The "F7sus4 (7 string)" tuning transforms your 7-string guitar into a powerhouse of rich, resonant suspended harmony. As described, "This is the seven-string variation of my F7sus4 tuning." It's designed to immediately present an F7sus4 chord when strummed open, making it ideal for styles that benefit from a deep, sustained, and harmonically ambiguous feel, such as modern metal, jazz fusion, or experimental rock.

Technical Analysis

The open strings are tuned to F1, A#2, F2, C3, F3, A#4, D#5 (which can also be notated as F1, Bb2, F2, C3, F3, Bb4, Eb5). This arrangement clearly spells out a full F7sus4 chord across the open strings, specifically Root (F1), Suspended 4th (Bb2), Root (F2), 5th (C3), Root (F3), Suspended 4th (Bb4), and minor 7th (Eb5). The overall voicing is rich and dense. The intervals between the strings (from lowest to highest) are: Perfect 4th (F1 to Bb2), Perfect 5th (Bb2 to F2, a descending Perfect 4th or ascending Perfect 5th in relation to the F1), Perfect 5th (F2 to C3), Perfect 4th (C3 to F3), Perfect 4th (F3 to Bb4), and Major 3rd (Bb4 to Eb5). This consistent intervallic structure, particularly the prevalence of perfect fourths, makes barre chords highly effective. The repeated F and Bb notes create a powerful, droning quality that gives the tuning its characteristic depth and harmonic foundation.

Chords and Playability

Strumming all open strings immediately yields a powerful F7sus4 chord. Due to the parallel nature of several intervals, movable shapes for other sus4 and 7sus4 chords are readily available by simply barring across frets. For instance, barring all strings at the 1st fret would create an F#7sus4, and at the 2nd fret, a G7sus4. The overall feel is dark, atmospheric, and highly resonant, providing a unique harmonic landscape for compositions. The original description suggests an option to further tune down the B string (String 7) to D#/Eb, which, while not implemented in this specific tuning, would deepen the low end even more, creating possibilities for extremely heavy or dissonant drone textures.

How to Tune

To achieve this "F7sus4 (7 string)" tuning from standard 7-string (B-E-A-D-G-B-E), follow these precise steps:

• String 7 (Low B): Tune down 6 semitones to F1. (Note: Tuning down 6 semitones is a significant drop. For optimal tension, intonation, and to prevent string floppiness or breakage, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.)
• String 6 (E): Tune down 6 semitones to A#2 (Bb2). (Note: Tuning down 6 semitones is a significant drop. For optimal tension, intonation, and to prevent string floppiness or breakage, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.)
• String 5 (A): Tune down 4 semitones to F2. (Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant drop. For optimal tension, intonation, and to prevent string floppiness or breakage, a heavier gauge string is strongly advised.)
• String 4 (D): Tune down 2 semitones to C3.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 2 semitones to F3.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 1 semitone to A#4 (Bb4).
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 1 semitone to D#5 (Eb5).

General advice: For string movements exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down), a different string gauge is generally advised to maintain proper string tension and intonation, and to prevent string breakage or excessive looseness.

String 7: F1 (Low F)

String 6: A#2 (Bb2)

String 5: F2

String 4: C3

String 3: F3

String 2: A#4 (Bb4)

String 1: D#5 (Eb5)