Deep Dive: Abyssal Drop B (8-String)

The Abyssal Drop B tuning for an 8-string guitar is a beast designed for those who crave extreme low-end power and extended sonic capabilities. As described, this tuning places a powerful Drop B foundation on the sixth string, augmented by even lower registers featuring a low F# and C# as the bottom-most notes. This unique configuration allows players to tap into a sonic landscape traditionally associated with 9-string guitars, offering incredibly deep, resonant chords and riffs, while maintaining the familiar drop tuning accessibility for single-finger power chords across the lower strings. It effectively provides the low chords of a 9-string standard tuning with the added benefit of a drop B setup underneath.

Technical Analysis:

This custom tuning, laid out as C#2, F#2, B1, F#3, B2, E3, G#4, C#5 (from lowest to highest string), presents a fascinating blend of intervals and harmonic possibilities.

• The Lowest Strings (C#2, F#2): These two strings are tuned a perfect fourth apart, creating a massive, resonant foundation. This interval is ideal for crafting extremely heavy, chugging power chords and djent-style riffs on the lowest possible register.
• The Drop B Section (B1, F#3, B2): The sixth string drops to B1, establishing the 'Drop B' element. Above this, the fifth and fourth strings (F#3 and B2) are tuned a perfect fifth apart (B2 to F#3), providing familiar power chord shapes and open string harmonies that resonate with the B1. This segment offers a powerful, accessible zone for heavy riffing.
• The Upper Register (E3, G#4, C#5): The highest three strings are E3, G#4, and C#5. The E3 to G#4 is a major third, and G#4 to C#5 is a perfect fourth. This sequence (B2, E3, G#4, C#5) creates an open voicing that hints at a B suspended 2nd chord (B, E, G#) with an added C#5, providing a brighter, more complex harmonic texture that can contrast beautifully with the profound depth of the lower strings.

The overall voicing of this tuning allows for extremely heavy, percussive riffs on the lower strings, while the upper register provides opportunities for more intricate lead lines, ambient textures, or shimmering arpeggios. Open chords in this tuning will often carry a massive C# or B tonality, offering an almost orchestral sound. This makes the Abyssal Drop B ideal for genres like djent, extreme metal, cinematic scoring, or progressive rock where extended range and complex harmony are paramount.

How to Tune:

To achieve the Abyssal Drop B tuning, you will be tuning down several strings significantly from a standard 8-string setup. Please proceed with care. When tuning down more than 4 semitones, it is generally advised to consider a heavier gauge string set for optimal tension, intonation, and tone, as the original string may become too slack.

• String 8 (C#2): Tune down 5 semitones. (Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change; consider a heavier gauge string for optimal performance.)
• String 7 (F#2): Tune down 5 semitones. (Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change; consider a heavier gauge string for optimal performance.)
• String 6 (B1): Tune down 5 semitones. (Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change; consider a heavier gauge string for optimal performance.)
• String 5 (F#3): Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 4 (B2): Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 3 (E3): Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 2 (G#4): Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 1 (C#5): Tune down 3 semitones.

Here are the target notes for each string of your 8-string guitar, from the lowest (8th) to the highest (1st):

String 8: C#2
String 7: F#2
String 6: B1
String 5: F#3
String 4: B2
String 3: E3
String 2: G#4
String 1: C#5