Prepare for a truly unique and low-end sonic experience with Deep 5ths tuning. This setup transforms your instrument into a beast designed for thunderous, resonant tones, reminiscent of a cello or mandocello, but taken to an extreme depth.

Verbal Analysis: The Low-End Realm

As described by its originator, this tuning, affectionately termed "Deep 5ths," is a continuation of the "rhythm from hell" philosophy. It expands upon the original aebf#c# tuning, known from the Schechter Celloblaster and the pioneering work of Alex Gregory, by adding an even lower D string. This creates a formidable 6-string all-fifths tuning (D-A-E-B-F#-C#), venturing into territories typically explored by bassists or specialized low-tuned instruments.

The inspiration for Deep 5ths draws from a rich lineage, including the raw power of bands like Lightning Bolt and the "hardcore tuning" concept. It speaks to players seeking to push the boundaries of their guitar's range, allowing for a crushing, wall-of-sound presence that is both percussive and harmonically rich. This tuning is particularly suited for baritone guitars or even extended-range instruments (7-string, 8-string) to fully embrace its sonic potential without sacrificing string tension.

Technical Analysis: All-Fifths Dominance

This tuning for a Guitar (specifically ideal for a Baritone) maintains a consistent interval of a perfect fifth between all adjacent strings. From the lowest to the highest string, the intervals are precisely 7 semitones apart:

• String 6 (D2) to String 5 (A2): Perfect Fifth
• String 5 (A2) to String 4 (E3): Perfect Fifth
• String 4 (E3) to String 3 (B3): Perfect Fifth
• String 3 (B3) to String 2 (F4#): Perfect Fifth
• String 2 (F4#) to String 1 (C5#): Perfect Fifth

The low D2 makes this an exceptionally deep tuning, offering a massive sonic foundation. The consistent perfect fifth intervals across all strings mean that chord shapes are highly transferable across the fretboard, and power chords become incredibly simple to form with just one or two fingers. However, traditional open chords will be entirely re-voiced and require new fingerings, presenting a creative challenge for players accustomed to standard or even drop tunings.

Open Chords & Shapes

With an all-fifths tuning, the open strings themselves do not form conventional major or minor chords, but rather an extended series of stacked perfect fifths. This creates a vast, resonant power chord (D5, A5, E5, B5, F#5, C#5) across the entire instrument when strummed open, perfect for drone-like textures or heavy, sustained riffs.

• Power Chords: These are exceptionally easy to form. Any two adjacent strings fretted at the same position will yield a perfect fifth, creating an instant power chord. For instance, fret two adjacent strings at the 5th fret, and you have a power chord. This makes rhythmic, low-end chugging very intuitive.
• Root-Fifth-Octave Chords: By fretting a string and the string two below it at the same fret, you achieve a root-fifth-octave structure, providing an even fuller power chord.
• Triads: Forming major or minor triads will require stretching across frets. A common strategy in all-fifths tuning is to find the root on one string, the fifth on an adjacent string (same fret), and then locate the third (major or minor) on another string, often necessitating a diagonal shape across the fretboard. This encourages more linear playing and unique voicings not found in standard tuning.
• Melodic Playing: The consistent interval makes scale and arpeggio shapes highly symmetrical and predictable across the strings, offering new avenues for lead playing and improvisation.

How to Tune

To achieve the Deep 5ths tuning (D2 A2 E3 B3 F4# C5#) from standard E tuning (E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4), follow these instructions:

• 6th String (Low E): From standard E2, tune down 2 semitones. This will result in D2. The target note for this string is D2.
• 5th String (A): From standard A2, keep as is; no change (0 semitones). This will result in A2. The target note for this string is A2.
• 4th String (D): From standard D3, tune up 2 semitones. This will result in E3. The target note for this string is E3.
• 3rd String (G): From standard G3, tune up 4 semitones. This will result in B3. The target note for this string is B3. Note: Tuning up 4 semitones is a significant change. Consider using a lighter gauge string for this if you experience excessive tension or frequent string breakage.
• 2nd String (B): From standard B3, tune down 5 semitones. This will result in F#3. The target note for this string is F4#. Note: Tuning down 5 semitones is a substantial drop in pitch. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain adequate tension and tone for the target note of F4#. The specified movement of tuning down 5 semitones from B3 would typically result in F#3. To reach F4# from B3, you would typically tune up 7 semitones. Please ensure you are comfortable with the string tension for the desired F4#.
• 1st String (High E): From standard E4, tune down 3 semitones. This will result in C#4. The target note for this string is C5#. Note: The specified movement of tuning down 3 semitones from E4 would typically result in C#4. To reach C5# from E4, you would typically tune up 9 semitones. Please ensure you are comfortable with the string tension for the desired C5#.

The Deep 5ths tuning is composed of the following notes, from lowest to highest string:

• 6th String: D2
• 5th String: A2
• 4th String: E3
• 3rd String: B3
• 2nd String: F4#
• 1st String: C5#