GBF#BEG#C#F# Guitar Tuner

GBF#BEG#C#F# | GBG♭BEA♭D♭G♭ Undead 8 String - Guitar tuning, chords & scales

Description - Undead 8 String

to my understanding, undead corp play in drop b, as in c# std with low c# dropped to b, but they play on 7 string with high f# extension, and so i extended it to an 8 with low g

Verbal Analysis: The Sound of the Undead

The Undead 8 String tuning is an incredibly deep, experimental, and aggressive setup, directly inspired by the powerful sound associated with bands like Undead Corp. Building upon their known preference for a Drop B tuning (derived from C# Standard with the low C# dropped to B, and incorporating a high F# extension on a 7-string), this 8-string variant pushes the boundaries even further by extending the low range down to an earth-shattering G1.

This isn't a tuning for traditional chord-melody playing. Its unique structure, including significant pitch inversions and massive jumps between strings, points towards a focus on intricate, low-end riffing, complex arpeggios, and expansive textures. While conventional chords will be challenging due to the non-linear string order, the open notes themselves offer interesting dissonant and resonant qualities, making it ideal for creating atmospheric soundscapes or brutal, percussive chugs. Players might find compelling two-note power chords on the lowest two strings (G1, B1), but navigating the upper strings will require a highly creative and unconventional approach.

Technical Analysis: Unconventional Depths and Heights

Open Notes (Lowest to Highest String): G1, B1, F#3, B2, E3, G#4, C#5, F#5.
Extreme Pitch Range: From the incredibly low G1 on the 8th string to the high F#5 on the 1st string, this tuning spans nearly four octaves, providing an immense canvas for an 8-string instrument.
Pitch Inversions (Crossed Strings): A defining characteristic of this tuning is the inversion of pitch order. String 6 (F#3) is tuned *higher* in pitch than both String 5 (B2) and String 4 (E3). This is a highly unusual arrangement that forces players to completely rethink their fretboard navigation and technique, making standard chord shapes largely unplayable but opening doors for unique voicings and arpeggios.
Wide Inter-String Intervals: There are very wide intervals between adjacent strings. Most notably, an 18-semitone interval (a perfect fifth plus an octave) separates String 7 (B1) and String 6 (F#3). Additionally, a 16-semitone jump (a major third plus an octave) exists between String 4 (E3) and String 3 (G#4). These large gaps prevent easy translation of standard chord voicings and encourage single-string runs, multi-string tapping, or specific two-string patterns.
Harmonic Landscape: The lowest two strings (G1, B1) form a Major Third, offering a dark and resonant base. The introduction of F#3 on String 6 creates a G major 7th chord fragment (G-B-F#). The upper strings, featuring G#4, C#5, and F#5, suggest an F# minor or C# minor tonality, creating a potential for rich dissonance or polytonal harmonies when combined with the lower register. The B1 and B2 strings provide an octave reinforcement, grounding the tuning somewhat.

How to Tune: Achieving the Undead Sound

To achieve the Undead 8 String tuning, follow these precise adjustments. All tuning movements are described to reach the target note for each string from an assumed starting point. Given that all described movements are within a range of +/- 4 semitones, a change in string gauge is generally not immediately advised for tension reasons alone, but always be mindful of overall string tension and neck relief when making multiple adjustments.