The "10 String Double Drop E" is an exceptionally low and heavy tuning designed for extended range guitars. As its name suggests, it pushes the boundaries of low-end sonic exploration, setting the lowest string to an earth-shaking E0. This tuning is not for the faint of heart, or standard gauge strings, as it requires significant down-tuning across almost all strings.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for this 10-string setup are: E0, B0, E1, A1, D2, G2, C3, F3, A3 (from lowest to highest string). This configuration features a profound drop-tuning scheme. The lowest three strings (E0, B0, E1) form a massive E power chord (Root-Fifth-Root), providing an incredibly solid and resonant foundation for heavy riffs and chugging. The subsequent string intervals from B0 up to F3 are predominantly perfect fourths (B0-E1, E1-A1, A1-D2, D2-G2, G2-C3, C3-F3), which promotes excellent fretboard consistency for scales, arpeggios, and lead playing. The highest two strings, F3 and A3, form a major third, replicating the top two string interval of a standard guitar tuning, which can make familiar higher-register voicings feel more natural.

While not an open chord in the traditional sense across all ten strings, the tuning is meticulously crafted to facilitate powerful chordal structures and melodic lines. The open E0, B0, E1 forms an undeniable E power chord. Due to the consistent fourths, power chords and extended voicings become highly intuitive to fret, particularly for genres like djent, progressive metal, and extreme metal where deep, articulate low-end is paramount. The parallel fourths make playing heavy, palm-muted riffs exceptionally fluid.

How to Tune

Given the significant down-tuning required for this setup, it is highly recommended to use a significantly heavier gauge string set than standard. Tuning any string down more than 4 semitones (or up more than 3-4 semitones) typically necessitates a change in string gauge to maintain proper tension and intonation. All strings in this tuning require substantial down-tuning, ranging from 6 to 9 semitones down.

• 9th String (Lowest): Tune to E0 by tuning down 9 semitones.
• 8th String: Tune to B0 by tuning down 7 semitones.
• 7th String: Tune to E1 by tuning down 7 semitones.
• 6th String: Tune to A1 by tuning down 7 semitones.
• 5th String: Tune to D2 by tuning down 7 semitones.
• 4th String: Tune to G2 by tuning down 7 semitones.
• 3rd String: Tune to C3 by tuning down 7 semitones.
• 2nd String: Tune to F3 by tuning down 6 semitones.
• 1st String (Highest): Tune to A3 by tuning down 7 semitones.

String 9 (Lowest): E0

String 8: B0

String 7: E1

String 6: A1

String 5: D2

String 4: G2

String 3: C3

String 2: F3

String 1 (Highest): A3