Verbal Description

The Tone Barre tuning is a unique and powerful setup for a 7-string guitar, designed specifically to excel in creating rich barre chords, particularly within the extension range of the instrument. As its name suggests and its description highlights, it aims to be the "King of tunings for barre chords on 7-string" and an "Extension of Mandoguitar". This tuning offers a departure from standard guitar voicings, providing a broad harmonic palette for adventurous players.

Its most striking feature is the foundation of six perfect fifths across the lowest strings (F-C-G-D-A-E), reminiscent of mandolin, violin, or cello tunings. This interval structure creates an incredibly resonant and open sound. A straight barre across these strings instantly yields a powerful, stacked-fifth chord, making voicings incredibly deep and wide. This makes complex chord shapes accessible and simple barre chords exceptionally full-bodied, perfect for rock, metal, or any genre desiring a majestic sonic presence.

Adding to its individuality, the Tone Barre tuning employs a re-entrant high string (B3). This means the thinnest string (String 1) is actually lower in pitch than the string adjacent to it (String 2, E4). This re-entrant configuration, often found in instruments like ukuleles, offers unique harmonic possibilities, allowing for shimmering, drone-like effects or unexpected voicings within chords that can make familiar shapes sound entirely new.

The open strings themselves (F1-C2-G2-D3-A3-E4-B3) form a rich and complex Fmaj13#11 chord (F, C, G, D, A, E, B). This provides a naturally harmonically dense canvas, ideal for ambient soundscapes, jazz-fusion, or progressive styles. The wide intervals also mean that melodic lines can span a vast range with minimal fretboard movement.

Technical Analysis

This 7-string guitar tuning, F1-C2-G2-D3-A3-E4-B3 (low to high), features the following interval relationships between adjacent strings:

• String 7 (F1) to String 6 (C2): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
• String 6 (C2) to String 5 (G2): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
• String 5 (G2) to String 4 (D3): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
• String 4 (D3) to String 3 (A3): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
• String 3 (A3) to String 2 (E4): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
• String 2 (E4) to String 1 (B3): Perfect 4th down (5 semitones down / -5 semitones)

Important Tuning Considerations

When setting up your instrument for this tuning, please note the significant tension changes required for several strings. It is generally advised to exercise caution when tuning more than 4 semitones up or down, and a different string gauge may be necessary to ensure optimal playability and string longevity.

• String 7: Tuning down 6 semitones (F1) is a substantial drop. A heavier gauge string for the lowest string is highly recommended to maintain adequate tension and tone.
• String 6: Tuning down 4 semitones (C2) is a considerable drop. While just within the suggested limit for standard gauges, taking care and monitoring tension is advised.
• String 2: Tuning up 5 semitones (E4) is a significant increase in tension. Consider a lighter gauge string to prevent undue stress on the neck and potential string breakage.
• String 1: Tuning down 5 semitones (B3) also represents a considerable drop in tension. A heavier gauge for this string might be beneficial for better intonation and feel, especially given its re-entrant position.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Tone Barre

Follow these instructions carefully to achieve the Tone Barre tuning. Please be mindful of string tension changes as detailed in the description.

• String 7 (Lowest String): To achieve F1, Tune down 6 semitones.
• String 6: To achieve C2, Tune down 4 semitones.
• String 5: To achieve G2, Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 4: To achieve D3, Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• String 3: To achieve A3, Tune up 2 semitones.
• String 2: To achieve E4, Tune up 5 semitones.
• String 1 (Highest String): To achieve B3, Tune down 5 semitones.