This is a highly experimental and dissonant tuning designed for a 7-string guitar, aptly named "7-string tritones in E1 fixed". As the name suggests, the core principle behind this tuning is the consistent use of tritone intervals between adjacent strings. It begins with a very low E1 on the 7th string, setting a dark and heavy foundation.

Technical Analysis

This tuning is characterized by a repeating pattern of E and A# (Bɦ), where each adjacent pair of strings is separated by a tritone (an augmented fourth or diminished fifth). This creates a unique sonic landscape, far removed from standard tunings.

• Intervals: The open string intervals are consistently tritones:
• String 7 (E1) to String 6 (A#2) - Augmented Fourth (6 semitones)
• String 6 (A#2) to String 5 (E2) - Diminished Fifth (6 semitones)
• String 5 (E2) to String 4 (A#3) - Augmented Fourth (6 semitones)
• String 4 (A#3) to String 3 (E3) - Diminished Fifth (6 semitones)
• String 3 (E3) to String 2 (A#4) - Augmented Fourth (6 semitones)
• String 2 (A#4) to String 1 (E4) - Diminished Fifth (6 semitones)

The tuning spans three octaves, from E1 to E4, creating a wide harmonic range dominated by the tension and dissonance inherent in the tritone.

Chords and Playability

Due to the pervasive tritone intervals, this tuning is not conducive to playing conventional major or minor chords with open strings. A full open strum will produce a highly dissonant, cluster-like sound of E and A# (Bɦ) notes across multiple octaves. This makes it ideal for:

• Experimental and Avant-Garde Music: Perfect for creating unique sonic textures, industrial soundscapes, or atonal compositions.
• Heavy Genres: Its inherent dissonance can be utilized in certain subgenres of metal, such as djent, progressive metal, or death metal, for crushing, unsettling riffs and atmospheric passages.
• Symmetrical Voicings: The repeating E-A# pattern allows for interesting symmetrical chord shapes and melodic patterns that can be easily transposed up or down the neck across different string sets.

Accessing traditional triads or power chords will require more deliberate fretting, likely involving skipping strings or using wider stretches to find perfect fourths, fifths, or octaves.

How to Tune

To achieve this "7-string tritones in E1 fixed" tuning, you will need to adjust your strings as follows. Please note that several strings require significant downward movement, and a heavier gauge set is highly recommended for optimal tension and tone, especially for strings with movements exceeding 4 semitones.

• String 7: Tune down 7 semitones (from a standard 7-string B1) to E1. This is a very significant drop; a much thicker string gauge is essential to maintain proper tension and intonation.
• String 6: Tune down 6 semitones (from a standard E2) to A#2 (Bɦ2). Another substantial drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 5: Tune down 5 semitones (from a standard A2) to E2. This is a considerable drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 4: Tune down 4 semitones (from a standard D3) to A#3 (Bɦ3). This is at the limit for a standard gauge string; consider a heavier gauge to avoid floppiness and intonation issues.
• String 3: Tune down 3 semitones (from a standard G3) to E3. This is a moderate drop and generally manageable with a standard gauge.
• String 2: Tune down 1 semitone (from a standard B4) to A#4 (Bɦ4). This is a minor adjustment and should be fine with a standard gauge.
• String 1: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Remains E4.