E1 Standard C Tuning Analysis

The E1 Standard C tuning is an exceptionally low and heavy 8-string guitar setup, as highlighted by its descriptive note: "for when the 8th string just won't last on a D". This indicates a deliberate choice to achieve extreme low-end tension and massive tonal depth, pushing the boundaries of extended-range guitars.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning conjures an immense, guttural sonic landscape, perfectly suited for genres demanding a colossal low-end presence like extreme metal, djent, or experimental ambient music. The deep E1 string provides an earth-shattering foundation, creating a feeling of overwhelming power and weight. It's a tuning that prioritizes raw impact and textural density over conventional melodicism. The unique string intervals, especially the non-monotonic pitch progression, suggest a sound designed for complex, possibly dissonant harmonies, or for generating specific, often unsettling, drone-like effects. Players will find it encourages exploration of single-note riffs, thick power chords, and open-string voicings that exploit its distinct harmonic potential.

Technical Analysis

• Overall Range: This tuning boasts an incredibly broad range, starting from a profound E1. This is a full octave below the lowest string of a standard 6-string guitar, demanding a guitar specifically designed for 8-strings and extremely heavy gauge strings to maintain proper tension and intonation.
• String Intervals (from thickest to thinnest):
  • String 8 (E1) to String 7 (G1): Minor Third (3 semitones)
  • String 7 (G1) to String 6 (C2): Perfect Fourth (5 semitones)
  • String 6 (C2) to String 5 (F2): Perfect Fourth (5 semitones)
  • String 5 (F2) to String 4 (A#3/Bb3): Augmented Fourth / Tritone (6 semitones). This distinctive interval introduces significant tension and dissonance, a hallmark of aggressive or experimental sounds.
  • String 4 (A#3/Bb3) to String 3 (D#4/Eb4): Perfect Fourth (5 semitones)
  • String 3 (D#4/Eb4) to String 2 (G3): Descending Minor Sixth. This is a highly unconventional and striking feature of this tuning. String 2 (G3) is actually pitched lower than String 3 (D#4/Eb4). This means that standard ascending scale patterns or traditional chord shapes will be completely recontextualized, opening up unique fingerings and harmonic possibilities that defy conventional guitar logic. It demands a specialized approach to playing and may require careful consideration of string gauges to avoid string 2 being excessively loose compared to string 3.
  • String 2 (G3) to String 1 (C4): Perfect Fourth (5 semitones)
• Open Chords and Harmonic Potential: Due to the extreme low register, the tritone interval, and particularly the inverted pitch order between strings 3 and 2, traditional open chords are not easily formed or practical. However, the tuning offers:
  • A very deep C major triad (C, E, G) can be hinted at with C2 (String 6), G1 (String 7), and E1 (String 8).
  • Perfect fourth relationships are prominent across several string pairs (G1-C2, C2-F2, A#3-D#4, G3-C4), facilitating the creation of powerful two-note chords and sustained drones.
  • The tuning is more conducive to exploring single-note heavy riffs, power chords (especially those spanning two adjacent strings), and ambient textures that exploit the unique intervals and the deep resonance of the open strings.

How to Tune

To achieve the E1 Standard C tuning, carefully adjust each string according to the following instructions. Always use a reliable tuner, and be mindful of string tension when making significant pitch changes.

• String 8: Tune down 2 semitones to E1.
• String 7: Tune down 4 semitones to G1.
• String 6: Tune down 4 semitones to C2.
• String 5: Tune down 4 semitones to F2.
• String 4: Tune down 4 semitones to A3#.
• String 3: Tune down 4 semitones to D4#.
• String 2: Tune down 4 semitones to G3.
• String 1: Tune down 4 semitones to C4.

Given the extreme low pitches, especially E1, using appropriate heavy gauge strings is highly recommended for optimal tension, tone, and to prevent string breakage or intonation issues.