The "Lady of Steel" tuning, famously utilized by Alexandr Misko & Dmitriy Toporov in their track of the same name, is a deeply resonant and incredibly versatile setup designed for modern fingerstyle and percussive guitar. This is not a standard tuning by any means; it delves into significantly lower registers, creating a unique sonic palette.

Verbal Analysis:

At its core, this tuning creates a massive, almost orchestral foundation with its two lowest strings tuned to F#. The F#2 on the 6th string and F#3 on the 5th string provide an octave root, delivering immense depth and power. This immediate octave presence is a signature characteristic, reminiscent of an 8-string guitar's extended low range. The 4th string, tuned to C#4, perfectly complements these F#s, establishing a strong F# power chord or F#5 right in the open position. The higher strings (E3, A3, B3) then weave in melodic and harmonic possibilities. The E3 on the 3rd string acts as a minor seventh to the F#, adding a bluesy or jazzy color, while the A3 and B3 on the top strings allow for rich chord extensions and bright upper voicings. This configuration lends itself wonderfully to percussive techniques, allowing the player to tap into a wide array of textures from deep thumps to shimmering harmonics.

Technical Analysis:

The open notes for this tuning are: F#2, F#3, C4#, E3, A3, B3 (from low to high).

• String 6 (F#2): The fundamental root, tuned down drastically.
• String 5 (F#3): An octave above the 6th string, reinforcing the root.
• String 4 (C#4): A perfect fifth to F#, creating a powerful low F# chord.
• String 3 (E3): A minor seventh above F#, adding a rich harmonic extension.
• String 2 (A3): A minor third above F#3, completing an F# minor triad with the C# (or an F#m7 with the E).
• String 1 (B3): A suspended fourth to F#3 (or a perfect fourth to E3), adding a bright, open quality.

Open Chord Voicings & Implications:

• The open strings F#2-F#3-C#4-E3-A3-B3 effectively form a F# minor 7sus4 (F#, A, B, C#, E) or F# Dorian-flavored chord. The strong F# root and its fifth (C#) are prominently featured, making power chords and low-end riffs incredibly impactful.
• The immediate presence of a minor third (A) and minor seventh (E) against the F# root means that F# minor-based harmonies and melodies are readily accessible across the neck without complex fingerings.
• The tuning’s unique string intervals allow for expansive chord voicings that would be impossible in standard tuning, opening up creative possibilities for arpeggios, harmonics, and complex melodic lines across disparate registers.

This is an ideal tuning for players looking to explore deep, resonant soundscapes, percussive elements, and intricate harmonic textures.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Lady of Steel Tuning

This tuning involves significant adjustments to standard guitar tuning, particularly deep drops on most strings. Given the substantial string movements, please tune slowly and carefully.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down 10 semitones to F#2. Caution: Tuning down 10 semitones is an extremely large adjustment. A significantly heavier gauge string is strongly advised for this string to maintain playable tension and intonation.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 3 semitones to F#3. This is a noticeable drop in pitch, which will result in reduced string tension.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone to C#4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 3 semitones to E3. This is a noticeable drop in pitch, which will result in reduced string tension.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 2 semitones to A3.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 5 semitones to B3. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a very large adjustment. A heavier gauge string is advised for this string to prevent it from becoming too loose and buzzing.

Always check your intonation at the 12th fret after tuning, especially with such significant changes.