This is the captivating "Open F#7sus4 'Kool' tuning," an intriguing and alternative setup, truly inspired by the experimental soundscapes of Sonic Youth. It's designed to push boundaries and create a unique sonic texture, especially when paired with distortion.

Technical Analysis

In this tuning, your guitar strings are set to the following notes, from the thickest (6th) to the thinnest (1st):

• 6th String: F#3 (Root)
• 5th String: F#3 (Octave/Unison with 6th)
• 4th String: C#4 (Perfect 5th relative to F#)
• 3rd String: F#4 (Octave relative to F#)
• 2nd String: E3 (Minor 7th relative to F#)
• 1st String: B3 (Perfect 4th relative to F#, creating the sus4)

The open strings resonate together to form a clear F#7sus4 chord (F# - B - C# - E). This is an unconventional and dissonant-yet-resolving sound, characteristic of alternative tunings. The repetition of F# across multiple strings provides a strong, resonant drone, while the E3 and B3 on the higher strings offer a surprisingly low and dark timbre for those positions, contributing to its "Kool" and experimental vibe.

Chords and Playability

With the open strings forming an F#7sus4, this tuning immediately provides a rich, complex chord without any fretting. Barring across any fret will transpose this F#7sus4 chord up the neck, making it easy to play a series of 7sus4 chords (e.g., barring at the 2nd fret yields G#7sus4). The low E3 and B3 on the 2nd and 1st strings respectively create a unique voicing, allowing for lower melodic lines or droning elements on what are typically higher-pitched strings. This opens up possibilities for thick, sonorous textures and power-chord-like structures that retain a suspended, jazzy tension. The "Sonic Youth inspired" tag is fitting, as this tuning encourages exploration beyond standard harmonic progressions, inviting dissonant clusters and resonant, ringing open strings into your playing. Experiment with partial chords, single-note runs across the drone strings, and let the sustained tension define your sound.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Open F#7sus4 'Kool' tuning" from standard EADGBe tuning, follow these adjustments carefully:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 2 semitones from E to F#3.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 3 semitones from A to F#3.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 1 semitone from D to C#4.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 1 semitone from G to F#4.
• 2nd String (B): Tune down 7 semitones from B to E3.
• 1st String (High e): Tune down 5 semitones from high e to B3.

Important Note on String Gauges: Please be aware that the 2nd string requires tuning down by 7 semitones and the 1st string by 5 semitones. Such significant drops (exceeding 4 semitones) can result in very loose strings, potential intonation issues, and may not produce the desired tension or tone with standard light gauge strings. For optimal playability and sound, it is highly recommended to consider using a heavier gauge string set, or at least individual heavier strings for your 2nd and 1st strings, to better accommodate these lower pitches. Tuning the 6th string up by 2 semitones is also a moderate change; monitor string tension closely.

String 6: F#3
String 5: F#3
String 4: C#4
String 3: F#4
String 2: E3
String 1: B3