The '10 String Double Drop F#' tuning is a profoundly deep and expansive configuration for a 10-string guitar, designed to push the boundaries of low-end sonic exploration. As its name suggests, it centers around a very low F#, creating a heavy, resonant foundation. This tuning is characterized by significant drops in pitch across almost all strings, resulting in a rich, dark timbre ideal for genres such as extreme metal, djent, progressive rock, or experimental music requiring vast sonic landscapes.

Technical Analysis

This tuning presents a unique re-entrant structure, meaning the strings are not strictly arranged from lowest to highest pitch in linear order. The open notes from the lowest (string 9) to the highest (string 1) are F#1, C#2, F#2, B1, E2, A2, D3, G3, B3. Noticeably, string 6 (B1) is tuned significantly lower than string 7 (F#2), creating unexpected intervallic relationships across the instrument.

Open String Intervals (from lowest to highest physical string)

• String 9 (F#1) to String 8 (C#2): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
• String 8 (C#2) to String 7 (F#2): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• String 7 (F#2) to String 6 (B1): Descending interval; B1 is a Perfect 4th below F#2 (7 semitones lower in pitch)
• String 6 (B1) to String 5 (E2): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• String 5 (E2) to String 4 (A2): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• String 4 (A2) to String 3 (D3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• String 3 (D3) to String 2 (G3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• String 2 (G3) to String 1 (B3): Major 3rd (4 semitones)

Chords and Playability

The most immediate open chord in this tuning is an immense F# power chord, formed by the lowest three strings (F#1, C#2, F#2). This provides an incredibly solid and weighty harmonic foundation. Due to the 'drop' nature, single-finger barres across these low strings will consistently yield powerful root-fifth-root chords, making heavy riffing particularly accessible.

The upper register of the tuning, specifically strings 5 through 1 (E2, A2, D3, G3, B3), closely mirrors the lower five strings of a standard EADGBe 6-string guitar (excluding the low E string). This means players familiar with standard tuning can adapt many common chord shapes and scale patterns to this section of the fretboard, allowing for versatility despite the extreme low end. However, the re-entrant section (strings 7 and 6) will require significant adaptation for full-range chords, offering unique harmonic possibilities for adventurous players.

Current Tuning Notes

This tuning features a wide array of deeply pitched notes across its 10 strings:

• String 9 (Lowest): F#1
• String 8: C#2
• String 7: F#2
• String 6: B1
• String 5: E2
• String 4: A2
• String 3: D3
• String 2: G3
• String 1 (Highest): B3

How to Tune

Achieving this unique tuning requires significant adjustments to the strings. Please proceed with caution. The movements below describe the change in pitch required to reach the target note for each string:

• String 9 (Lowest): To reach F#1, tune down 7 semitones. (Significant drop, heavier gauge advised.)
• String 8: To reach C#2, tune down 5 semitones. (Significant drop, heavier gauge advised.)
• String 7: To reach F#2, tune down 5 semitones. (Significant drop, heavier gauge advised.)
• String 6: To reach B1, tune down 5 semitones. (Significant drop, heavier gauge advised.)
• String 5: To reach E2, tune down 5 semitones. (Significant drop, heavier gauge advised.)
• String 4: To reach A2, tune down 5 semitones. (Significant drop, heavier gauge advised.)
• String 3: To reach D3, tune down 5 semitones. (Significant drop, heavier gauge advised.)
• String 2: To reach G3, tune down 4 semitones. (Significant drop, heavier gauge advised.)
• String 1 (Highest): To reach B3, tune down 5 semitones. (Significant drop, heavier gauge advised.)

Important String Gauge Note: As almost all strings are tuned down by 4 semitones or more, it is highly recommended to use a different, heavier gauge string set specifically designed for such low tunings. Using standard gauge strings with these large drops in pitch can result in excessive floppiness, poor intonation, and an increased risk of string breakage or damage to your instrument, especially with extreme tension changes.