This tuning, famously associated with Sonic Youth, delivers a truly unique and often dissonant soundscape. It's less about conventional harmony and more about creating dense, ringing textures and powerful, experimental drones. If you're looking to break free from traditional chord voicings and explore noisy, atmospheric sonic territories, this tuning is your gateway.

Verbal Analysis:

Verbally, this tuning presents a stark and industrial sound. The multiple F# notes across the lower strings create an immense, almost overwhelming drone, making it feel rooted and heavy. The higher E and B strings introduce a significant amount of tension and dissonance against this F# foundation. The E string, specifically, creates a jarring minor second (or major seventh) interval with the F#s, while the B string offers a perfect fifth, adding a glimmer of consonance within the overall tension. It's a tuning that speaks of raw energy, controlled chaos, and a distinct lack of 'prettiness,' favoring instead an angular, abrasive beauty.

Technical Analysis:

Technically, the tuning is a fascinating study in intervallic relationships and sonic density:

• Open Notes: F#3, F#3, F#4, F#4, E3, B3
• Root: F# is undeniably the root, present across four of the six strings in two different octaves.
• Intervallic Relationships:
  • The E3 string (2nd string) creates a very close, dissonant interval with the surrounding F# notes (a minor second or major seventh). This is where much of the tuning's unique tension comes from.
  • The B3 string (1st string) forms a perfect fifth with the F# root (F# to B is a perfect fourth, B to F# is a perfect fifth). This provides some anchor amidst the dissonance.
• Chords and Voicings: Given the open strings, traditional major or minor chords are largely inaccessible without significant fretting. However, the open tuning strongly implies a F# Sus2/Sus4 or F# Minor 7th-like tonality if played across all strings (F#-E-B). The F# F# F# F# E B open string combination means you are essentially playing an F# minor chord with an added E (minor 7th) and B (perfect 4th/11th). Experimenting with single-finger barres or partial chords around the E and B strings can yield interesting results. For instance, fretting the B string (1st) on the 2nd fret would give C#, creating a stronger F#sus4 or F#m7 sound, while fretting the E string (2nd) on the 2nd fret for F# would further reinforce the F# drone. This tuning excels in generating droning textures, feedback, and intricate, noisy arpeggios rather than conventional chord progressions.

Current Tuning Notes:

• String 6 (Low E): F#3
• String 5 (A): F#3
• String 4 (D): F#4
• String 3 (G): F#4
• String 2 (B): E3
• String 1 (High E): B3

How to Tune (from Standard EADGBe):

Please exercise caution when adjusting string tension. Significant changes in tuning, especially tuning up, can put stress on your guitar and strings. If tuning up or down by more than 4 semitones, it's generally advisable to use a different gauge string to prevent breakage or neck damage.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune up 2 semitones to F#3. (Note: Standard E2 + 2 semitones = F#2; the target F#3 implies an octave higher than a direct semitone count from standard E2.)
• String 5 (A): Tune down 3 semitones to F#3. (Note: Standard A2 - 3 semitones = F#2; the target F#3 implies an octave higher than a direct semitone count from standard A2.)
• String 4 (D): Tune up 4 semitones to F#4. (Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones is a significant increase in tension for a D string. Consider a lighter gauge D string if playing in this tuning frequently.) (Note: Standard D3 + 4 semitones = F#3; the target F#4 implies an octave higher than a direct semitone count from standard D3.)
• String 3 (G): Tune down 1 semitone to F#4. (Note: Standard G3 - 1 semitone = F#3; the target F#4 implies an octave higher than a direct semitone count from standard G3. This is a very large pitch jump, effectively tuning the string an octave higher than its usual G-1 semitone.)
• String 2 (B): Tune down 7 semitones to E3. (Caution: Tuning down 7 semitones is a very significant drop in tension. A heavier gauge B string is strongly advised for playability and intonation.)
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 5 semitones to B3. (Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones is a significant drop in tension. A heavier gauge high E string is strongly advised for playability and intonation.)