Octave All Fourths F Tuning

This distinctive guitar tuning, named "Octave All Fourths F," is notably used in the song "Born in Dissonance" by Meshuggah. It is described as an "All Fourths F Standard" tuning dropped down by a full octave, creating a remarkably deep and resonant soundscape.

Verbal Analysis

The "Octave All Fourths F" tuning plunges the guitar into incredibly low registers, delivering a profoundly heavy and resonant sound. While the tuning description suggests an "All Fourths F Standard" dropped an octave, the specific notes provided create a unique hybrid structure. The resultant sonic landscape is dark, thick, and highly percussive, perfect for the complex, polyrhythmic metal style Meshuggah is known for. Players can expect a feel that emphasizes palm-muting, low-end riffs, and a general sense of immense power and weight. It's a tuning that demands a different approach to composition, favoring impact and groove over traditional melodicism, and certainly offers a distinct voice for extreme musical genres.

Technical Analysis

This tuning presents an aggressive and somewhat asymmetrical structure based on the target notes provided. The lowest string (6th) is tuned to an extremely low F1. Intriguingly, the interval from the 6th string (F1) to the 5th string (A#2) is a very wide minor tenth (18 semitones), creating a significant gap in register. Following this initial wide interval, the subsequent intervals between strings 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 are all consistent perfect fourths (A#2 to D#3, D#3 to G#3, G#3 to C#4, C#4 to F#4). This creates a hybrid structure: a very deep bass foundation followed by a consistent all-fourths pattern across the higher five strings.

While this tuning prevents easy open major or minor chords in the traditional sense, the consistent perfect fourth intervals on the higher strings facilitate highly symmetrical chord shapes and scales. This makes it ideal for experimental harmonies, power chords that are easily movable across the fretboard, and rapid riffing where consistency across strings is key. The exceptionally low F1 serves as a powerful pedal tone or a deep root for heavy, complex chords, contributing to a dense and often dissonant harmonic palette.

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe)

To achieve the tuning as described by the string movements, adjust each string from standard EADGBe as follows:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 11 semitones to F1.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 11 semitones to A#1.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 11 semitones to D#2.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 11 semitones to G#2.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 10 semitones to C#3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 10 semitones to F#3.

Important Note on String Gauge: Given that all strings are tuned down by 10 or 11 semitones (exceeding a drop of 4 semitones), using a much heavier gauge string set is highly recommended. This will help maintain proper string tension, intonation, and playability, preventing the strings from feeling too loose or floppy, and ensuring the guitar can handle these extreme low frequencies effectively.