The Hot Mulligan tuning, frequently utilized by the band in their music, such as the track "John the Rock Cena," is a highly specialized setup for an 8-string guitar. This tuning is designed to create a unique sonic landscape, blending extremely low, discordant intervals with higher, more melodic possibilities.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning delivers a powerful, almost jarring low-end combined with shimmering highs, making it ideal for aggressive, riff-driven genres like emo and post-hardcore. The open notes offer a rich palette of B, C#, F#, and G# across several octaves, which can be leveraged for sustained drones, complex polyrhythms, and thick, resonant power chords. Due to the unconventional arrangement of the lowest strings (String 6 B1, String 8 C#2, String 7 G#2), standard open chords are not easily formed; instead, it encourages unique fingerings and specific voicings for maximum impact. The presence of low B and C# alongside their perfect fifths (F# and G#) allows for powerful B5 and C#5 chords, which are fundamental building blocks in heavy music.

Technical Analysis

The open strings from lowest (thickest, String 8) to highest (thinnest, String 1) are: C#2, G#2, B1, F#3, B2, F#4, G#4, C#5. However, arranged by ascending pitch, the full range is B1, C#2, G#2, B2, F#3, F#4, G#4, C#5. This reveals some highly unusual intervals, particularly in the lower register:

• String 8 (C#2) to String 7 (G#2): A Perfect 5th (7 semitones up).
• String 7 (G#2) to String 6 (B1): A significant drop in pitch; B1 is 9 semitones lower than G#2, creating a large, dissonant gap.
• String 6 (B1) to String 5 (F#3): A massive jump of 19 semitones (a Perfect 5th plus two octaves).
• String 5 (F#3) to String 4 (B2): A downward interval of a Perfect 4th (7 semitones down).
• String 4 (B2) to String 3 (F#4): Another large jump of 19 semitones (a Perfect 5th plus two octaves).
• String 3 (F#4) to String 2 (G#4): A Whole Step (2 semitones up).
• String 2 (G#4) to String 1 (C#5): A Perfect 4th (5 semitones up).

This intricate structure indicates a tuning not intended for conventional playing, but rather for specific harmonic textures and extended range riffing. The non-linear relationship between adjacent strings in the lower register, particularly String 6 (B1) being the lowest pitch despite its physical position, is a key characteristic, often used to create a "djent" or progressive feel.

How to Tune

To achieve the Hot Mulligan tuning for an 8-string guitar, follow these steps carefully:

• String 8 (C#2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 7 (G#2): Tune up 2 semitones. Please exercise care when tuning strings up.
• String 6 (B1): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 (F#3): Tune up 2 semitones. Please exercise care when tuning strings up.
• String 4 (B2): Tune up 2 semitones. Please exercise care when tuning strings up.
• String 3 (F#4): Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 2 (G#4): Tune down 3 semitones.
• String 1 (C#5): Tune down 3 semitones.

While none of the individual string adjustments exceed the ±4 semitone threshold that strongly suggests a different string gauge, it is always recommended to check your string tension and intonation after significant tuning changes, especially when tuning strings upwards.

String 8: C#2

String 7: G#2

String 6: B1

String 5: F#3

String 4: B2

String 3: F#4

String 2: G#4

String 1: C#5