This is the "My Bloody Valentine tuning," famously employed by Kevin Shields in their iconic song 'Blown A Wish.' It's a highly idiosyncratic and captivating tuning that perfectly encapsulates the band's signature "wall of sound" and ethereal aesthetic. Verbally, this tuning presents a dense, resonant, and almost dreamlike sonic landscape. The interplay of multiple strings tuned to F# and B, alongside the piercing high G#, creates a rich harmonic cluster that is both dissonant and strangely beautiful. It's designed to wash over the listener, producing a shimmering, sustained texture full of overtones and a distinct sense of ambiguity. This tuning is a masterclass in shoegaze sound design, allowing for deep, immersive drones and swirling textures with minimal effort.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes are F#3, C#4, F#4, B3, B3, G#5. When strummed open, these notes form a complex, multi-octave harmony centered around F#. The lower three strings (F#3, C#4, F#4) establish a strong F# power chord foundation. The inclusion of B on the 3rd and 2nd strings introduces a prominent 4th (or 11th) interval to the F# root, giving the open chord a suspended, expansive quality (F#sus4, or F#add4). The unison B strings (B3, B3) contribute to a thick, chorused mid-range, creating unique opportunities for melodic counterpoint or sustained textures. Topping it off is the high G#5 on the first string, creating a major 9th interval relative to the F# root, adding a bright, almost chiming brilliance to the overall sound. This combination avoids typical major/minor tonality, instead creating a rich F#add4add9 chord with a distinctly Lydian or open, atmospheric feel. The close proximity of some notes across different strings, especially the F#s and Bs, makes for highly resonant drones and facilitates unique fingerings for clustered chords.

How to Tune

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 2 semitones to F#3. This is a moderate adjustment from the standard E.
• String 5 (A): Tune up 4 semitones to C#4. Please exercise caution when tuning up 4 semitones; a different gauge string may be advised if this is a permanent setup due to increased tension.
• String 4 (D): Tune up 4 semitones to F#4. Please exercise caution when tuning up 4 semitones; a different gauge string may be advised if this is a permanent setup due to increased tension.
• String 3 (G): Tune up 4 semitones to B3. Please exercise caution when tuning up 4 semitones; a different gauge string may be advised if this is a permanent setup due to increased tension.
• String 2 (B): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3. This string remains at its standard pitch.
• String 1 (High E): Tune up 4 semitones to G#5. Please exercise caution when tuning up 4 semitones; a different gauge string may be advised if this is a permanent setup due to increased tension.

String 6: F#3
String 5: C#4
String 4: F#4
String 3: B3
String 2: B3
String 1: G#5