Overview: Hunter's Deep GCFC

This experimental and hybrid tuning, inspired by Charlie Hunter's Big 6 G tuning, offers a uniquely deep and expansive sonic landscape. It takes the lower register of the guitar to new depths while pushing the upper strings into a distinct higher register, creating a 'wide' and open feel across all six strings. The result is a versatile tuning suitable for jazz, fusion, ambient music, and anything requiring rich, resonant voicings and broad harmonic possibilities.

Verbal Analysis

"Hunter's Deep GCFC" immediately strikes the listener with a profound, almost orchestral low end. The G1, C2, and F2 provide an incredibly deep foundation, allowing for powerful bass lines and resonant drone notes. The higher strings (D3, G3, C4) complement this by creating open, shimmering voicings that can feel both familiar and refreshingly new. The tuning feels 'wide' not just in its frequency range but also in its harmonic possibilities, inviting complex chord extensions and modal explorations. It encourages an almost piano-like approach, with distinct bass and treble registers working in harmony, offering both familiarity and refreshing novelty for various creative genres.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes for this tuning are: G1 - C2 - F2 - D3 - G3 - C4 (from thickest to thinnest string).

• The intervals between strings are:
  • String 6 (G1) to String 5 (C2): Perfect 4th (up 5 semitones)
  • String 5 (C2) to String 4 (F2): Perfect 4th (up 5 semitones)
  • String 4 (F2) to String 3 (D3): Major 6th (up 9 semitones)
  • String 3 (D3) to String 2 (G3): Perfect 4th (up 5 semitones)
  • String 2 (G3) to String 1 (C4): Perfect 4th (up 5 semitones)
• This tuning is characterized by a prevalence of perfect fourths, making it highly consistent and intuitive for chord shapes once adapted. The notable exception is the F2 to D3 interval, a major 6th, which creates a significant harmonic leap and adds to its unique 'wide' character.
• Repeated notes in the open tuning include:
  • C (String 5 and String 1)
  • G (String 6 and String 2)
  These octaves across different registers contribute to a full, resonant sound.
• Open Chords and Harmonic Possibilities:
  • The open strings G-C-F-D-G-C contain the notes C, D, F, G. This creates a strong Cadd9sus4 or Gsus4add2/C quality, suggesting rich, extended harmonies with a distinctive open character.
  • A clear C Major triad (C-G-C) is present across strings 5, 2, and 1, offering a bright, foundational chord.
  • A G Major triad (G-D-G) is available across strings 6, 3, and 2, providing another strong harmonic center.
  • The deep G-C-F bass notes can easily form partial Cmaj7 (C-G-C, add E for full chord) or Fmaj7 voicings with minimal fingering, setting a strong harmonic foundation.
  • The consistent perfect fourth intervals between most strings mean that common movable chord shapes (like barre chords or triad shapes) will translate across groups of strings, albeit with the adjustment needed for the F2-D3 interval. This encourages experimentation with horizontal and vertical voicings.

How to Tune

This tuning requires significant adjustments from standard EADGBe tuning. Due to the large drops in pitch, especially on the lower strings, it is highly recommended to use heavier gauge strings to maintain proper tension and intonation. Proceed with caution and check your string tension regularly.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down from E2 to G1. This is a significant drop of 9 semitones. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised to prevent floppiness and ensure good tone.
• String 5 (A): Tune down from A2 to C2. This is a significant drop of 9 semitones. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 4 (D): Tune down from D3 to F2. This is a significant drop of 9 semitones. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
• String 3 (G): Tune down from G3 to D3. This is a drop of 5 semitones. A heavier gauge string is advised.
• String 2 (B): Tune down from B3 to G3. This is a drop of 4 semitones. A heavier gauge string is advised.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down from E4 to C4. This is a drop of 4 semitones. A heavier gauge string is advised.