Verbal Analysis: Emulating the Low End

This highly unconventional tuning, aptly named "Downtuned NST (or 8-on-6)" and humorously described as a solution for those "too broke to either buy extendeds or baritone," aims to replicate the massive low-end and extended range typically associated with an 8-string guitar, all on a standard 6-string instrument. It plunges your guitar into a realm of extreme downtuning, producing incredibly deep, resonant, and often guttural tones. This makes it an excellent choice for genres like djent, doom metal, deathcore, and experimental heavy music where immense sonic weight and low-frequency impact are paramount.

Achieving clarity and definition with such a dramatic drop in pitch can be challenging. As noted in the original description, it was "tested on 11-54 gauge" strings. However, for optimal performance, especially when tuning down by so many semitones, it's highly recommended to consider using significantly heavier gauge strings (e.g., 12-60 or even thicker, custom sets) or even investing in a baritone scale instrument to maintain proper string tension, intonation, and to prevent excessive string floppiness.

Technical Analysis: Perfect Fifths and a Drastic Drop

The open string notes for this tuning, from the lowest (6th) string to the highest (1st) string, are: F#2 - C#3 - G#3 - D#4 - A3 - E4.

This tuning presents a unique and powerful interval structure:

• The bottom four strings (F#2, C#3, G#3, D#4) are all tuned in consistent Perfect Fifth (P5) intervals. This creates an incredibly powerful and resonant foundation, making it exceptionally easy to create wide, open power chords and articulate complex, low-register riffs by barring across these strings. This configuration offers a very 'open' and 'ringing' quality to the lower register.
• The top two strings (A3, E4) are also tuned a Perfect Fifth apart.
• The most striking and unconventional interval lies between the 3rd string (D#4) and the 2nd string (A3). This is a dramatic drop of six semitones (a tritone) downwards from D#4 to A3. This specific interval creates a unique harmonic tension and allows for very wide, almost dissonant, and angular chord voicings not typically accessible in standard or common alternative tunings. It can be leveraged for unique melodic jumps and unexpected harmonic textures.

Chords and Voicings:

• Power Chords: The all-fifths tuning across the bottom four strings means that barring any fret from the 6th to the 3rd string will yield a powerful four-note chord consisting of a root and its perfect fifths, creating a thick, harmonically rich sound ideal for heavy rhythm work. For example, open strings 6 and 5 (F#2, C#3) give you an F#5 power chord. Adding strings 4 and 3 (G#3, D#4) creates an extended, resonant texture.
• Open String Clusters: While traditional major/minor open chords are generally not directly available, the open strings themselves form interesting clusters. The bottom three strings (F#2, C#3, G#3) create a very low F#5 with an added G# (a suspended 2nd if G# is seen relative to F#). The top three strings (D#4, A3, E4) form an A major chord in an unusual inversion with an added major third (E-A-D#). This offers unique harmonic backdrops for melodic exploration.
• Extended Voicings: The tritone jump between string 3 and string 2 encourages experimentation with large intervallic leaps in chords, creating expansive and often stark voicings that can sound particularly modern and aggressive.

Current Tuning Notes

• String 6 (Lowest string): F#2
• String 5: C#3
• String 4: G#3
• String 3: D#4
• String 2: A3
• String 1 (Highest string): E4

How to Tune

• String 6 (Low E String to F#2): Tune down 10 semitones. Caution: Tuning down by 10 semitones is a very significant change. We strongly recommend using a heavier gauge string set (e.g., 12-60 or thicker) to maintain adequate string tension and intonation, and to prevent string floppiness.
• String 5 (A String to C#3): Tune down 8 semitones. Caution: Tuning down by 8 semitones is a very significant change. We strongly recommend using a heavier gauge string set (e.g., 12-60 or thicker) to maintain adequate string tension and intonation, and to prevent string floppiness.
• String 4 (D String to G#3): Tune down 6 semitones. Caution: Tuning down by 6 semitones is a significant change. We strongly recommend considering a heavier gauge string for optimal performance.
• String 3 (G String to D#4): Tune down 4 semitones. Caution: Tuning down by 4 semitones is a noticeable change. You may experience some looseness with standard gauge strings; a slightly heavier gauge is advised for better playability.
• String 2 (B String to A3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 1 (High E String to E4): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).