The 'Acetone tuning' is a distinctive and highly atmospheric open tuning, perfectly suited for expansive and layered soundscapes, as suggested by its creator's affinity for a 'shoegaze-y context'. This tuning offers a unique palette of open chords, moving beyond conventional voicings with some intriguing twists.

Verbal Analysis

Conceived during a creative moment while stripping paint with acetone, this tuning takes inspiration from its namesake, promising a clean, almost ethereal quality. While described as 'basically like your standard open D with a few differences', it presents a more complex and open sound. The open strings resonate beautifully, forming a Dadd9 chord (D, F#, A, E) spread across the instrument, creating a rich, suspended harmony that can evoke a dreamy or melancholic feel. The creator mentions potential for a 7-string adaptation with a high D, further emphasizing its open, ringing nature. It's noted that the tuning was sometimes adjusted live to EADF#AD to mitigate extreme string tension, highlighting its non-standard nature.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for Acetone tuning are D2-E2-A2-D3-F4#-A3 (low to high). This sequence reveals several key characteristics:

• Open Chord: The arrangement of D, E, A, D, F#, A across the strings forms a wide, open Dadd9 chord. This provides a strong harmonic foundation that is both consonant and slightly yearning due to the added 9th (E).
• Intervals: The intervals between strings are:
  • 6th to 5th (D2-E2): Major 2nd (2 semitones)
  • 5th to 4th (E2-A2): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
  • 4th to 3rd (A2-D3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
  • 3rd to 2nd (D3-F4#): Major 3rd + Octave (16 semitones!) - This is a very large leap, creating a bright, expansive jump in pitch.
  • 2nd to 1st (F4#-A3): Descending Major 6th (9 semitones down) - This is a highly unusual and striking feature. The 1st string is tuned *lower* than the 2nd string, giving the high end of the guitar a unique, almost inverted sound. This particular characteristic allows for unexpected melodic and harmonic voicings.
• Chord Voicings: Beyond the open Dadd9, the unique descending interval on the top strings means that standard chord shapes will produce entirely different sounds. Barre chords would require re-evaluation to utilize the F4# to A3 relationship effectively. This tuning is likely to inspire unique melodic lines and droning textures, especially given the low A3 on the highest string.

How to Tune

To achieve Acetone tuning from standard EADGBE tuning, you will need to adjust each string as follows:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones from E2 to D2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 5 semitones from A2 to E2. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 5 semitones from D3 to A2. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 5 semitones from G3 to D3. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 5 semitones from B3 to F4#. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 7 semitones from E4 to A3. Caution: Tuning down 7 semitones is a very substantial drop. A heavier gauge string is highly recommended for optimal tension and playability.

Due to the extensive downtuning on most strings (5 to 7 semitones), using a heavier gauge string set is strongly recommended to maintain adequate string tension, intonation, and to prevent potential string breakage or 'floppiness' that could affect playability and tone.

6th String: D2

5th String: E2

4th String: A2

3rd String: D3

2nd String: F4#

1st String: A3