Tuning Analysis: Low Delta Drop

The Low Delta Drop tuning is an exceptionally deep and highly custom guitar tuning, designed to explore unique sonic landscapes far below standard pitch. As its creator notes, it's primarily intended for radical down-tuning, opening doors to sounds that range from dark ambient textures and weighty drones to experimental, percussive arrangements.

Technical Breakdown

This tuning sets the guitar's open strings to the following notes, from lowest (6th) to highest (1st):

• 6th String: D2
• 5th String: B1
• 4th String: F#3
• 3rd String: C3
• 2nd String: F3
• 1st String: G3

Observing these notes, we see a guitar tuned to an extremely low range, with the lowest note being a B1 on the 5th string – a full octave below the 6th string's D2. This creates massive intervals between strings, particularly:

• A minor third descent from the 6th string (D2) to the 5th string (B1), but with the 5th string being an octave lower than the D.
• A striking jump from B1 (5th string) up to F#3 (4th string) – a compound major third.
• A tritone (diminished fifth) descent from F#3 (4th string) to C3 (3rd string).

The resulting open string collection (B1, D2, C3, F3, F#3, G3) does not form a conventional major or minor chord, hinting at its experimental nature. However, certain harmonic elements emerge:

• The combination of D2 (6th), F#3 (4th), and G3 (1st) suggests a D suspended 4th chord (Dsus4) or elements of a G major harmony.
• The B1 (5th), D2 (6th), F#3 (4th) form a clear B minor triad, offering a foundation for melancholic or dark voicings if these strings are emphasized.
• The cluster of C3, F3, F#3, G3 in the upper strings provides opportunities for rich dissonances, altered dominant voicings, or tight, complex chord fragments that can be exploited for unique textural effects.

Due to its radical intervals and extreme range, standard chord shapes are largely rendered unusable, encouraging players to discover new voicings, arpeggios, and drones. This tuning is ideal for creating expansive soundscapes, heavy riffs that utilize the deep resonance, or avant-garde explorations where traditional harmony is less of a concern than unique sonic textures and extended voicings.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Low Delta Drop

Achieving the Low Delta Drop tuning requires significant down-tuning across all strings from standard E-A-D-G-B-e. Given the extreme changes, especially those exceeding 4 semitones in either direction, it is highly recommended to use a heavier gauge of strings to maintain tension, intonation, and prevent string breakage.

• 6th String (E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 10 semitones to B1. This is a very significant drop, indicating a need for a much thicker string.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 8 semitones to F#3. Another substantial drop; consider a heavier gauge.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 7 semitones to C3. This is a considerable drop; string gauge adjustment is advised.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 6 semitones to F3. A notable drop; consider a heavier gauge.
• 1st String (e): Tune down 9 semitones to G3. This is a very large drop, a heavier gauge string is essential for this string.

Here are the notes for each string in the Low Delta Drop tuning:

• 6th String: D2
• 5th String: B1
• 4th String: F#3
• 3rd String: C3
• 2nd String: F3
• 1st String: G3