Tuning Overview: EEDAF#F#

This unique guitar tuning, aptly named EEDAF#F#, is designed to deliver a distinctive sonic palette. As described by its creator, it features a "sludgy, droning low-end and bright, chiming high end." This combination makes it exceptionally versatile for genres demanding texture and atmosphere, such as psychedelic drones, noise-metal screeds, and raw punk rock power chords.

Verbal Analysis:

The most striking feature of EEDAF#F# is the unison pairing of its lowest two strings (E2-E2) and its highest two strings (F#5-F#5). This creates a powerful, resonant fundamental at the low end that can generate thick, unyielding drones, perfect for the "sludgy" and "noise-metal" aesthetics. The double E provides immense weight and sustain, making it ideal for heavy, sustained riffs. Conversely, the high, chiming F#5-F#5 unison offers a brilliant, cutting top end that can soar above the low-end density, adding shimmer, melodic clarity, or piercing aggression.

The middle strings, D3 and A3, fill out the sonic space between these two resonant poles. The interval between the lowest E (E2) and D3 is a minor seventh, which hints at a bluesy or darker, modal sound. The D3 to A3 is a perfect fifth, a very strong, consonant interval that adds harmonic stability. This tuning actively encourages a drone-centric approach, where the open strings themselves form the foundational bed of the sound, allowing for sparse melodic or rhythmic interplay over them. The overall sonic character leans towards an E minor or E Dorian feel, particularly when exploring the interplay between E, D, and F#.

Technical Analysis:

The open strings of EEDAF#F# are configured as follows, from the lowest (6th) to the highest (1st) string:

• 6th String: E2
• 5th String: E2
• 4th String: D3
• 3rd String: A3
• 2nd String: F#5
• 1st String: F#5

Key technical observations include:

• Unison Low E (E2-E2): The 6th and 5th strings are identically tuned to E2, providing a massive, thick low-end fundamental and enhanced sustain.
• Minor Seventh Interval (E2-D3): The jump from the 5th string (E2) to the 4th string (D3) is a minor seventh, a crucial interval for blues, rock, and modal voicings.
• Perfect Fifth (D3-A3): The 4th string (D3) and 3rd string (A3) form a perfect fifth, a stable and resonant interval, providing a solid harmonic anchor.
• Compound Major Sixth (A3-F#5): The interval from the 3rd string (A3) to the 2nd string (F#5) is a compound major sixth (a major sixth plus an octave), creating a bright, open sound across octaves.
• Unison High F# (F#5-F#5): The 2nd and 1st strings are both tuned to F#5, creating a bright, harmonically rich and highly resonant high end.

This tuning is exceptionally conducive to drone-based playing and simplified chord voicings. The open strings themselves do not form a conventional major or minor triad, but rather suggest a rich harmonic texture. However, the architecture makes it very easy to construct various E-centric power chords and open string voicings:

• E5 Power Chords: By simply strumming the lowest two E2 strings, you immediately achieve a rich, thick E unison. Adding the D3 on the 4th string creates a powerful E-D interval, allowing for E minor or E sus4 voicings. By fretting the 3rd string (A3) at the 2nd fret for B, and the 4th string (D3) at the 2nd fret for E, you can easily form a solid open E5 power chord (E-B-E).
• Droning Textures: The combination of E2, E2, D3, A3 open strings provides a massive harmonic bed. The high F#5-F#5 can be used as a melodic or harmonic counterpoint, adding brightness, tension, or a shimmering top layer to the drone.
• Aggressive Leads: The high F# unison is excellent for expressive melodic leads, bends, and pinch harmonics, providing a consistent tonal center for upper-register improvisation, especially over the E and A fundamental. The distinct intervals encourage creative scale choices over the static drone.

The distinct intervals and the double unisons at both ends provide a stable framework for experimental, heavy, and atmospheric playing styles, making it a powerful tool for a diverse range of musical expressions.

Tuning Notes Breakdown

Here are the specific target notes for each string in the EEDAF#F# tuning, from the lowest (6th) to the highest (1st) string:

• 6th String (Low E): E2
• 5th String (A String): E2
• 4th String (D String): D3
• 3rd String (G String): A3
• 2nd String (B String): F#5
• 1st String (High E): F#5

How to Tune: Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these instructions carefully to tune your guitar to EEDAF#F#, based on a standard EADGBe tuning reference. Pay close attention to the recommended string gauge adjustments for optimal playability, intonation, and to prevent string breakage, especially for significant semitone changes.

• 6th String (Low E to E2): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). No string gauge change is typically advised for this string.
• 5th String (A to E2): Tune down 5 semitones from standard A. This is a significant drop. Due to the target being E2, which is an octave lower than the typical E3 result of a -5 semitone change from A3, a heavier gauge string for the 5th string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension, intonation, and tone.
• 4th String (D to D3): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). No string gauge change is typically advised for this string.
• 3rd String (G to A3): Tune up 2 semitones from standard G. No string gauge change is typically advised for this string.
• 2nd String (B to F#5): Tune up 7 semitones from standard B. This is a very significant increase in tension. Due to the target being F#5, which is an octave higher than the typical F#4 result of a +7 semitone change from B3, a lighter gauge string for the 2nd string is strongly advised to prevent breakage and ensure playability and intonation.
• 1st String (High E to F#5): Tune up 2 semitones from standard E. While the semitone change is relatively small, note the target F#5 is an octave higher than the typical F#4 result of a +2 semitone change from E4. Consider string tension carefully and ensure your guitar can safely handle the increased tension on this string without issues.