Verbal Description

The "Modulated Drop D" tuning, as described for the death metal band World Eater's new demos, is a strikingly unique 7-string setup designed for a heavy, complex, and dissonant sound palette. Its most distinctive characteristic lies in the unconventional pitch relationship between the two lowest strings: the 7th string (F#2) is actually tuned a minor third higher than the 6th string (D2). This inverted interval creates a surprising harmonic foundation, allowing for potent dissonances or unique melodic voicings where the expected lowest note is superseded by a higher, resonant drone. The rest of the tuning, from the 6th string upwards (D G C F A D), predominantly features perfect fourth intervals, providing a familiar and consistent fretboard layout for power chords and scale shapes, with a major third occurring between the F and A strings. This configuration lends itself well to the aggressive and experimental nature of death metal, offering rich, open Dsus4 sonorities alongside the capacity for crushing, inverted low-end riffs.

Technical Analysis

This 7-string tuning, officially named "Modulated Drop D," features the following open notes from the lowest (7th) to the highest (1st) string:

• 7th String: F#2
• 6th String: D2
• 5th String: G2
• 4th String: C3
• 3rd String: F3
• 2nd String: A3
• 1st String: D4

Intervalic Relationships (between adjacent strings, from low to high pitch):

• 7th String (F#2) to 6th String (D2): Descending Minor 3rd (4 semitones down). This is a highly unusual and defining feature, where the physically lower string is higher in pitch.
• 6th String (D2) to 5th String (G2): Perfect 4th (5 semitones up).
• 5th String (G2) to 4th String (C3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones up).
• 4th String (C3) to 3rd String (F3): Perfect 4th (5 semitones up).
• 3rd String (F3) to 2nd String (A3): Major 3rd (4 semitones up).
• 2nd String (A3) to 1st String (D4): Perfect 4th (5 semitones up).

Open Chords and Potential Shapes:

• The open strings 6 through 1 (D G C F A D) form a Dsus4 chord, providing a rich, suspended harmonic quality.
• Including the 7th string (F#2), the full open voicing (F# D G C F A D) creates a complex, dissonant texture. It can be interpreted as a Dsus4 with an added major third (F#) or a more intricate dominant/diminished quality depending on the harmonic context.
• Power chords are easily formed across strings 6-4 (D-G-C) and 5-3 (G-C-F) due to the consistent perfect fourth intervals, allowing for straightforward heavy riffing.
• The unique F#2-D2 interval offers creative opportunities for unconventional bass lines and chugging rhythms, utilizing the higher 7th string for unexpected melodic accents or grinding dissonances against the lower D-string.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Modulated Drop D" tuning, adjust each string to the specified target note according to the indicated semitone movements. These movements describe the necessary change from a presumed initial state of your guitar, leading to the final target tuning. All suggested string movements are within safe limits for standard string gauges (no more than 2 semitones of change), so a different gauge string is not advised.

• 7th String: Tune to F#2. Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).
• 6th String: Tune to D2. This requires tuning down 2 semitones.
• 5th String: Tune to G2. This requires tuning down 2 semitones.
• 4th String: Tune to C3. This requires tuning down 2 semitones.
• 3rd String: Tune to F3. This requires tuning down 2 semitones.
• 2nd String: Tune to A3. This requires tuning down 2 semitones.
• 1st String: Tune to D4. This requires tuning down 2 semitones.

Recommendation: Always use a reliable chromatic tuner for precise adjustments. After any significant tuning changes, it's advisable to check and adjust your guitar's intonation for optimal performance.