The Baritone Drop E - altered tuning, inspired by Buster Odeholm of Humanity's Last Breath, plunges your instrument into the extreme low-end, crafting a sonic landscape of immense weight and power. This tuning is explicitly designed for baritone guitars, leveraging their extended scale length to maintain tension and clarity at these profoundly low frequencies. It's a prime choice for genres demanding devastatingly heavy riffs, intricate low-register melodies, and a wall of sound that can shake the foundations.

Technical Analysis:

The open string notes for this tuning are E1 B1 E2 A2 D3 G3. This is an exceptionally low tuning, with the 6th string (E1) sitting two full octaves below the standard E2 of a guitar. The most striking feature is the formidable E power chord formed by the lowest three strings (E1, B1, E2). This fundamental low E provides a colossal anchor for heavy riffing, allowing for easy drop-style power chords across these strings. Fretting the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings at the same fret will consistently yield a root-5th-root power chord.

Beyond the foundational low end, the upper three strings (A2, D3, G3) are all tuned in perfect fourths. This predictable interval pattern, while different from standard tuning's B-G major third, can make adapting chord shapes and scales more intuitive for players accustomed to standard tuning's lower strings (D, G, B without the B). The consistent perfect fourths facilitate melodic runs and arpeggios with a logical fingerboard layout.

Open Chords & Shapes:

• Massive E Power Chord: Strings 6, 5, and 4 played open (E1, B1, E2) create an enormous, resonant E power chord. This is the bedrock of the tuning, offering immediate access to a deep, powerful sound.
• Movable Power Chords: By fretting strings 6, 5, and 4 at any single fret, you can easily create movable root-5th-root power chords (e.g., 1st fret: F1-C2-F2, 3rd fret: G1-D2-G2). This simplifies heavy riffing considerably, allowing for rapid chord changes.
• Upper String Voicings: While traditional open chords will be drastically altered, the A2-D3-G3 intervals on the upper strings allow for exploration of unique voicings. Familiar shapes from the DGB portion of standard tuning can be applied here, albeit producing different chord qualities due to the lower fundamental and shifted context. These strings lend themselves well to extended open voicings and suspended chords.

How to Tune:

Given the extreme nature of this tuning, a baritone guitar and a very heavy gauge string set are strongly advised to maintain optimal string tension, intonation, and playability. Proceed with extreme care when tuning, especially with such significant drops, to avoid string breakage or damage to your instrument. Tuning down by more than 4 semitones generally warrants a change to a heavier gauge string to maintain proper tension.

• 6th String (E1): Tune down 12 semitones (one full octave). This is a massive drop; a very heavy gauge string is essential to prevent floppiness.
• 5th String (B1): Tune down 10 semitones. This is a substantial drop; a heavy gauge string is highly recommended for optimal performance.
• 4th String (E2): Tune down 10 semitones. A heavier gauge string will greatly improve playability and tone at this low pitch.
• 3rd String (A2): Tune down 10 semitones. Consider a heavier gauge string for better tension and clarity.
• 2nd String (D3): Tune down 9 semitones. A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal feel and sound.
• 1st String (G3): Tune down 9 semitones. A heavier gauge string will help maintain good string tension and feel on the highest string.

String 6: E1
String 5: B1
String 4: E2
String 3: A2
String 2: D3
String 1: G3