Tuning Analysis: Double Drop G

The 'Double Drop G' tuning is a formidable and deeply resonant setup specifically tailored for 7-string guitars. It's engineered to deliver an immense low-end presence and is particularly effective in the key of G. This tuning dramatically alters the lowest two strings, creating a powerful foundation, while preserving the familiar Standard EADGBE arrangement on the higher four strings, offering a unique blend of heavy riffing capabilities and conventional chord voicings.

As the name suggests and the original description hints, this tuning 'drops' the low B string significantly down to G, and the adjacent E string down to D. This specific configuration places the lowest two strings (G1 and D2) a perfect fifth apart, creating a strong harmonic anchor.

Technical Breakdown:

The full tuning from lowest to highest string is G1-D2-A2-D3-G3-B3-E4. Let's explore the harmonic relationships within this structure:

• The lowest two strings (G1, D2) establish a powerful G5 power chord, ready for heavy, droning riffs.
• The string set G1-D2-A2-D3-G3 forms a rich G-based voicing that includes the 2nd (A), providing a complex yet harmonically pleasing resonance.
• When all open strings (G1 D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4) are strummed, they collectively outline a vibrant G Major 6/9 chord (containing G, B, D, E, A notes). This makes the tuning incredibly resonant and harmonically full, perfect for open, ringing passages.
• The D3-G3-B3-E4 string set maintains the exact intervals of standard tuning (DGBE). This crucial feature allows guitarists to utilize familiar chord shapes, scales, and lead patterns on these upper strings without having to re-learn their fingerboard.

Musical Applications & Open Chords:

This tuning is exceptionally well-suited for genres that demand a thick, driving low end and expansive harmonic textures, such as metal, hard rock, progressive music, and even ambient soundscapes. With the open strings, you gain immediate access to:

• A full and deeply resonant Open G Major 6/9 chord by simply strumming all strings.
• Effortless G5 power chords using the lowest strings (e.g., String 7 & 6, or String 7, 6 & 4).
• Convenient D5 power chords across strings 6-4 (D2-A2-D3), which can also be easily shifted up the neck for other power chords.
• The combination of a very low G and the standard upper strings makes this tuning incredibly versatile, allowing for both crushing, low-frequency riffing and intricate, melodic passages. Its strong tonal center in G provides an excellent framework for writing music in G Major or related minor keys.

How to Tune:

To achieve the 'Double Drop G' tuning from a standard 7-string (B-E-A-D-G-B-E) setup, carefully follow these string movements:

• String 7 (lowest string): Tune down 4 semitones to G1. (Caution: This is a significant drop. If your guitar is not typically set up for such low tunings, or you experience excessive slack, consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal tension, intonation, and tone, especially if playing aggressively.)
• String 6: Tune down 2 semitones to D2.
• String 5: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to A2.
• String 4: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to D3.
• String 3: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to G3.
• String 2: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
• String 1 (highest string): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

Here are the specific notes for each string in the 'Double Drop G' tuning, from the lowest (String 7) to the highest (String 1):

• String 7: G1
• String 6: D2
• String 5: A2
• String 4: D3
• String 3: G3
• String 2: B3
• String 1: E4