The "Lake Monsters" tuning is an imaginative and deeply resonant custom tuning for the guitar, specifically designed to evoke a unique sonic landscape. True to its name, it offers a rich, somewhat mysterious character, built around a powerful Gsus4 chord in its open state. This tuning moves far from standard, offering a fresh palette for creative expression, particularly suited for atmospheric or heavy textures.

Technical Analysis

This tuning fundamentally establishes an open Gsus4 chord (G-C-D) across the strings: G2-C3-G2-C3-D4-G4, from the lowest to the highest string. The most striking feature is the repetition of the G-C interval on the lower four strings (G2-C3-G2-C3). This creates a very dense and resonant low end, almost like a dual drone, allowing for powerful open string voicings and a solid harmonic foundation. The upper two strings (D4-G4) complete the Gsus4 chord, adding brightness and extending the harmonic series.

The intervals between adjacent strings are particularly interesting:

• 6th (G2) to 5th (C3): Perfect Fourth (up)
• 5th (C3) to 4th (G2): Perfect Fifth (down)
• 4th (G2) to 3rd (C3): Perfect Fourth (up)
• 3rd (C3) to 2nd (D4): Major Ninth (up)
• 2nd (D4) to 1st (G4): Perfect Fourth (up)

Open Chords and Reachable Shapes

The open strings themselves form a compelling Gsus4 chord, ready for immediate use. This provides a natural, full-bodied drone or starting point for melodies.

• Open Gsus4: The entire open tuning is Gsus4 (G-C-G-C-D-G). This is your primary open chord.
• Barred Sus4 Chords: By simply barring all strings at any fret, you can easily create other suspended 4th chords. For example, barring at the 2nd fret would yield an Asus4 chord, and at the 5th fret, a Dsus4 chord.
• Open Fifth/Octave Voicings: Due to the many G and C notes, simple two-finger or three-finger shapes can easily pull out strong fifths and octaves. For example, playing just the 6th, 4th, and 1st strings will give you a very strong G octave.
• Melodic Potential: The open fourths and the wide jump on the upper strings lend themselves well to melodic lines with open string drones, particularly in a modal context around G or C.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Lake Monsters" tuning from standard EADGBe, carefully adjust each string as follows. Please note the significant changes, and consider using a heavier gauge string set if you plan to keep the guitar in this tuning for extended periods, especially for the strings tuned down by 7 semitones.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 3 semitones (from E to G2). This is a moderate tension increase.
• 5th String (A): Tune up 3 semitones (from A to C3). This is a moderate tension increase.
• 4th String (D): Tune down 7 semitones (from D to G2). This is a significant drop in tension; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal playability and tone.
• 3rd String (G): Tune down 7 semitones (from G to C3). This is a significant drop in tension; a heavier gauge string is advised for optimal playability and tone.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 3 semitones (from B to D4). This is a moderate tension increase.
• 1st String (High E): Tune up 3 semitones (from E to G4). This is a moderate tension increase.

For string movements exceeding 4 semitones (either up or down), it is generally recommended to use a different gauge string to ensure proper intonation, tension, and string longevity. The 4th and 3rd strings are particularly affected here. Always tune slowly and carefully.

The notes for the "Lake Monsters" tuning, from lowest (6th) to highest (1st) string, are:

• 6th String: G2
• 5th String: C3
• 4th String: G2
• 3rd String: C3
• 2nd String: D4
• 1st String: G4