Verbal Analysis: The Foundation of Riffing Power

The Double E Standard tuning for a 7-string guitar is a formidable setup, explicitly noted as "Good for quick palm muted rhythms." This verbal description immediately conjures images of heavy, driving guitar parts, perfectly suited for genres like metal, djent, and progressive rock. The core of this tuning is its reinforcement of the lowest E note, giving an immense, almost seismic, foundation to your sound. It feels like taking a standard E-tuned guitar and amplifying its low-end presence with an additional, matching octave string. This creates a dense sonic wall, perfect for chugging, percussive riffs that demand a deep, unwavering bass note.

The presence of two low E strings in quick succession provides unique creative opportunities, from massive unison power chords that rumble through the speakers, to octave riffing that can add incredible depth and texture without shifting positions too much. It's a tuning that encourages aggressive, articulate playing, where the clarity of each note, even amidst heavy distortion, remains paramount. For players who love to write powerful, rhythmic passages, this tuning offers a robust and inspiring canvas.

Technical Analysis: A Standard Foundation with a Double Down Low

This is a 7-string Guitar tuning. The notes, from lowest to highest, are E2, E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4. This setup is essentially a standard 6-string E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) with an additional low E string. The key technical characteristic is the doubled E string at the very bottom, forming a unison E2-E2 pair. This reinforces the root of E, providing an incredibly thick and resonant low end.

• String 7 (E2) to String 6 (E2): Unison (0 semitones). This is the defining feature, offering a massive sonic weight to the low E.
• String 6 (E2) to String 5 (A2): Perfect Fourth (5 semitones).
• String 5 (A2) to String 4 (D3): Perfect Fourth (5 semitones).
• String 4 (D3) to String 3 (G3): Perfect Fourth (5 semitones).
• String 3 (G3) to String 2 (B3): Major Third (4 semitones).
• String 2 (B3) to String 1 (E4): Perfect Fourth (5 semitones).

The intervals between the top six strings (E-A-D-G-B-E) are identical to standard tuning, meaning all familiar chord shapes, scales, and arpeggios are directly transferable. The addition of the unison E2 string simply extends and fortifies the bass register, making low E power chords incredibly potent.

Open Chords and Playability

• Power Chords (E5, A5, D5, etc.): This tuning excels at power chords, particularly E5. The two lowest E strings create a gigantic, resonant E power chord when played open or fretted in unison. The standard fourths (E-A-D-G-B-E section) allow for easy two-finger power chords across the lower strings (e.g., fretting A on the 6th string and E on the 5th string for an A5).
• Open E Minor/Major: With the standard E-A-D-G-B-E structure on the upper six strings, all standard open E, Em, A, Am, D, Dm, G, C, B7, etc., chord shapes are readily available and sound correct. The extra low E (String 7) can be incorporated into these chords for added depth, effectively giving you an E major/minor chord with an almost piano-like low end.
• Riffing: The unison low E strings are perfect for heavy, palm-muted riffs, allowing for a thicker sound than a single low E string could provide. It also opens up possibilities for playing octave patterns very easily on the two lowest strings.
• Accessibility: For guitarists familiar with standard E tuning, this tuning offers a very comfortable transition for the upper six strings, with the added benefit of extended low-end power without having to learn drastically new fingerings for core riffs and chords.

How to Tune to Double E Standard

To achieve the Double E Standard tuning for your 7-string Guitar, carefully adjust each string according to the following instructions. The standard 7-string tuning (B-E-A-D-G-B-E) is assumed as a starting point for the lowest string movement:

• String 7 (lowest string): Tune up 5 semitones. If starting from a standard B1, this will bring your string to E2. Caution: Tuning up 5 semitones is a significant change in tension. It is strongly recommended to consider using a lighter gauge string to prevent excessive stress on your guitar and potential string breakage.
• String 6: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E2.
• String 5: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
• String 4: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• String 3: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to G3.
• String 2: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
• String 1 (highest string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

As a general guideline, if any string requires tuning up or down more than 4 semitones from its standard pitch, it is advisable to use a different gauge string. This helps maintain optimal string tension, intonation, and prevents undue stress on your instrument's neck and bridge, reducing the risk of string breakage.

String 7 (lowest): E2

String 6: E2

String 5: A2

String 4: D3

String 3: G3

String 2: B3

String 1 (highest): E4