Thornhill's Low F# Drop (7-String): A Deep Dive

This distinctive 7-string tuning, famously utilised by the band Thornhill, plunges the guitar into a realm of exceptionally low frequencies, perfect for modern metalcore, djent, and progressive metal styles. It's a tuning designed for massive, crushing riffs and intricate, dark sonic textures.

Verbal Analysis

Right from the lowest string, the F#2 establishes an incredibly deep and resonant foundation. The tuning is characterised by significant drops across all strings from a standard 7-string B-standard tuning, creating a sludgy, aggressive, and highly percussive sound. The repeated F# notes (on strings 7 and 5) provide a powerful octave doubling, giving an immense sense of weight to open position power chords. The overall impression is one of immense power and gloom, ideal for driving, rhythm-heavy compositions with moments of atmospheric tension from the higher strings.

Technical Analysis

The open notes for this 7-string tuning, from lowest to highest, are: F#2 C#3 F#3 B2 D#4 G#4 C#5.

• The lowest three strings (F#2, C#3, F#3) immediately form an F# power chord, reinforced by the octave F# on the 5th string. This makes for incredibly thick, easy-to-play power chords in the lowest register, a hallmark of its heavy sound.
• The 4th string (B2) creates an interesting interval, forming a perfect 4th with the lowest F#2 (F# - B), which is common in drop tunings for easy chord shapes. When combined with the F# on the 5th string, it creates an open B5 power chord.
• The higher strings (D#4, G#4, C#5) offer a palette for melodic exploration, often contrasting with the rhythmic intensity of the lower strings. The intervals between the higher strings are less conventional, suggesting that specific chord voicings or melodic lines are intended rather than general open chord strumming.

While not designed for standard open chord voicings, the tuning inherently provides several accessible open string chords and shapes:

• F# Power Chord: Achieved easily across the lowest three strings (F#2, C#3, F#3). Simply bar across these strings for a huge F#5 sound.
• B Power Chord: Play the 7th string (F#2) and the 4th string (B2) together, or by barring the 4th, 5th, and 6th strings at the 0th fret (B2, F#3, C#3), though this is more dissonant due to the C#. A pure B5 would involve the 4th string B2 and the 5th string F#3.
• One-Finger Power Chords: Like many drop tunings, moving a single finger across the bottom few strings (7, 6, 5, 4) allows for easy power chords and riffs. For example, barring at the 2nd fret would yield G#5 (G#2, D#3, G#3, C#3) and barring at the 7th fret would give C#5 (C#3, G#3, C#4, F#3) across the lowest four strings.

This tuning is a beast, offering an expansive low end and unique sonic possibilities for heavy music. It's a testament to how creative tuning can define a band's sound.

Current Tuning Notes

• String 7 (Lowest String): F#2
• String 6: C#3
• String 5: F#3
• String 4: B2
• String 3: D#4
• String 2: G#4
• String 1 (Highest String): C#5

How to Tune: Thornhill's Low F# Drop (7-String)

To achieve this tuning, you will be tuning all strings down from a standard 7-string B-Standard tuning (B2 E3 A3 D3 G4 B4 E5). Please proceed with care, especially with significant pitch changes.

• String 7 (Lowest String): Tune down 5 semitones from B2 to F#2. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant change. A string gauge heavier than standard is strongly recommended for this string to maintain proper tension, intonation, and prevent excessive floppiness.
• String 6: Tune down 3 semitones from E3 to C#3.
• String 5: Tune down 3 semitones from A3 to F#3.
• String 4: Tune down 3 semitones from D3 to B2.
• String 3: Tune down 4 semitones from G4 to D#4. Consider a slightly heavier gauge for this string to ensure optimal tension and playability, as it's tuned down a full 4 semitones.
• String 2: Tune down 3 semitones from B4 to G#4.
• String 1 (Highest String): Tune down 3 semitones from E5 to C#5.

Always ensure your guitar's intonation is checked after making such significant tuning adjustments, as string tension changes can affect playability and pitch accuracy across the fretboard.