This is a highly specialized 7-string Lap Steel Guitar tuning, aptly named "7 String G13". It's designed to provide rich, complex harmonic voicings, particularly focusing on G13 chord structures across the open strings. The inherent design facilitates easy access to jazzy and bluesy harmonies, characteristic of lap steel playing.

Technical Analysis

The open tuning notes are E2-G2-B2-G3-B3-D4-F4, from the lowest to the highest string. This configuration creates an Open G13 chord when all open strings are strummed, with the E2 acting as the 13th (or 6th) of G. The tuning cleverly stacks two distinct chord types:

• The lowest six strings (E2, G2, B2, G3, B3, D4) collectively form an Em7 chord (E-G-B-D), providing a minor tonality foundation.
• The top six strings (G2, B2, G3, B3, D4, F4) form a clear G7 chord (G-B-D-F), establishing the dominant character of the tuning.

The repetition of notes like G (G2, G3) and B (B2, B3) across different octaves adds significant depth and fullness to the overall sound. This open G13 structure makes it incredibly easy to create various G-based extended chords and allows for seamless sliding into full voicings across the fretboard with a bar. Chords like G7, Em7, and their inversions are immediately accessible. Furthermore, the inherent intervals suggest that other chords such as Dm7, Bm7(b5) (B half-diminished), or even suspended chords could be within easy reach with minimal manipulation.

How to Tune

To achieve the "7 String G13" tuning, adjust your 7-string guitar strings as described below. Please exercise caution with significant pitch changes, as strings tuned excessively up or down may require a different gauge to maintain optimal tension and prevent breakage.

• String 7 (Lowest String): Tune up 5 semitones to E2. (Warning: Tuning up 5 semitones is a substantial change; consider using a lighter gauge string to avoid excessive tension.)
• String 6: Tune up 3 semitones to G2.
• String 5: Tune up 2 semitones to B2.
• String 4: Tune up 5 semitones to G3. (Warning: Tuning up 5 semitones is a substantial change; consider using a lighter gauge string to avoid excessive tension.)
• String 3: Tune up 4 semitones to B3. (Warning: Tuning up 4 semitones is a significant change; consider using a lighter gauge string.)
• String 2: Tune up 3 semitones to D4.
• String 1 (Highest String): Tune up 1 semitone to F4.