Tuning Analysis: All Fourths from Gb

This tuning, named "All Fourths from Gb", presents a highly specialized and exceptionally low setup for a 7-string guitar. Referencing Krisse's Vildhjarta covers, it's clearly designed for the aggressive, complex, and deeply resonant sounds characteristic of modern progressive and djent metal.

Verbal Analysis

Prepare for an intensely heavy and guttural sonic experience. With the lowest string tuned to F#2, this tuning delves into frequencies far below standard 7-string configurations, providing an immense foundation for crushing riffs and profound melodic depth. The overall character is dark, powerful, and lends itself to intricate, often dissonant, voicings that push the boundaries of guitar texture.

While the name suggests an "all fourths" structure, the actual intervals are a fascinating blend, making traditional open chords largely impractical. However, this unique architecture opens up new avenues for creativity. The consistent perfect fourths on the four highest strings (B2, E3, A3, D4) offer a familiar feel for lead playing and quartal harmony within that range, much like a transposed standard guitar section. Power chords are readily accessible across many string pairs, providing the thick, impactful tones essential for heavy music. For instance, the lowest two strings (F#2-C#3) form a powerful fifth, and the middle strings (C#3-F#3) offer a fourth, easily forming a low F# power chord. The most distinct feature is the dramatic drop in pitch from the 5th string (F#3) to the 4th string (B2), which creates unique melodic opportunities and requires novel chord shapes and fingerings not found in more conventional tunings.

Technical Analysis

• Instrument Type: 7-String Guitar
• Open Notes (from lowest to highest string): F#2, C#3, F#3, B2, E3, A3, D4
• Intervals Between Adjacent Strings (from String 7 to String 1):
  • String 7 (F#2) to String 6 (C#3): Perfect Fifth + Octave (19 semitones up)
  • String 6 (C#3) to String 5 (F#3): Perfect Fourth (5 semitones up)
  • String 5 (F#3) to String 4 (B2): Perfect Fifth DOWN (7 semitones down). This significant pitch inversion for an adjacent string creates a highly distinctive harmonic landscape.
  • String 4 (B2) to String 3 (E3): Perfect Fourth (5 semitones up)
  • String 3 (E3) to String 2 (A3): Perfect Fourth (5 semitones up)
  • String 2 (A3) to String 1 (D4): Perfect Fourth (5 semitones up)
• Overall Structure: Contrary to its name, this tuning is not an "all fourths" tuning. It features a unique combination of a compound perfect fifth, a perfect fourth, an inverted perfect fifth, and then three consecutive perfect fourths. This complex structure provides a vast harmonic range, from the extremely low F#2 to the bright D4. The irregular intervals demand a creative approach to chord voicings and lead lines, yielding a highly original sound ideal for modern heavy music.

How to Tune

Achieving this tuning requires careful attention due to the significant pitch drops, especially on the lowest string. It's crucial to use a reliable tuner and be mindful of string tension. For string movements exceeding 4 semitones (up or down), a different string gauge is generally advised to maintain optimal playability, intonation, and prevent strings from becoming too loose or prone to breakage.

Follow these instructions to tune your 7-string guitar:

• String 7 (F#2): Tune down 5 semitones to reach F#2. Note: This is a substantial drop; a heavier gauge string is strongly recommended for proper tension and tone.
• String 6 (C#3): Tune down 3 semitones to reach C#3.
• String 5 (F#3): Tune down 3 semitones to reach F#3.
• String 4 (B2): Tune down 3 semitones to reach B2.
• String 3 (E3): Tune down 3 semitones to reach E3.
• String 2 (A3): Tune down 2 semitones to reach A3.
• String 1 (D4): Tune down 2 semitones to reach D4.