Tuning Analysis: Zomething Zome Tuning

The "Zomething Zome" tuning, proudly presented as a creation from "the greatest awful band in the world, pants in ties," is a powerfully low and intensely atmospheric guitar setup. It's designed to deliver a deep, dark, and resonant sound, perfect for genres that demand a heavy presence and a unique sonic signature.

Verbal Description

Plunging the guitar into a notably lower register, the "Zomething Zome" tuning immediately evokes a sense of brooding power and industrial-tinged intensity. It's a tuning that thrives on its unique harmonic tension, moving away from conventional major/minor structures towards something more augmented and metallic. The consistent flattening of most strings, combined with the significantly dropped lowest string, creates a sonic landscape that is both heavy and complex. This isn't a tuning for lighthearted strumming; it's built for crushing riffs, intricate single-note lines that resonate with unusual depth, and a generally darker musical palette.

Technical Analysis

• Overall Pitch Shift: This tuning is primarily a semitone below standard EADGBe for the top five strings, with the lowest string dropped even further. The open notes are D2 G#3 C#4 F#4 A#4 D#5.
• String Intervals: From low to high, the intervals are: Augmented 4th (D2 to G#3), Perfect 4th (G#3 to C#4), Perfect 4th (C#4 to F#4), Major 3rd (F#4 to A#4), Perfect 4th (A#4 to D#5). This largely mirrors standard tuning intervals (P4, P4, P4, M3, P4) but with a significant alteration on the lowest string's relationship to the rest.
• Effective G# Standard with Drop D: The five higher strings (G#3 C#4 F#4 A#4 D#5) collectively form a coherent 'G# Standard' tuning (all notes are a semitone below standard A D G B E). The lowest string, D2, is then dropped even further, making it analogous to a 'Drop D' configuration but within this G# standard framework.
• Open Chord Voicings: Strumming all open strings (D2 G#3 C#4 F#4 A#4 D#5) results in a highly augmented and dissonant sound. The notes D, F#, A# form a D Augmented triad, providing a strong harmonic flavor. This suggests the tuning is not designed for traditional open major/minor chords but rather for creating tension, specific intervals, or as a foundation for heavy single-note riffs and power chords.
• Playability: Power chords will be highly accessible, especially across the lower strings, by barring. The consistent intervals between strings 5 through 1 (G#3 C#4 F#4 A#4 D#5) mean that chord shapes familiar from standard tuning will translate, simply transposed down a semitone. The distinct low D string provides an excellent platform for deep, chugging riffs, giving a heavy, driving feel that is characteristic of drop tunings.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Zomething Zome" tuning, start from standard EADGBe and adjust each string as follows:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 1 semitones to G#3.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitones to C#4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitones to F#4.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 1 semitones to A#4.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 1 semitones to D#5.

Note: All string movements are within a safe range for standard guitar strings.

6th String: D2

5th String: G#3

4th String: C#4

3rd String: F#4

2nd String: A#4

1st String: D#5