The Tomboy Tuning is a unique and unconventional 5-string guitar tuning designed to open up new sonic possibilities, particularly for creating "sus2" chords, as famously heard in songs like "Everlong." This tuning presents a rich, resonant sound with a strong underlying fifth, but also introduces intriguing dissonances and re-entrant characteristics.

Technical Analysis

This tuning utilizes a five-string configuration, with the open notes for what would typically be a 6-string guitar's A, D, G, B, and high E strings, respectively, being:

• String 5 (Lowest described): C#3
• String 4: G#3
• String 3: C#4
• String 2: G3
• String 1 (Highest described): A#4

Analyzing the actual pitches from lowest to highest: C#3, G3, G#3, C#4, A#4. Notably, String 2 (G3) is tuned lower than String 3 (C#4), making this a re-entrant tuning. This unusual arrangement, where a higher-numbered string is tuned to a lower pitch than a lower-numbered string, can lead to unexpected voicings and fingerings, offering a distinct textural quality.

The foundation of the tuning (Strings 5, 4, and 3: C#3, G#3, C#4) forms a robust C#5 power chord. This strong root-fifth-octave structure provides a powerful and resonant base. The addition of String 2 (G3) introduces a natural G, which creates a complex harmonic tension against the C# root. When played with the C#, G can be heard as a diminished 5th, or a natural 7th, depending on the harmonic context. The highest string, A#4 (enharmonically Bb4), further expands the harmonic palette, adding a major 6th interval above C#, or a minor 7th against G#.

The tuning's stated purpose is to "make sus2 (everlong) chords easier." While the open strings don't form a simple sus2 chord directly (a C#sus2 would typically require C#, D#, G#), the intervals present facilitate certain sus2 shapes. The perfect fifth between String 5 and String 4 (C#3 to G#3) and the perfect fourth between String 4 and String 3 (G#3 to C#4) are common building blocks for sus2 voicings. The re-entrant nature and the unique interplay of the G3 and A#4 might enable open or easily fretted sus2 shapes that leverage these specific intervals and dissonances for a richer, more open sound, reminiscent of the expansive chords found in alternative rock.

How to Tune

To achieve the Tomboy Tuning, adjust your guitar strings as follows. Remember to always tune carefully and gradually. Tuning down significantly is generally safer than tuning up, but extreme changes (beyond 4 semitones in either direction) may warrant a change in string gauge for optimal tension and playability.

• String 5: Tune down 3 semitones to C3#.
• String 4: Tune down 1 semitone to G3#.
• String 3: Tune down 1 semitone to C4#.
• String 2: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to G3.
• String 1: Tune down 1 semitone to A4#.

Please note that for tuning up or down more than 4 semitones, it's generally recommended to consider a different string gauge to maintain proper string tension and avoid potential damage to your guitar. All movements in this tuning are within the recommended range for standard string gauges.

The open strings for Tomboy Tuning are as follows, listed from the lowest to the highest string number described in the tuning:

• String 5: C#3
• String 4: G#3
• String 3: C#4
• String 2: G3
• String 1: A#4