This tuning, affectionately known as "Superbass Bottom Three," delves into exceptionally low frequencies, creating a profound and resonant soundscape. It's described as a favorite by Parlos, noting its use with his "Cinderella" for a truly unique sonic character. The experience of playing in this tuning is designed to be deeply impactful, pushing the boundaries of what's expected from a standard guitar.

Technical Analysis

"Superbass Bottom Three" dramatically reconfigures the guitar's lower register while retaining standard tuning on the upper strings. The core of this tuning involves dropping the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings a full octave below standard EADGBe. This creates an incredibly deep and thick foundation, perfect for genres requiring massive bass presence, drone effects, or avant-garde sound textures. The upper three strings (G3, B3, E4) remain in their standard positions, allowing for familiar melody lines, chords, and arpeggios in the higher register to coexist with the super-low bass.

While there isn't a simple major or minor chord formed by strumming all open strings (E1 A1 D2 G3 B3 E4), the combination offers a complex, rich, and somewhat dissonant extended E minor voicing with exceptionally low roots. However, the retention of standard tuning on the top three strings means that familiar G major, E minor, and C major (using G-B-E and adding a finger) shapes are readily available in the higher register. The true power lies in the ability to create massive power chords on the lower strings or to construct intricate counterpoints between the deep bass and the higher melodies.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Superbass Bottom Three" tuning from standard EADGBe, follow these steps:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 12 semitones to E1. This is a significant drop of a full octave. For optimal playability and to prevent string breakage or intonation issues, a much thicker gauge string is strongly advised for this string.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 12 semitones to A1. Similar to the 6th string, this is a full-octave drop. A thicker gauge string is highly recommended to handle this extreme slack.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 12 semitones to D2. Again, a full octave down. Consider using a thicker gauge string to maintain tension and tone.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard G3.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard B3.
• 1st String (High E): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) from standard E4.

Important Note: Tuning strings down by 12 semitones (a full octave) is an extreme adjustment. Standard string gauges may become too slack, leading to buzzing, poor intonation, and a flabby tone. For the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings, it is highly recommended to use significantly heavier gauge strings specifically designed for very low tunings to achieve the best results and ensure the longevity of your instrument's setup.