This is a highly distinctive and expansive 8-string tuning for a Cigar Box Guitar, designed to offer a broad sonic palette with a strong, deep C# foundation. It moves far beyond conventional tunings, providing a unique landscape for musical exploration, whether you're delving into blues, experimental, or even jazz-infused styles. The wide range and specific intervallic relationships between the open strings encourage novel chord voicings and melodic patterns that are truly one-of-a-kind.

Technical Analysis

• The tuning spans an impressive range of over three octaves, from a very low C#2 on the 8th string to a bright D4 on the 1st string.
• The open string notes are: C#2, G#2, D#3, A#3, F3, C4, G3, D4.
• The lowest four strings (C#2, G#2, D#3, A#3) establish a powerful C# minor/dominant feel. Specifically, C#2-G#2 form a perfect fifth, while D#3 (a major second above C#3) and A#3 (a major sixth above C#3) add rich harmonic extensions. This cluster creates a deep, resonant foundation.
• The middle and higher strings (F3, C4, G3, D4) form an interesting sequence. F3 to C4 is a perfect fifth, C4 to G3 is a perfect fourth down (or G3 to C4 is a perfect fourth up), and G3 to D4 is a perfect fifth up. This can be interpreted as an Fsus2sus4 or Fadd9add11 voicing (F, C, G, D), providing a bright, open quality that contrasts with the lower strings.
• Combined, the tuning suggests a complex C# tonality with extended harmonies. An open C#5 power chord is immediately available on the lowest two strings. Furthermore, the wide spread of notes makes it conducive to exploring wide voicings of C# minor, Dorian, or even Phrygian-dominant scales, with the F and D notes adding unique color. The F3-C4-G3-D4 cluster also makes F-based suspended or extended chords easily accessible.

How to Tune

Achieving this unique tuning involves significant adjustments for several strings. Please exercise caution, especially with larger semitone movements, as they can affect string tension and potentially require a different string gauge for optimal performance and instrument safety. When tuning down, your string may become too slack if it's not a heavy enough gauge. When tuning up significantly, a string may be prone to breaking if it's too thick.

• String 8 (C#2): Tune down 5 semitones to reach C#2. (Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones exceeds the recommended threshold; a heavier gauge string is advised.)
• String 7 (G#2): Tune down 3 semitones to reach G#2.
• String 6 (D#3): Tune down 1 semitone to reach D#3.
• String 5 (A#3): Tune up 1 semitone to reach A#3.
• String 4 (F3): Tune up 3 semitones to reach F3.
• String 3 (C4): Tune up 5 semitones to reach C4. (Caution: Tuning up 5 semitones is a very substantial increase in tension, exceeding the recommended threshold. A lighter gauge string is strongly advised.)
• String 2 (G3): Tune down 4 semitones to reach G3.
• String 1 (D4): Tune down 2 semitones to reach D4.

From thickest to thinnest string:

• String 8: C#2
• String 7: G#2
• String 6: D#3
• String 5: A#3
• String 4: F3
• String 3: C4
• String 2: G3
• String 1: D4