Verbal Analysis

This is an exceptionally low and heavy 7-string guitar tuning, aptly captured by its designer's description: "bwom." It is engineered to deliver a profoundly deep, resonant, and crushing sonic foundation, making it ideal for genres that demand extreme low-end power such as djent, doom metal, deathcore, or experimental progressive music. The inclusion of G1 as the lowest note provides an unparalleled depth, ensuring that every riff feels incredibly weighty and impactful. The overall tuning strongly suggests a dark, powerful, and potentially dissonant soundscape, offering significant harmonic possibilities for players exploring the frontiers of heavy music.

Technical Analysis

This 7-string tuning features the following open notes, from the lowest String 7 to the highest String 1:

• String 7: G1
• String 6: A#2
• String 5: D2
• String 4: A#3
• String 3: D#4
• String 2: G3
• String 1: C4

A defining characteristic of this tuning is the immediate formation of an open G minor triad (G-A#-D) across the lowest three strings (String 7: G1, String 6: A#2, String 5: D2). This provides an instant, powerful minor tonality perfect for heavy, brooding riffs and chugging patterns.

Further analysis of intervallic relationships and harmonic potential reveals:

• The A#2 on String 6 is reinforced by an octave higher A#3 on String 4, adding harmonic density and supporting the minor third of the G minor chord.
• Similarly, the root G1 on String 7 is mirrored by an octave higher G3 on String 2, ensuring a strong and omnipresent G root across different registers.
• The D#4 on String 3 (enharmonically Eb4) introduces a minor sixth or augmented fourth relative to the G root. This note can create interesting dissonances or modal flavors, offering opportunities for dark melodic lines or tension-building chords, particularly when combined with the A# notes.
• The highest string, C4, forms a perfect fourth interval with the G3 on String 2. This allows for open Gsus4 voicings, or can be easily integrated into C major/minor chords with a sustained G bass, expanding the harmonic palette beyond strict G minor.

Accessible chord shapes and voicings:

• The open G minor triad on strings 7, 6, and 5 is a cornerstone, providing a readily available and robust foundation for riffs.
• Power chords utilizing String 7 and String 5 (G1-D2) create a powerful G5 voicing. Other power chord shapes can be easily derived due to the presence of octave notes.
• The unique intervallic structure, especially the broad spacing and the D#4, encourages exploration of dissonant two-note voicings (dyads) and specific cluster chords, moving beyond traditional open major/minor shapes.
• This tuning offers considerable potential for ambient textures, low-end drones, and atmospheric sound design due to the extreme low G1 and its octave reinforcement.

How to Tune

Achieving this exceptionally low and unique tuning requires significant downtuning across all strings from standard pitch. It is crucial to proceed with caution and strongly consider using a dedicated set of heavier gauge strings to maintain proper tension, intonation, and to prevent string floppiness or potential damage to your instrument.

• String 7: Tune down 4 semitones to G1. (Caution: This is a substantial drop. A heavier gauge string is advised.)
• String 6: Tune down 6 semitones to A#2. (Heavy gauge string highly recommended for this significant drop.)
• String 5: Tune down 7 semitones to D2. (Heavy gauge string highly recommended for this substantial drop, equivalent to a full perfect fifth down.)
• String 4: Tune down 4 semitones to A#3. (Caution: A heavier gauge string is advised.)
• String 3: Tune down 4 semitones to D#4. (Caution: A heavier gauge string is advised.)
• String 2: Tune down 4 semitones to G3. (Caution: A heavier gauge string is advised.)
• String 1: Tune down 4 semitones to C4. (Caution: A heavier gauge string is advised.)

Important Note: All strings are tuned down by 4 or more semitones. String 6 and String 5 are tuned down by 6 and 7 semitones respectively. For optimal performance, intonation, and to prevent potential string or instrument damage, a custom set of very thick gauge strings designed for extreme downtuning is strongly recommended for this setup.

String 7: G1

String 6: A#2

String 5: D2

String 4: A#3

String 3: D#4

String 2: G3

String 1: C4