The "All or None Tuning" is an exceptionally unique and high-tension setup for the guitar, designed for players seeking unconventional sonic landscapes. As its name implies, this tuning makes significant adjustments across almost all strings, aiming to place the guitar in a dramatically altered tonal state that can eliminate the need for a capo. However, it's crucial to acknowledge the extreme nature of these adjustments.

Verbal Analysis:

This tuning is not for the faint of heart, or for guitars not properly set up for high tension. With five of the six strings tuned up by a remarkable four semitones, and the lowest string by one semitone, it creates a very bright, tight, and potentially brittle sound. The combination of F2 and F#3 on adjacent lower strings introduces an immediate and striking dissonance, suggesting an experimental or atonal approach rather than traditional chordal playing. It's a tuning that will challenge a player's harmonic intuition and encourage exploration outside of standard Western scales. The high tension across the fretboard will offer a very different playing feel, potentially making bends harder and sustain shorter due to the increased string stiffness.

Technical Analysis:

Based on the specified string movements from standard EADGBe, the tuning establishes the notes F2 C#3 F#3 B3 D#4 G#4 from low to high. This creates a complex harmonic structure:

• The lowest string, F2, serves as the de facto root.
• Moving up, the interval from F2 to C#3 is an Augmented 5th (+8 semitones).
• The fourth string, F#3, sits a jarring minor 2nd (1 semitone) above an F an octave higher than the lowest string. This F/F# dyad across the lower open strings is highly dissonant and defines much of the tuning's character.
• Interestingly, the top three strings (G#4, D#4, B3) form an open G# minor triad (G# B D#). This provides a potential anchor for melodic or harmonic development within this otherwise challenging tuning. If strummed together, strings 1, 2, and 3 (G#4, D#4, B3) will yield a G# minor chord.
• The overall intervallic structure is highly irregular, moving away from common open chord shapes. Players will need to discover new fingerings for familiar chords or embrace the unique harmonic possibilities presented by these intervals. The extreme tension across most strings necessitates the use of a significantly lighter string gauge to prevent string breakage and potential neck damage.

The guitar is tuned to the following notes, from the lowest (6th) string to the highest (1st) string:

• 6th String (Low E string position): F2
• 5th String (A string position): C#3
• 4th String (D string position): F#3
• 3rd String (G string position): B3
• 2nd String (B string position): D#4
• 1st String (High E string position): G#4

How to Tune:

To achieve the "All or None Tuning" from standard EADGBe tuning, follow these precise adjustments. Given the significant changes, especially tuning up multiple semitones, it is highly recommended to use a lighter gauge string set to prevent damage to your instrument and ensure playability. Exceeding movements of 4 semitones (up or down) generally advises a different string gauge.

• 6th String (E2): Tune up 1 semitone to F2.
• 5th String (A2): Tune up 4 semitones to C#3. (Caution: A different gauge string is strongly advised for this 4-semitone increase.)
• 4th String (D3): Tune up 4 semitones to F#3. (Caution: A different gauge string is strongly advised for this 4-semitone increase.)
• 3rd String (G3): Tune up 4 semitones to B3. (Caution: A different gauge string is strongly advised for this 4-semitone increase.)
• 2nd String (B3): Tune up 4 semitones to D#4. (Caution: A different gauge string is strongly advised for this 4-semitone increase.)
• 1st String (E4): Tune up 4 semitones to G#4. (Caution: A different gauge string is strongly advised for this 4-semitone increase.)