The Loathe Tuning is a distinctive guitar tuning, notably utilized by the UK metalcore band Loathe to craft their signature heavy and atmospheric sound. This setup dramatically lowers the overall pitch of the instrument, creating a deeply resonant and aggressive sonic landscape, perfectly suited for the metalcore genre.

Technical Analysis:

This tuning transforms the standard E-A-D-G-B-e guitar into an incredibly low E1-A1-E2-A2-D3-F#4 configuration. The core of this tuning lies in its deep detuning, extending even beyond typical baritone guitar ranges for the lower strings. Let's break down the intervals between the open strings:

• 6th String (E1) to 5th String (A1): Perfect Fourth (P4)
• 5th String (A1) to 4th String (E2): Perfect Fifth (P5)
• 4th String (E2) to 3rd String (A2): Perfect Fourth (P4)
• 3rd String (A2) to 2nd String (D3): Perfect Fourth (P4)
• 2nd String (D3) to 1st String (F#4): Major Third (M3)

The predominant Perfect Fourths and the Perfect Fifth between the 5th and 4th strings create a strong, powerful foundation, ideal for crushing riffs and open-string chugging. The significant drop in pitch across all strings allows for immense low-end impact and a sludgy, almost bass-like quality. The top two strings, D3 and F#4, form a major third, providing a brighter, more melodic contrast on the higher register, allowing for interesting harmonic possibilities within the generally dark tuning.

Open Chords and Shapes:

With E1-A1-E2-A2-D3-F#4, several powerful open voicings become available:

• Open E Power Chord/E Minor: By muting or omitting the first string, the open 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings (E-A-E-A-D) create a powerful E minor 7th chord or a robust E power chord (E-A-E-A). This provides a dominant root for heavy riffing.
• Open A Power Chord: The 5th, 4th, and 3rd strings (A-E-A) immediately form an A power chord, easily accessible for rapid shifts between E and A based riffs.
• Drone Tones: The repeated E and A notes across octaves (E1, E2 and A1, A2) make drone-style playing very effective, enhancing the atmospheric and heavy nature of the band's sound.
• Fretboard Shapes: Traditional power chord shapes on the lower strings will translate to very heavy, deep voicings. The unusual interval on the top two strings (Major Third) will require rethinking standard chord shapes but opens up unique harmonic textures for lead lines and dissonant chords.

How to Tune:

This tuning requires significant detuning from a standard EADGBe setup. Due to the extreme changes, especially tuning down by 9 to 12 semitones, it is highly recommended to use heavier gauge strings to maintain proper tension and intonation, and to avoid string breakage or damage to your guitar's neck.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 12 semitones to achieve the note E1. (This is an entire octave down from standard E2)
• 5th String (A): Tune down 12 semitones to achieve the note A1. (This is an entire octave down from standard A2)
• 4th String (D): Tune down 10 semitones to achieve the note E2. (From standard D3)
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 10 semitones to achieve the note A2. (From standard G3)
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 9 semitones to achieve the note D3. (From standard B3)
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 10 semitones to achieve the note F#4.

Given that all strings are tuned down by 9 or more semitones, string gauges significantly heavier than standard are strongly advised to maintain playability and guitar health. Consult a string tension calculator or a luthier for optimal string choices for such extreme tunings.