This tuning, aptly named "10 String Double Drop F," is designed for a 10-string guitar, plunging the instrument into an extremely low sonic register. As described, it's a Double Drop F (Drop F0) tuning, emphasizing a fundamental F note at the very bottom of the guitar's range. This setup is perfectly suited for genres demanding immense depth and weight, such as extreme metal, djent, drone, or experimental soundscapes, where earth-shattering low frequencies are paramount.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes, from the lowest (String 9) to the highest (String 1), are: F0, C1, F1, A#2, D#3, G#3, C#4, F#4, A#4. This provides an incredibly vast range, extending down into the sub-bass frequencies.

• Lowest Strings (F0, C1, F1): The lowest three strings immediately establish a powerful F power chord (F-C-F) across nearly three octaves. This foundation is immensely resonant and provides a massive anchor for any composition. The F0 is the lowest note on a standard 88-key piano, making this guitar capable of producing sounds at the extreme lower limit of human hearing.
• Mid-Range Strings (A#2, D#3, G#3, C#4): Following the initial F chord, strings 6 through 3 are tuned in perfect fourths (A#2 to D#3, D#3 to G#3, G#3 to C#4). This is a common and highly functional interval pattern for guitarists, allowing for easy fretboard navigation and the quick formation of power chords and extended voicings.
• Highest Strings (F#4, A#4): The highest two strings introduce F#4 and A#4, completing a pattern that leans into rich, darker harmonies. The interval from String 3 (C#4) to String 2 (F#4) is a perfect fourth, maintaining the power chord friendly pattern. The final interval from String 2 (F#4) to String 1 (A#4) is a major third, adding a touch of brightness or tension at the top.

Due to the open F-C-F chord on the lowest strings, thick, resonant power chords are immediately available by simply strumming these strings. The perfect fourths on the middle strings make moving two-finger power chords (root-fifth) effortless across these strings, enabling complex, chugging riffs and extended voicings with relative ease. The overall chromatic layout across the string set (though not strictly symmetrical) allows for diverse harmonic exploration while retaining a heavy, low-end focus. The presence of F, C, F, and then A#, D#, G#, C#, F#, A# suggests potential for A# minor or F# minor related harmonies, or simply massive, dissonant chords that exploit the instrument's extended range.

How to Tune

Achieving this tuning requires significant adjustments to a standard 10-string setup. Please observe string gauge recommendations carefully for optimal performance and to prevent string damage.

• String 9: Tune to F0. This requires tuning down 8 semitones. Caution: tuning down 8 semitones is a significant adjustment; a different string gauge is strongly advisable for optimal performance and string integrity.
• String 8: Tune to C1. This requires tuning down 6 semitones. Caution: tuning down 6 semitones is a significant adjustment; a different string gauge may be advisable.
• String 7: Tune to F1. This requires tuning down 6 semitones. Caution: tuning down 6 semitones is a significant adjustment; a different string gauge may be advisable.
• String 6: Tune to A#2. This requires tuning down 6 semitones. Caution: tuning down 6 semitones is a significant adjustment; a different string gauge may be advisable.
• String 5: Tune to D#3. This requires tuning down 6 semitones. Caution: tuning down 6 semitones is a significant adjustment; a different string gauge may be advisable.
• String 4: Tune to G#3. This requires tuning down 6 semitones. Caution: tuning down 6 semitones is a significant adjustment; a different string gauge may be advisable.
• String 3: Tune to C#4. This requires tuning down 6 semitones. Caution: tuning down 6 semitones is a significant adjustment; a different string gauge may be advisable.
• String 2: Tune to F#4. This requires tuning down 5 semitones. Caution: tuning down 5 semitones is a significant adjustment; a different string gauge may be advisable.
• String 1: Tune to A#4. This requires tuning down 6 semitones. Caution: tuning down 6 semitones is a significant adjustment; a different string gauge may be advisable.