This unique 8-string guitar tuning, famously utilized by Animals As Leaders for their song "The Woven Web", offers a truly expansive sonic palette. It combines standard higher strings with incredibly deep low-end capabilities, making it ideal for progressive metal, djent, and other genres demanding extreme range and heavy articulation.

Verbal Analysis

The core of this tuning is its powerful, D-centric foundation. With the 8th string tuned down to a thunderous D1, it plunges into territory typically reserved for bass guitars, providing a crushing, resonant low end perfect for heavy chugs, extended-range riffs, and atmospheric soundscapes. The 6th string is dropped to D2, creating a classic "drop-D" configuration with the 5th (A2) and 4th (D3) strings. This setup makes for effortless power chords and allows for intricate, heavy riffing in the key of D with minimal effort. The upper strings (G3 B3 E4) retain a familiar feel, reminiscent of standard tuning, ensuring that melodic lines and chords in the higher register remain accessible and versatile.

Technical Analysis

The tuning sequence is D1 B1 D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 (from lowest to highest string).

• The repeating D notes (D1, D2, D3) on strings 8, 6, and 4 establish a strong D fundamental across multiple octaves, creating a thick, harmonically rich sound.
• The lower three D notes (D1, D2, D3) combined with the A2 on string 5 provide a massive open D5 power chord capability. Strumming strings 8 through 4 with the open notes D1, B1, D2, A2, D3 produces an enormous and somewhat complex D-based voicing.
• The 6th, 5th, and 4th strings (D2 A2 D3) form a perfect D5 power chord, making it incredibly easy to execute heavy, driving riffs common in dropped tunings.
• The upper three strings (G3 B3 E4) mirror the top three strings of standard E-standard tuning (albeit in specific octaves), allowing for the application of familiar scales, arpeggios, and chord shapes in the higher register.
• The B1 on the 7th string, when played against the D notes, can introduce interesting minor 3rd or major 6th intervals, adding harmonic depth or dissonance depending on context.

While not designed for traditional open strummed chords across all eight strings due to the B notes, this tuning excels at:

• Open D5 Power Chords: Easily achieved on strings 6, 5, 4 (D2, A2, D3) and also on strings 8, 6, 5, 4 (D1, D2, A2, D3) for maximum impact.
• Drone & Pedal Tones: The numerous open D notes are perfect for creating rich, sustained drones over which intricate melodies or harmonies can be played.
• Extended Voicings: The wide range allows for voicings and chords that are simply not possible on a standard 6-string instrument, particularly for low-end bass-like runs.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'AAL The Woven Web 8-String Drop-D' tuning from standard 8-string F#1 B1 E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 tuning, follow these steps:

• 8th String (lowest): Tune down 4 semitones from F#1 to D1. This is a significant drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension and intonation.
• 7th String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard B1 to B1.
• 6th String: Tune down 2 semitones from E2 to D2.
• 5th String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard A2 to A2.
• 4th String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard D3 to D3.
• 3rd String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard G3 to G3.
• 2nd String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard B3 to B3.
• 1st String (highest): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard E4 to E4.

Important Note on String Gauge: When tuning strings down by more than 4 semitones (or up by more than 4 semitones), it is generally recommended to use a different gauge string to ensure optimal playability, maintain proper string tension, and prevent potential damage to your instrument. The 8th string in this tuning, being dropped by 4 semitones, falls exactly on this threshold, making a heavier gauge a wise consideration.