Verbal Analysis: All Fifths Downtuned

The 'All Fifths Downtuned' tuning is a truly unique and deeply resonant configuration for the guitar, pushing the instrument into a sonic territory far removed from standard EADGBe. As its name suggests, it embraces the pure harmonic interval of a perfect fifth between each string, creating an expansive and consistent soundscape. However, unlike traditional all-fifths tunings that might push into higher registers, this variant focuses on a significant downtuning across most strings, ensuring no string goes higher than standard E4. The result is a profoundly dark, heavy, and resonant sound, ideal for genres such as drone, doom metal, ambient, or experimental music where a vast, underlying foundation is desired. It lends itself wonderfully to textures and sustained chords, creating a wall of sound rather than bright melodies.

Technical Analysis: All Fifths Downtuned

This tuning sets the guitar's open strings to F1-C2-G2-D3-A3-E4, forming a consistent stack of perfect fifths from the lowest to the highest string. This configuration fundamentally re-imagines the fretboard, making standard chord shapes largely obsolete but opening up powerful new harmonic possibilities.

• Open String Harmony: The open strings themselves form a rich, complex sonority: F-C-G-D-A-E. This can be interpreted as a stacked quintal harmony, providing a deep, resonant drone rather than a conventional major or minor chord. It's a modal sound that serves as an excellent foundation for atmospheric playing.
• Power Chords / Quintal Voicings: The most immediate and intuitive benefit of this tuning is the effortless creation of power chords (root-fifth). By simply barring across any two or more adjacent strings at any fret, you instantly achieve a powerful, resonant quintal harmony. This makes heavy riffs and expansive chordal passages incredibly easy and consistent across the entire fretboard.
• Exploration of New Shapes: While traditional major and minor triads require entirely new fingerings, the consistent interval structure encourages exploration. Players will naturally discover unique voicings for familiar chord types and, more importantly, stumble upon entirely new, wide-interval harmonies that sound massive and full due to the low register.
• Radical Departure: This tuning is a significant departure from standard EADGBe. The 6th string (low E) is tuned down by a massive 11 semitones to F1, while the 1st string (high E) remains at its standard E4 pitch. This wide interval shift means that a standard gauge set of strings might feel very loose on the lower strings.

String Gauge Recommendation:

Given the extreme downtuning of the lower four strings (6th: -11 semitones, 5th: -9 semitones, 4th: -7 semitones, 3rd: -5 semitones), a heavier gauge string set is strongly advised to maintain proper tension, intonation, and playability. Tuning down by more than 4 semitones will make standard gauge strings feel very loose and potentially cause buzzing or intonation issues. Heavier strings will help achieve the desired tension and sustain for these deep pitches.

How to Tune: All Fifths Downtuned

To achieve the 'All Fifths Downtuned' tuning, you will adjust your strings from standard EADGBe as follows. Please note the significant drops in pitch for the lower strings.

6th String (Low E): Tune to F1. This requires you to tune down 11 semitones. (Note: Tuning down this significantly will require a much heavier gauge string to maintain tension and avoid excessive floppiness.)

5th String (A): Tune to C2. This requires you to tune down 9 semitones. (Note: A heavier gauge string is advised for this significant drop in pitch.)

4th String (D): Tune to G2. This requires you to tune down 7 semitones. (Note: A heavier gauge string is advised for this significant drop in pitch.)

3rd String (G): Tune to D3. This requires you to tune down 5 semitones. (Note: A heavier gauge string is advised for this significant drop in pitch.)

2nd String (B): Tune to A3. This requires you to tune down 2 semitones.

1st String (High E): Tune to E4. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).