The "8 String Asus4" tuning is an expansive 8-string guitar setup designed for players seeking deep resonance and unique harmonic possibilities, particularly those inspired by lower tunings like DADGAD but extended for an 8-string platform. As described by its creator, the aim was to achieve a specific sonic landscape while minimizing string tension changes, resulting in a rich, droning, and powerful sound.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning transforms the 8-string into a veritable sonic canvas, providing a formidable low-end presence with its deep E1 and A1 strings. The overall feel is open and resonant, lending itself perfectly to ambient soundscapes, heavy riffing in genres like djent and progressive metal, or even experimental music. The arrangement of notes, particularly the repeating intervals, encourages a droning quality that can be both menacing and beautiful, offering a wide dynamic range from subtle textures to crushing power.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for this 8-string tuning are, from lowest to highest: E1 A1 E2 A2 D3 E3 A3 D4. Analyzing the intervals between consecutive strings reveals a distinct pattern:

• 8th String (E1) to 7th String (A1): Perfect Fourth (P4)
• 7th String (A1) to 6th String (E2): Perfect Fourth (P4)
• 6th String (E2) to 5th String (A2): Perfect Fourth (P4)
• 5th String (A2) to 4th String (D3): Perfect Fourth (P4)
• 4th String (D3) to 3rd String (E3): Major Second (M2)
• 3rd String (E3) to 2nd String (A3): Perfect Fourth (P4)
• 2nd String (A3) to 1st String (D4): Perfect Fourth (P4)

The prevalence of Perfect Fourth intervals across most strings creates a consistent, wide-spanning structure, making it highly intuitive for constructing power chords and barre chords. The unique Major Second interval between the 4th (D3) and 3rd (E3) strings (D-E) breaks this pattern, introducing a distinct harmonic tension or drone opportunity. The overall collection of open notes (E, A, D) strongly suggests an Asus4 tonality (A-D-E) or an E minor 7th sus4 without a third, providing a rich, modal foundation.

Open Chords and Playability

Strumming all open strings yields a powerful, resonant cluster of E, A, and D notes, forming an immediate open Asus4 or E minor sus4 chord sound, ripe for experimentation. Power chords are incredibly accessible due to the numerous P4 intervals; simply barring a single fret across multiple lower strings will often produce massive, harmonically dense voicings. The consistent intervals make it easy to transpose chord shapes up and down the neck. The deep E1 and A1 strings are ideal for extremely low riffs and percussive chugging, while the upper strings still allow for melodic phrases and extended chord voicings. The distinctive Major Second interval (D3-E3) can be creatively exploited for unique voicings and dissonant drones, adding a sophisticated character to progressions.

How to Tune

To achieve the 8 String Asus4 tuning, adjust your strings as follows. Please exercise caution when tuning strings significantly up or down; if movements exceed -4 or +4 semitones, a different gauge string may be advisable.

• 8th String: Tune down 2 semitones to E1.
• 7th String: Tune down 2 semitones to A1.
• 6th String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E2.
• 5th String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
• 4th String: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• 3rd String: Tune down 3 semitones to E3. (Note: This is a notable drop. Consider string tension and intonation.)
• 2nd String: Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String: Tune down 2 semitones to D4.