The Hacktivist Drop E tuning for 8-string guitar, as its name suggests, is a powerful and low-end focused setup popularized by the band Hacktivist. It builds upon the already formidable foundation of an 8-string Drop E but introduces unique modifications on the higher strings, creating a distinctive sonic palette.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning is designed for maximum sonic impact, perfect for genres like djent, metalcore, and progressive metal where crushing low-end riffs and intricate, yet heavy, chord voicings are paramount. The core Drop E element provides immense depth, making it ideal for percussive, palm-muted rhythms and thunderous breakdowns. What sets Hacktivist Drop E apart is the upward tuning of two of the higher strings, which, while requiring a slight re-learning for players accustomed to standard Drop E, opens up fascinating new harmonic possibilities. This adjustment ensures that while the low end remains guttural, the higher register can still cut through with unique melodic and harmonic textures, offering a balance of brutal aggression and articulate expression. It's a tuning that empowers the player to create complex harmonies and dissonances while maintaining a devastatingly heavy core.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for this 8-string tuning are E1 B1 E2 A2 E3 A3 B3 E4 (from lowest to highest string). This configuration retains the signature 'Drop' characteristic on the lowest string, providing a fundamental E-note base. As described in the original tuning's description, it is like a regular 8-string Drop E, but the higher D and G strings are tuned up a whole step. Compared to a standard 8-string Drop E (E1 B1 E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4), the key alterations are:

• String 4 (E3): Tuned up a whole step from D3.
• String 3 (A3): Tuned up a whole step from G3.

This results in the following intervals between adjacent strings, from lowest (8th) to highest (1st):

• String 8 (E1) to String 7 (B1): Perfect 5th (P5)
• String 7 (B1) to String 6 (E2): Perfect 4th (P4)
• String 6 (E2) to String 5 (A2): Perfect 4th (P4)
• String 5 (A2) to String 4 (E3): Perfect 5th (P5)
• String 4 (E3) to String 3 (A3): Perfect 4th (P4)
• String 3 (A3) to String 2 (B3): Major 2nd (M2) / Whole Step
• String 2 (B3) to String 1 (E4): Perfect 4th (P4)

The prevalence of Perfect 4th and 5th intervals across most of the lower and middle strings makes power chords highly accessible and resonant; simply barring across these strings will yield powerful, full-bodied chords rooted in E or A. For instance, barring strings 8, 6, and 4 (E1, E2, E3) will produce a thick E octave chord. The open strings themselves form a rich extended E minor chord voicing (E-B-E-A-E-A-B-E contains the notes E, B, A, making it an Em7(add4) or E sus4(add9) depending on harmonic context), offering a naturally full and harmonically dense sound. The unique Major 2nd interval between the 3rd and 2nd strings (A3 to B3) is a defining characteristic, potentially inspiring unconventional voicings, scale runs, and open dissonances that deviate from standard patterns, providing a fresh canvas for creativity in heavy music.

How to Tune to Hacktivist Drop E

To achieve the Hacktivist Drop E tuning (E1 B1 E2 A2 E3 A3 B3 E4), adjust your 8-string guitar strings according to the instructions below. Please be mindful when tuning strings significantly up or down; for movements exceeding 4 semitones in either direction, considering a different string gauge is often advised to maintain optimal string tension and prevent potential damage to your instrument or strings.

• String 8 (lowest string) - Target Note: E1: Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 7 - Target Note: B1: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 6 - Target Note: E2: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 5 - Target Note: A2: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 4 - Target Note: E3: Tune up 2 semitones.
• String 3 - Target Note: A3: Tune up 2 semitones.
• String 2 - Target Note: B3: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 1 (highest string) - Target Note: E4: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).