The Vildjharta tuning is a deeply resonant 7-string setup, primarily utilized by the progressive metal band Vildhjarta on their debut album. It's best described as a heavily downtuned G Standard, with a unique alteration on the second string to sculpt its distinctive sonic character.

Verbal Analysis

This tuning plunges the guitar into an incredibly low and heavy sonic landscape. Imagine a standard 7-string, then detune almost every string by two full steps (four semitones) or more. The result is a profoundly dark, dense, and guttural sound, perfect for the djent and progressive metal genres Vildhjarta is known for. The low G on the 7th string provides an earth-shattering foundation, while the consistent interval spacing across most of the strings makes for incredibly powerful, chunky riffs and easily accessible power chords. The slight variation on the 2nd string adds a touch of harmonic complexity or perhaps facilitates specific melodic or chordal voicings unique to the band's style, moving away from a purely parallel-tuned system on the higher strings. It promotes a feeling of immense weight and atmosphere.

Technical Analysis

The tuning for this 7-string guitar is as follows, from the lowest (7th) to the highest (1st) string:

• G1 (7th String)
• C2 (6th String)
• F2 (5th String)
• A#3 (4th String - enharmonically B♭3)
• D#4 (3rd String - enharmonically E♭4)
• G#4 (2nd String - enharmonically A♭4)
• C4 (1st String)

Analyzing the intervals between adjacent strings reveals a predominantly perfect fourth (P4) structure:

• G1 to C2: Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• C2 to F2: Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• F2 to A#3: Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• A#3 to D#4: Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• D#4 to G#4: Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• G#4 to C4: Major 3rd (4 semitones)

The consistent P4 intervals across the lower five strings (7th to 3rd) facilitate easy formation of power chords and allow for horizontal riffing with minimal finger movement. This is a common characteristic in heavy music tunings. The notable deviation occurs between the 2nd (G#4) and 1st (C4) strings, where there is a Major 3rd interval. This interval, familiar from standard guitar tuning (e.g., G to B, or B to E on the top strings of a 6-string), allows for more traditional open or barre chord shapes on the higher register, offering harmonic possibilities beyond simple power chords. While not forming a conventional open chord across all seven strings, the low G-C-F provides a powerful root and fourth/fifth feel. The A#-D#-G# (B♭-E♭-A♭) also creates a series of perfect fourths. Open string dissonances and consonances can be strategically used for atmospheric or percussive effect.

How to Tune

To achieve the Vildjharta tuning, assuming you are starting from a standard 7-string B-Standard tuning (B1-E2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4), follow these steps:

• 7th String (B1): Tune down 4 semitones to G1.
• 6th String (E2): Tune down 4 semitones to C2.
• 5th String (A2): Tune down 4 semitones to F2.
• 4th String (D3): Tune down 4 semitones to A#3.
• 3rd String (G3): Tune down 4 semitones to D#4.
• 2nd String (B3): Tune down 3 semitones to G#4.
• 1st String (E4): Tune down 4 semitones to C4.

Important Note on String Gauges: Tuning down significantly, especially by 3 or 4 semitones across most strings, will result in considerably lower string tension. To maintain proper intonation, sustain, and playability (avoiding excessively floppy strings), it is strongly recommended to use a heavier gauge string set than you would for standard tuning. While none of the movements strictly 'exceed' a negative 4 semitone drop (e.g., -5 semitones), the overall deep tuning benefits greatly from thicker strings.