The F# Sus4 Drone tuning plunges the guitar into a deeply resonant, almost subterranean soundscape. The lowest F string provides a growling, fundamental bass note that creates a sense of gravitas and tension. The F# Major chord formed by the middle strings (A#2, C#3, F#3) is presented in an inverted, darker voicing, while the doubled B notes on the highest strings introduce a strong, sustained 'sus4' quality.

This tuning is ideal for creating expansive, atmospheric textures, heavy ambient soundscapes, or exploring experimental folk and metal genres where a rich, dark drone is desired. The combination of low fundamentals and resonant suspensions makes it highly evocative and invites exploration of melodic lines over its unique harmonic base. It naturally lends itself to open string strumming, creating vast, sustained soundscapes.

Technical Analysis:

The open strings for this tuning are: F2 (6th string), A#2 (5th string), C#3 (4th string), F#3 (3rd string), B3 (2nd string), and B3 (1st string).

This arrangement features an F# Major triad (F#, A#, C#) across strings 3, 5, and 4 (F#3, A#2, C#3), with A#2 serving as the lowest note of this specific triad voicing. The 6th string, F2, functions as a powerful drone or a low pedal tone, a minor second below the F# root of the core chord, introducing a complex harmonic tension against the F#sus4 harmony.

The 2nd and 1st strings are tuned to a unison B3. This provides a prominent perfect 4th (or 11th) against the F# root, establishing the characteristic 'sus4' quality. The doubled B notes significantly enhance sustain and contribute to the tuning's drone-like character. Open-string playing naturally yields an F#sus4/F chord. Simple barre chords or single-finger fretting across the upper strings (5-1) will produce variations of suspended chords, with the low F string consistently providing a unique, deep foundation.

Open String Notes & How to Tune:

Here's a breakdown of each string's final note in this tuning, along with instructions on how to adjust from standard EADGBe tuning:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 1 semitone from standard E2 to F2.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 1 semitone from standard A2 to A#2.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone from standard D3 to C#3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone from standard G3 to F#3.
• 2nd String (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Remains B3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 5 semitones from standard E4 to B3. Please note: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change; for optimal tension and tone, especially if this is a permanent tuning, a heavier gauge string is advised for this string.