The "Nuke" tuning for a 7-string guitar lives up to its name, delivering a powerful and unconventional soundscape. It's designed for players seeking to push the boundaries of guitar tonality, offering a deeply resonant low end combined with strikingly dissonant or complex harmonic possibilities. This is not a tuning for easy, standard chord shapes, but rather for crafting unique riffs, atmospheric textures, and intricate melodic lines that leverage its distinct, non-linear string progression. Expect a dark, heavy, and potentially unsettling sonic character, perfect for metal, industrial, or experimental genres.

Technical Analysis

This 7-string tuning features the following open notes from lowest to highest string: G1, D#3, G2, C3, F3, A3, D4.

The most immediately apparent technical observation is the highly unusual, non-monotonic pitch progression between strings 6 and 5. String 6 (D#3) is pitched significantly higher than both String 5 (G2) and String 4 (C3). This creates a unique voicing opportunity, allowing the high D#3 to ring out above lower register notes.

Looking at the intervals (from low string to high string):

• String 7 (G1) to String 6 (D#3): A large, two-octave-plus interval, creating a significant jump in pitch.
• String 6 (D#3) to String 5 (G2): A dramatic drop in pitch (equivalent to a perfect fourth plus an octave down from D#3 to G2), highlighting the non-linear nature.
• String 5 (G2) to String 4 (C3): Perfect Fourth (+5 semitones).
• String 4 (C3) to String 3 (F3): Perfect Fourth (+5 semitones).
• String 3 (F3) to String 2 (A3): Major Third (+4 semitones).
• String 2 (A3) to String 1 (D4): Perfect Fourth (+5 semitones).

The cluster of Perfect Fourths (G2-C3-F3 and A3-D4) mixed with a Major Third (F3-A3) offers some flexible chordal and melodic possibilities, but the D#3 remains the most distinctive feature, adding a minor or augmented flavour depending on its usage.

Chords & Playing Impressions

Due to the non-linear string order (String 6 being higher than String 5 and String 4), traditional open chords are not readily available in their standard forms. However, this tuning excels in offering unique harmonic landscapes:

• G Minor / Dark Tonality: The pairing of G1 (String 7), G2 (String 5), and D#3 (String 6, interpreting D# as Eb) strongly hints at a G minor tonality (G-Eb-G). This provides a rich, dark foundation.
• Power Chords: The consecutive perfect fourths on String 5-String 4 (G2-C3), String 4-String 3 (C3-F3), and String 2-String 1 (A3-D4) allow for easy barring to create inverted power chords or suspended voicings.
• Drones and Riffs: The low G1 provides an excellent pedal tone for heavy, sustained riffs. The unusual D#3 can be used to create jarring dissonances against the G, C, or F notes, or harmonized carefully for unexpected resolutions.
• Arpeggios: Players can craft intricate arpeggios that jump across the non-linear string order, creating wide, cascading sounds.

How to Tune

Tuning this 7-string guitar to "Nuke" requires careful adjustment from your current setup. Pay close attention to the specified semitone movements:

• String 7 (G1): Tune down 4 semitones. Note: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant drop. If your current string gauge feels too slack or buzzes excessively, consider using a heavier gauge string for optimal tension and tone.
• String 6 (D#3): Tune down 1 semitone.
• String 5 (G2): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 4 (C3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 3 (F3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 2 (A3): Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 1 (D4): Tune down 2 semitones.

String 7: G1 - The lowest string provides a deep, resonant G note.

String 6: D#3 - This string is tuned to D sharp in the third octave, creating a high, prominent voice, unusually higher than the adjacent lower strings.

String 5: G2 - An octave higher than the lowest string, reinforcing the G fundamental.

String 4: C3 - A perfect fourth above String 5, introducing a C note in the third octave.

String 3: F3 - A perfect fourth above String 4, adding an F note.

String 2: A3 - A major third above String 3, providing an A note.

String 1: D4 - The highest string, tuned to D in the fourth octave, a perfect fourth above String 2.