Verbal Analysis

This is a truly extreme and unconventional tuning, as indicated by its description: "super heavy! tried using it for shokran and ghost iris." It's unequivocally designed for the heaviest genres, such as djent, deathcore, or progressive metal, where crushing low-end riffs and intricate, often dissonant, textures are paramount. The wide range of notes and significant shifts from standard tuning suggest a pursuit of unique sonic landscapes that push the boundaries of guitar playing. Expect a very thick, resonant foundation with potential for piercing high-register melodies.

Technical Analysis

The tuning's open notes are F3#, C4#, F4#, B3, E3, G5# (from low to high string). While named "Drop F", the core of the lower wound strings (6th, 5th, and 4th) establishes a robust F# power chord: F#3 (String 6), C#4 (String 5), F#4 (String 4). This configuration is ideal for heavy, single-finger power chord riffing, providing a massive, fundamental sound in the key of F# Minor or Major.

However, the tuning deviates significantly from a typical "drop" structure with the inclusion of E3 on the 2nd string and B3 on the 3rd string, which are lower in pitch than the F# power chord. Specifically, the notes in ascending pitch order are E3 (String 2), F#3 (String 6), B3 (String 3), C#4 (String 5), F#4 (String 4), G#5 (String 1). This creates some interesting intervals:

• String 6 (F#3) to String 5 (C#4): A perfect 5th, forming the root-fifth of an F# power chord.
• String 5 (C#4) to String 4 (F#4): A perfect 4th, completing the root-fifth-octave F# power chord.
• String 4 (F#4) to String 3 (B3): A diminished 5th (or augmented 4th) descending interval. This provides a distinct, somewhat dissonant interval against the F# foundation.
• String 3 (B3) to String 2 (E3): A perfect 4th descending interval. Notably, E3 is the lowest actual pitch in this tuning, even though it's on the 2nd string.
• String 1 (G#5): This string presents a dramatic leap of an octave and a major 2nd (14 semitones) from the 4th string (F#4), or an even larger interval from the lower strings. This extremely high pitch offers potential for cutting leads, squealing harmonics, or ambient textures that float above the heavy rhythmic foundation.

Potential Open Chords/Shapes:

• F# Power Chord: Strings 6, 5, 4 (F#3, C#4, F#4) create a strong F#5 chord, making it effortless for heavy, chugging riffs.
• Suspended Voicings: The combination of F#3, C#4, F#4, B3 could hint at an F#sus4 or Bsus2 sound if played selectively, offering a modern, open quality.
• Complex Textures: Due to the non-standard intervals and wide range, this tuning encourages exploration of unique dissonances and open, expansive voicings rather than traditional major/minor chords. The lowest E3 combined with the F# elements could lean into E Minor or Phrygian tonalities with an F# drone, perfect for creating dark, atmospheric soundscapes.

How to Tune

Achieving this tuning requires significant adjustments to most strings. Please be mindful of string gauge and neck tension, especially for strings tuned up 4 semitones or down 7 semitones. It is generally advised that movements exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down) may require a different string gauge to maintain proper playability and prevent damage to your instrument. If your guitar is not typically set up for extreme tunings, a professional setup might be advisable.

• String 6 (Low E String): Tune to F3# by tuning up 2 semitones.
• String 5 (A String): Tune to C4# by tuning up 4 semitones. (Caution: Consider a lighter gauge string for this significant upward tension.)
• String 4 (D String): Tune to F4# by tuning up 4 semitones. (Caution: Consider a lighter gauge string for this significant upward tension.)
• String 3 (G String): Tune to B3 by tuning up 4 semitones. (Caution: Consider a lighter gauge string for this significant upward tension.)
• String 2 (B String): Tune to E3 by tuning down 7 semitones. (Caution: This significant drop will likely require a much heavier gauge string to maintain tension and avoid floppiness.)
• String 1 (High E String): Tune to G5# by tuning up 4 semitones. (Caution: Consider a lighter gauge string for this significant upward tension.)

String 6: F3#

String 5: C4#

String 4: F4#

String 3: B3

String 2: E3

String 1: G5#