The 'Stacked Drop G' tuning is an absolutely massive 9-string arrangement, as named by the band, designed to deliver an unparalleled depth and power. It essentially builds upon a core 7-string Drop G foundation, then extends further into the sub-harmonic realm with two additional low strings. This creates a sonic landscape that is incredibly heavy and resonant, perfect for genres requiring a thunderous low-end presence, from modern metal to experimental soundscapes.

Technical Analysis

This tuning features the following open notes from lowest to highest: G0 D1 G1 D2 G2 C3 F3 A3 D4. The interval structure is highly distinctive. Starting from the lowest strings, we find a perfect fifth (G0-D1), followed by a perfect fourth (D1-G1), then another perfect fifth (G1-D2), and a perfect fourth (D2-G2). This alternating pattern of perfect fifths and fourths across the lowest five strings creates an incredibly deep and resonant foundation, making monumental power chords in G and D exceptionally easy to form by simply barring a single fret. The higher strings continue with perfect fourths (G2-C3, C3-F3), then introduce a major third (F3-A3), and conclude with another perfect fourth (A3-D4). This combination of predominantly perfect intervals with a single major third provides a versatile harmonic palette, allowing for both crushing low-end power and more complex, suspended, or minor 7th/9th voicings in the higher register.

Open Chords and Voicings

Due to the strategic stacking of notes, several powerful open chords and easily reachable voicings emerge:

• G5 Power Chords: The presence of G0, G1, and G2 makes a monumental G5 power chord effortless. Simply strumming the lowest three G strings (9, 7, 5) or even adding the D strings (8, 6) for a thicker sound will yield an immense G power chord that is foundational to this tuning's heavy character.
• D5 Power Chords: Similarly, the D1, D2, and D4 notes allow for powerful D5 chords. The repeated D notes across different octaves provide depth and resonance.
• Movable Power Chords: The extensive perfect intervals across the lower five strings (G0 D1 G1 D2 G2) mean that barring a single finger across these strings (e.g., at the 3rd fret for A5, 5th fret for B5) will produce colossal movable power chords, making rhythm playing incredibly efficient and impactful.
• Gsus4/G9 Voicings: The combination of G2, C3, F3, A3, and D4 on the higher strings lends itself to rich Gsus4 (G-C-D) or Gsus4(add9)/Gmin7(add9) type chords (G-C-F-A-D). These voicings offer harmonic sophistication, providing contrast to the raw power of the lower register.

How to Tune

To achieve the 'Stacked Drop G' tuning from a standard 9-string setup, carefully adjust each string as follows:

1. String 9 (G0): Tune down 6 semitones. Note: This is a significant drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension and tone.
2. String 8 (D1): Tune down 4 semitones. Note: This is a substantial drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
3. String 7 (G1): Tune down 4 semitones. Note: This is a substantial drop. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised.
4. String 6 (D2): Tune down 2 semitones.
5. String 5 (G2): Tune down 2 semitones.
6. String 4 (C3): Tune down 2 semitones.
7. String 3 (F3): Tune down 2 semitones.
8. String 2 (A3): Tune down 2 semitones.
9. String 1 (D4): Tune down 2 semitones.

This 9-string tuning features the following notes from the lowest string (String 9) to the highest string (String 1):

• String 9: G0
• String 8: D1
• String 7: G1
• String 6: D2
• String 5: G2
• String 4: C3
• String 3: F3
• String 2: A3
• String 1: D4