This unique tuning, aptly named "F#m7 Tuning," presents a rich and complex sonic landscape for the adventurous guitarist. Derived from a classic Sonic Youth (SY) F#F#Eb setup, it has been meticulously tweaked to form an open F# minor 7th chord (F# A C# E) across all six strings. This creates a foundation that is inherently harmonic, offering immediate access to lush voicings, yet as the creator notes, it can become quite dissonant when attempting standard chord shapes.

Technical Analysis:

The open strings are tuned to F#3 A2 E3 F#4 A3 C#5. When analyzed, these notes collectively form an F# minor 7th chord, voiced as:

• F# (Root): Present on the 6th string (F#3) and 3rd string (F#4), providing a strong foundational and octave presence.
• A (Minor Third): Appears on the 5th string (A2) and 2nd string (A3), offering a sweet, melancholic character. The A2 is notably below the lowest F# root, creating an inverted feel.
• C# (Perfect Fifth): Found on the 1st string (C#5), adding stability and brightness to the chord.
• E (Minor Seventh): Located on the 4th string (E3), which provides the distinctive minor 7th quality, adding a touch of jazz and blues potential.

This particular voicing creates a dense, multi-octave F#m7 chord (A2 - E3 - F#3 - A3 - F#4 - C#5 from lowest to highest note). This inherent structure allows for easy exploration of F#m7 arpeggios and drones. You can achieve various inversions by simply muting strings or adding single notes. Standard minor or major triads built on other roots will likely sound unexpected, encouraging exploration outside conventional harmonic frameworks. The creator's observation of its "somewhat harmonic in nature whilst also being quite dissonant" perfectly captures this duality. The specific string gauges mentioned (.42 .42 .24 .24 .16 .14) are a starting point, and as the creator suggests, may warrant adjustment for optimal tension and tone given the varied string movements.

Open Chords & Shapes:

The most obvious open chord is a full, rich F#m7. Strumming all strings will yield a powerful F#m7 chord with excellent note distribution. Other possibilities include:

• F# minor: By muting the 4th string (E3), you can achieve an F# minor triad.
• A major (inverted): The open A2, C#5 (and an E can be played on the 4th string open) could hint at an A major sound, especially with the low A.
• Power Chords: Given the two F# strings (6th and 3rd) and two A strings (5th and 2nd), power chords (F#5, A5) can be easily formed and expanded across octaves.
• Drones and Riffs: The repeated F# and A notes, along with the E minor seventh, lend themselves well to droning and melodic riffing in the key of F# minor, or even modes like F# Dorian.

This tuning is ripe for experimentation, particularly for those looking to break free from traditional chord voicings and discover new melodic and harmonic possibilities, much like its inspirational source, Sonic Youth.

How to Tune:

To achieve this F#m7 Tuning from standard E Standard tuning, follow these precise string adjustments:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 2 semitones from E to F#3.
• 5th String (A): Keep as is; no change to A2.
• 4th String (D): Tune up 2 semitones from D to E3.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone from G to F#4.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones from B to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 3 semitones from E to C#5.

Important Note: While none of these individual string movements exceed a shift of 4 semitones (up or down), always exercise caution when adjusting string tension. For significantly large or frequent tuning changes, or if you notice excessive tension or looseness, consider consulting a luthier or experimenting with different string gauges to ensure optimal playability and instrument health.

6th String: F#3

5th String: A2

4th String: E3

3rd String: F#4

2nd String: A3

1st String: C#5