Tuning Analysis: 8 String Bass Drop E

Verbal Description

This is a truly monumental and deeply resonant tuning for an 8-string electric bass, aptly named "8 string bass drop E". It plunges the instrument into truly subterranean frequencies, designed for earth-shattering lows and an incredibly dense sonic foundation. With its lowest string hitting E0 at a fundamental frequency of around 20Hz, this tuning pushes the boundaries of what's acoustically possible for a bass guitar. It's perfectly suited for genres like doom metal, djent, experimental, or ambient soundscapes where immense weight and sonic impact are paramount. The "drop E" aspect is dramatically extended across most of the strings, making for a uniquely dark and powerful sonic landscape.

The open strings offer a massive tonal range. When strummed open, they inherently form a rich and complex E minor 9 chord, creating a surprisingly musical foundation despite its extreme depth. The lowest three strings (E0, B0, E1) powerfully outline an E power chord, providing an immediate and strong root presence. Due to the extreme low range, chording higher up the neck will primarily involve powerful root-5th-octave voicings, or unique spread voicings that take advantage of the vast string spacing.

Technical Analysis

This 8-string electric bass tuning is set to: E0, B0, E1, A1, D2, G2, B2, E3.

• The lowest string, E0, is an exceptionally deep note, marking the lowest practical frequency on many sound systems.
• The intervals between the open strings are as follows:
  • E0 to B0: Perfect 5th
  • B0 to E1: Perfect 4th
  • E1 to A1: Perfect 4th
  • A1 to D2: Perfect 4th
  • D2 to G2: Perfect 4th
  • G2 to B2: Major 3rd
  • B2 to E3: Perfect 4th
• This configuration, particularly the E0-B0-E1 segment, establishes a strong root-5th-octave relationship for an E power chord at the extreme low end.
• The overall tuning (E0, B0, E1, A1, D2, G2, B2, E3) reveals an E minor 9 chord (Root, 5th, Octave, 11th/4th, b7th, b3rd, 5th, Octave), providing a rich harmonic overtone series for open string playing.
• Such a low tuning requires extremely heavy gauge strings to maintain proper tension and intonation, as indicated by the description's emphasis on "E0 20HZ".

Open String Notes

The open notes for this 8-string electric bass tuning are as follows (from lowest to highest string):

• String 8 (Lowest): E0
• String 7: B0
• String 6: E1
• String 5: A1
• String 4: D2
• String 3: G2
• String 2: B2
• String 1 (Highest): E3

How to Tune

This tuning involves significant drops in pitch for almost all strings. It is strongly recommended to use a set of extra-heavy gauge strings specifically designed for extreme low tunings, or even a custom gauge set. Tuning up or down more than 4 semitones can put excessive stress on standard gauge strings, potentially leading to breakage or intonation issues. Please proceed with caution and verify your string gauge suitability before attempting this tuning.

• String 8: From its standard tuning, you will Tune down 9 semitones to reach E0.
• String 7: From its standard tuning, you will Tune down 12 semitones (a full octave) to reach B0.
• String 6: From its standard tuning, you will Tune down 12 semitones (a full octave) to reach E1.
• String 5: From its standard tuning, you will Tune down 12 semitones (a full octave) to reach A1.
• String 4: From its standard tuning, you will Tune down 12 semitones (a full octave) to reach D2.
• String 3: From its standard tuning, you will Tune down 12 semitones (a full octave) to reach G2.
• String 2: From its standard tuning, you will Tune down 12 semitones (a full octave) to reach B2.
• String 1: From its standard tuning, you will Tune down 12 semitones (a full octave) to reach E3.