Tuning Analysis: Vultures Asking Alexandria Custom Drop

This is a unique and aggressively tailored custom tuning for the Guitar, specifically designed for Asking Alexandria's song "Vultures". It represents a significant departure from standard tuning, crafted to deliver the heavy, resonant, and powerful sonic landscape characteristic of metalcore music.

Verbal Description:

The "Vultures Asking Alexandria Custom Drop" tuning immediately suggests a profound impact and a dark tonal quality. The lowest string is dropped significantly to D#, providing a thick, growling foundation. Interestingly, the 5th string remains at its standard A, creating a prominent perfect fourth interval with the D# on the 6th string. This specific interval allows for powerful, wide-sounding riffs that deviate from typical power chord voicings, offering a unique sonic texture.

A defining characteristic of this tuning is the uniform drop of three semitones across the top three strings (G, B, and high E) to E, G#, and C# respectively. This consistency can aid in adapting certain fretboard shapes, while fundamentally reshaping the guitar's harmonic possibilities. The open string configuration (D# A C# E G# C#) does not resolve into a simple, common chord. Instead, it forms a complex, often dissonant cluster, indicating that this tuning is not intended for open strumming of basic chords, but rather for intricate riff-work, specific power chord voicings, and targeted single-note melodic lines. This setup is perfectly suited for Asking Alexandria's blend of heavy breakdowns and melodic aggression.

Technical Analysis:

The open notes for this tuning, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st) string, are **D#3 A2 C#4 E3 G#4 C#5**. Let's examine its structure relative to standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E):

• 6th String (Low E): Tuned down 1 semitone to D#3. This is akin to a drop tuning on the lowest string, providing immediate depth.
• 5th String (A): Retained at its standard A2. The interval from D# to A is a perfect 4th (5 semitones), which is distinct from the typical perfect 5th found in many dropped tunings.
• 4th String (D): Tuned down 1 semitone to C#4. This creates powerful low-end intervallic opportunities when played in conjunction with the D# on the 6th string.
• 3rd String (G): Tuned down 3 semitones to E3.
• 2nd String (B): Tuned down 3 semitones to G#4.
• 1st String (High E): Tuned down 3 semitones to C#5.

The open strings reveal a sophisticated harmonic intent. The notes C#, E, and G# (found on the 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings) collectively form a C# minor triad. This makes C# minor chords and related arpeggios highly accessible across these strings. For instance, an open C# minor chord can be easily achieved by barring across the C#4 (4th string), E3 (3rd string), G#4 (2nd string), and C#5 (1st string). The combination of the D# and A on the lowest strings, while not a standard power chord (D# power chord requires A#), offers unique heavy intervals for chugging riffs and rhythmic accents. This tuning prioritizes specific intervallic and harmonic combinations over universal chord accessibility, perfectly serving the aggressive and complex musicality of "Vultures."

How to Tune: Vultures Asking Alexandria Custom Drop

To set up your Guitar for the "Vultures Asking Alexandria Custom Drop" tuning, follow these precise string adjustments from a standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). Always use a reliable digital tuner for accuracy.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 1 semitone from E to **D#3**.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from A to **A2**.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone from D to **C#4**.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones from G to **E3**.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 3 semitones from B to **G#4**.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 3 semitones from E to **C#5**.

Important Tuning Considerations: When altering your guitar's tuning significantly, it's generally advisable to consider using string gauges optimized for the new tension. While the adjustments for this particular tuning are within common safe limits (none exceeding 4 semitones up or down), always tune with care and be mindful of your instrument's neck and bridge stability. For changes exceeding 4 semitones in either direction, a different string gauge is strongly recommended to maintain optimal playability and guitar health.