Welcome to the abyss! The E Standard (7-String) tuning is a behemoth, taking the common B Standard 7-string tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B-E) and plunging it a full seven semitones lower. This dramatic drop results in a deeply resonant and incredibly heavy sound, making it a cornerstone for genres that demand extreme low-end power, such as progressive metal, djent, doom metal, and other forms of heavy music.

Verbal Analysis

When playing in E Standard, you'll immediately notice the immense depth and guttural roar from the lowest E string. This tuning creates a thick, almost bass-like foundation, allowing for incredibly weighty chugging riffs and earth-shattering power chords. The overall feel is one of immense gravitas and a slightly looser string tension (unless using significantly heavier gauge strings). It's a tuning that commands attention, filling the sonic spectrum with a dark and brooding character. While significantly lower, the consistent interval structure of standard tuning is largely maintained, meaning familiar chord shapes and scale patterns remain relevant, simply transposed to a much lower register.

Technical Analysis

The open strings for E Standard (7-String) are E1 A1 D2 G2 C3 E3 A3. This represents a perfect fifth (7 semitones) descent from the standard B-E-A-D-G-B-E 7-string tuning. The interval structure between strings is as follows:

• String 7 (E1) to String 6 (A1): Perfect Fourth
• String 6 (A1) to String 5 (D2): Perfect Fourth
• String 5 (D2) to String 4 (G2): Perfect Fourth
• String 4 (G2) to String 3 (C3): Perfect Fourth
• String 3 (C3) to String 2 (E3): Major Third
• String 2 (E3) to String 1 (A3): Perfect Fourth

This familiar pattern of mostly perfect fourths with a single major third between the 3rd and 2nd strings ensures that many chord shapes and scale patterns from standard tuning are directly transferable, albeit with a deeper sonic impact. Open power chords, such as E5 (E1-A1-E2) or A5 (A1-D2-A2), are easily achievable, providing a massive low-end wall of sound. The low E1 makes for incredibly heavy single-note riffs and allows for extended range bass lines when needed. Barre chords will also take on a much thicker, more resonant quality due to the lower frequencies.

How to Tune to E Standard (7-String)

This tuning requires a significant adjustment from standard B-E-A-D-G-B-E 7-string tuning. Each string is tuned down 7 semitones. When tuning down by more than 4 semitones (or tuning up), it is generally advisable to consider using a different string gauge to maintain optimal string tension and intonation, and to prevent string damage.

• String 7 (Lowest): Tune to E1. This involves tuning the string down 7 semitones.
• String 6: Tune to A1. This involves tuning the string down 7 semitones.
• String 5: Tune to D2. This involves tuning the string down 7 semitones.
• String 4: Tune to G2. This involves tuning the string down 7 semitones.
• String 3: Tune to C3. This involves tuning the string down 7 semitones.
• String 2: Tune to E3. This involves tuning the string down 7 semitones.
• String 1 (Highest): Tune to A3. This involves tuning the string down 7 semitones.