile, as the second-thickest string is actually the lowest sounding note in the tuning, challenging conventional string relationships and offering distinctive low-end possibilities. The open string pitches, from lowest sounding to highest, are F2, C#3, A#3, D#4, G#4, C#5, F#5. The interval between the 7th string (C#3) and 6th string (F2) is an upward diminished 5th (or downward augmented 4th), which contributes to the tuning's unique, low-end dissonance and percussive potential.

However, the upper five strings (String 5 through String 1: A#3, D#4, G#4, C#5, F#5) are consistently tuned in perfect fourths. This systematic arrangement in the higher register is highly advantageous for constructing power chords, riffs, and scale patterns with minimal finger movement, allowing for speed and complexity often found in technical metal genres. For instance, open power chords can be readily formed on the upper strings:

• Open D# Power Chord: Can be played using String 5 (A#3, 5th) and String 4 (D#4, root).
• Open G# Power Chord: Can be played using String 4 (D#4, 5th) and String 3 (G#4, root).
• Open C# Power Chord: Can be played using String 3 (G#4, 5th) and String 2 (C#5, root).
• Open F# Power Chord: Can be played using String 2 (C#5, 5th) and String 1 (F#5, root).

This structure makes it exceptionally easy to play fast, single-finger power chords by barring across these strings. The overall range of the tuning is very low, making it ideal for the drop-tuned, heavy sounds characteristic of its namesake.

How to Tune to '7 String Neo Seoul'

To achieve the '7 String Neo Seoul' tuning, adjust each string from its standard pitch as follows. All string movements are within safe limits for standard string gauges (below 4 semitones up or down), so a change in string gauge is generally not advised unless you prefer a different string tension:

• String 7 (Thickest String): Tune up 2 semitones to reach C#3.
• String 6: Tune up 1 semitone to reach F2.
• String 5: Tune up 1 semitone to reach A#3.
• String 4: Tune up 1 semitone to reach D#4.
• String 3: Tune up 1 semitone to reach G#4.
• String 2: Tune up 2 semitones to reach C#5.
• String 1 (Thinnest String): Tune up 2 semitones to reach F#5.

The notes for the '7 String Neo Seoul' tuning, from the thickest (7th) string to the thinnest (1st) string, are:

• String 7: C#3
• String 6: F2
• String 5: A#3
• String 4: D#4
• String 3: G#4
• String 2: C#5
• String 1: F#5