The "Palimpest" tuning offers a distinctive and intriguing sound profile, as its creator notes, it's a "Cool sounding tuning open strum sounds good." This description hints at an intentional, perhaps even unconventional, harmonic landscape that rewards exploration and creative playing. It's designed not for conventional harmony, but for a unique sonic signature.

Technical Analysis: Open Voicing and Harmonic Potential

The open strings of this tuning are F#3 A#3 C#4 G#4 C4 F4 (from the lowest to the highest string). While the bottom three strings (F#3, A#3, C#4) clearly form a solid F# Major triad, the upper strings introduce a fascinating blend of extensions and non-diatonic notes relative to F# Major, creating a complex and tension-filled open voicing:

• String 6 (F#3): The root of an F# Major chord, providing the foundational bass.
• String 5 (A#3): The major third of F#, completing the F# Major triad on the lower strings.
• String 4 (C#4): The perfect fifth of F#, reinforcing the F# Major triad.
• String 3 (G#4): A major second (9th) above F#, adding a bright, suspended quality.
• String 2 (C4): This C natural note is a tritone (flat fifth) relative to F#. It creates significant dissonance and a bluesy or jazzy tension, clashing with the C# on string 4.
• String 1 (F4): An F natural note, which is a major seventh relative to F#. This adds a rich, sophisticated harmonic color, but also contributes to the overall tension with the F# root.

When all six strings are strummed open, this tuning produces an F# Major chord with a suspended 2nd (G#), a dissonant tritone (C natural), and a Major 7th (F natural). This is not a simple major or minor open chord, but rather a unique, tension-filled voicing suitable for atmospheric soundscapes, modern compositions, or as a springboard for distinct melodic and harmonic ideas. The deliberate juxtaposition of C# and C natural is particularly striking, suggesting a blend of major and chromatic elements.

Due to the F# Major triad formed on the lower strings (6, 5, 4), basic F# Major chord shapes and inversions on these strings will be easily accessible. The unique intervals on the upper strings will encourage players to explore new fingerings and chord voicings that leverage the inherent dissonance and extensions. Sliding up or down the neck while maintaining open string drones could yield powerful, evolving sonic textures, making this tuning ideal for experimental and ambient guitar work.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Palimpest

To achieve the Palimpest tuning from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), follow these precise string adjustments. Remember to always tune carefully, especially when increasing string tension. For movements exceeding 4 semitones up or down, considering a different string gauge is advisable, though the movements in this tuning are generally within safer limits for standard gauge strings.

• Low E String (String 6): Tune up 2 semitones to F#3.
• A String (String 5): Tune up 1 semitones to A#3.
• D String (String 4): Tune down 1 semitones to C#4.
• G String (String 3): Tune up 1 semitones to G#4.
• B String (String 2): Tune up 1 semitones to C4.
• High E String (String 1): Tune up 1 semitones to F4.

String 6 (Lowest): Tuned to F#3

String 5: Tuned to A#3

String 4: Tuned to C#4

String 3: Tuned to G#4

String 2: Tuned to C4

String 1 (Highest): Tuned to F4