"g standard 7-string" Tuning Analysis

This tuning, aptly named "g standard 7-string," plunges the 7-string guitar into a realm of extreme low frequency. As highlighted by its adoption by bands like Gorguts and Vildhjarta, it's engineered for the heaviest genres, providing a foundation for crushing riffs and profound sonic textures. The tuning is described as two whole steps (four semitones) down from a conventional 7-string standard.

Verbal Analysis

The "g standard 7-string" tuning delivers an incredibly deep and guttural sound, perfect for modern metal, djent, and other forms of heavy music. Starting with a thunderous G1 on the lowest string, it provides an almost piano-like bass register that can add immense weight to any composition. While the overall pitch is very low, requiring heavier gauge strings for optimal tension and intonation, players should be aware of some highly unconventional octave shifts within the open strings, particularly between the 5th, 4th, and 3rd strings. These unique characteristics create distinct sonic possibilities but also necessitate a significant rethinking of traditional chord shapes and fingerings. The deep resonant qualities of this tuning excel in creating massive, wall-of-sound textures and brutal, palm-muted riffs.

Technical Analysis

• Overall Pitch: The tuning is transposed down significantly, with the lowest string at G1, which is exceptionally low and ideal for extending the guitar's sonic range into sub-bass frequencies.
• Open Tuning Notes: G1, C2, F2, A3#, D4#, G3, C4.
• Interval Structure (from lowest to highest string):
  • String 7 (G1) to String 6 (C2): Perfect 4th (P4, 5 semitones)
  • String 6 (C2) to String 5 (F2): Perfect 4th (P4, 5 semitones)
  • String 5 (F2) to String 4 (A3#): Compound Major 3rd (P8 + M3, 16 semitones). This represents a very large, unconventional leap in pitch, taking the note more than an octave higher.
  • String 4 (A3#) to String 3 (D4#): Perfect 4th (P4, 5 semitones)
  • String 3 (D4#) to String 2 (G3): Descending Major 6th (down 8 semitones). This is highly unusual for adjacent guitar strings, meaning the 3rd string is significantly higher in pitch than the 2nd string.
  • String 2 (G3) to String 1 (C4): Perfect 4th (P4, 5 semitones)
• Chordal and Melodic Implications:

  Due to the highly irregular octave placement of the open strings, traditional open chord shapes will not translate directly. The significant pitch jumps (F2 to A3#) and the descending pitch between the 3rd and 2nd strings (D4# to G3) create a unique, often dissonant, harmonic landscape for open strings. However, the prevalence of perfect 4ths between most strings (excluding the problematic 5th-4th and 3rd-2nd intervals) means that power chords built on adjacent strings will be common and powerful, especially on the lower register. Barre chords will produce very dense, unique voicings, but require careful navigation around the non-standard intervals.

How to Tune

To achieve the "g standard 7-string" tuning, you will need to tune all strings down by four semitones (two whole steps) from your current 7-string standard tuning. Given the significant drop in pitch (4 semitones on every string), it is strongly recommended to use a thicker gauge string set to maintain proper string tension and intonation. Proceed with care during tuning.

• String 7 (Lowest String): Tune down 4 semitones to G1. (A different gauge string is advised due to the significant drop).
• String 6: Tune down 4 semitones to C2. (A different gauge string is advised due to the significant drop).
• String 5: Tune down 4 semitones to F2. (A different gauge string is advised due to the significant drop).
• String 4: Tune down 4 semitones to A3#. (A different gauge string is advised due to the significant drop).
• String 3: Tune down 4 semitones to D4#. (A different gauge string is advised due to the significant drop).
• String 2: Tune down 4 semitones to G3. (A different gauge string is advised due to the significant drop).
• String 1 (Highest String): Tune down 4 semitones to C4. (A different gauge string is advised due to the significant drop).