The "Deep Extension" tuning transforms your guitar into a formidable instrument capable of spanning an incredibly wide range, venturing into bass territories while maintaining a unique harmonic character. As its name suggests, this tuning significantly extends the lower register of the guitar, allowing for deep, resonant bass lines and expansive chord voicings.

Technical Analysis

This tuning is primarily built on perfect fifths, offering a systematic and powerful interval structure across most strings. The open notes are E1-B1-G2-D3-A3-E4. Let's break down the intervals between the open strings:

• String 6 (E1) to String 5 (B1): A Perfect Fifth (7 semitones).
• String 5 (B1) to String 4 (G2): A Minor Sixth (8 semitones). This is the primary departure from a strict all-fifths tuning, creating a unique harmonic twist.
• String 4 (G2) to String 3 (D3): A Perfect Fifth (7 semitones).
• String 3 (D3) to String 2 (A3): A Perfect Fifth (7 semitones).
• String 2 (A3) to String 1 (E4): A Perfect Fifth (7 semitones).

This structure, dominated by perfect fifths, makes power chords incredibly resonant and easy to execute across the strings. The lone minor sixth interval on the middle strings offers interesting melodic and harmonic possibilities, allowing for richer voicings than a pure fifths tuning might. The lowest E1 string is a full octave below standard low E, providing a substantial low-end extension, effectively turning your guitar into a bass-guitar hybrid, perfect for playing bass lines alongside guitar parts.

Open Chords and Possibilities

While the open strings E1-B1-G2-D3-A3-E4 do not immediately form a common major or minor chord, the intervals present allow for quick formation of various voicings:

• Power Chords: The abundance of perfect fifths means that playing power chords (root-fifth or root-fifth-octave) is intuitive and powerful. Moving a single finger across multiple strings will often yield a strong, resonant power chord.
• E Minor Voicings: The lowest three strings (E1-B1-G2) contain the notes E, B, and G, which are the root, fifth, and minor third of an E minor chord. With minimal fretting on the higher strings, you can easily create rich E minor chord voicings or imply an E minor tonality.
• Bass Lines: The extended low range (down to E1) makes this tuning excellent for playing walking bass lines or incorporating very deep rhythmic foundations into your playing, giving your guitar a unique dual role.
• Chord Melody: The systematic interval structure can simplify chord melody arrangements, as consistent shapes will often yield predictable harmonic results across the fifths.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Deep Extension" tuning, you will need to significantly adjust most of your strings downwards from standard E-A-D-G-B-e tuning. Due to the extreme changes, especially on the lower strings, it is highly recommended to use heavier gauge strings to maintain proper tension and intonation, and to prevent string breakage or neck damage.

• String 6 (Low E string, typically E2): Tune down 12 semitones to E1. This is a significant drop of a full octave. A much heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 5 (A string, typically A2): Tune down 10 semitones to B1. This is a considerable drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 4 (D string, typically D3): Tune down 7 semitones to G2. This is a substantial drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 3 (G string, typically G3): Tune down 5 semitones to D3. This is a notable drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 2 (B string, typically B3): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• String 1 (High e string, typically E4): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones), remaining at E4.

Exercise caution when adjusting string tension. Always use a reliable tuner and make gradual adjustments to avoid over-tightening or sudden slack, especially given the considerable changes involved. Ensure your guitar's neck relief is checked after such a drastic tuning change.

String 6 (Lowest String): E1 (an octave below standard Low E)

String 5: B1

String 4: G2

String 3: D3

String 2: A3

String 1 (Highest String): E4 (standard High E)