Verbal Analysis: The River's Deep Pulse

This tuning, named after Wage War's track "The River," plunges into an exceptionally low and heavy sonic landscape. While originally conceived for a 6-string guitar, it's presented here in a 9-string format to accommodate the extreme low notes required. The core of this sound is its immense depth, starting at a staggering G0 on the lowest string. This is a tuning designed not for traditional melodies or open chords, but for earth-shattering power, percussive chugs, and a dense, impactful wall of sound characteristic of modern metal and djent genres. The mention of "GFA" in the original description likely refers to the lowest notes (G0, F1, A2#), forming a dark, guttural foundation that hints at dissonance and raw power. Expect to find yourself crafting monstrous riffs and open string drones rather than strumming familiar chord voicings. The overall feel is one of controlled chaos and overwhelming sonic weight, providing a massive canvas for aggressive rhythm work.

Technical Analysis: A 9-String Drop into the Abyss

This tuning for a Guitar, officially titled Wage War The River in its source, utilizes a 9-string configuration to achieve notes well below the standard range of even an extended-range guitar. As per the tuning description, the actual song may use a 6-string tuned to the notes found on the 4th through 9th strings of this system (from the lowest string up), meaning the effective 6-string tuning would be G0, F1, A2#, D3#, G2, C3.

The full 9-string open notes from lowest to highest are:

• String 9: G0
• String 8: F1
• String 7: A2#
• String 6: D3#
• String 5: G2
• String 4: C3
• String 3: F3
• String 2: A4#
• String 1: D4

Analyzing the intervals, this tuning is far from conventional. The widest interval is between the first two strings (G0 and F1), a Minor 7th. Other notable intervals include an Augmented 3rd (F1-A2#), a Tritone (A2#-D3#), and Perfect 4ths (G2-C3, F3-A4# enharmonically F3-Bb4). The presence of G0, F1, and A2# (G, F, A#) creates a heavily dissonant and thick low-end cluster. The notes G2, C3, F3 (G, C, F) on strings 5, 4, and 3 suggest a Gsus4 chord or a C chord with an added F, providing a powerful, ambiguous harmonic base often favored in heavy music. While not designed for open major/minor chords, the ability to play octaves (G0 and G2, F1 and F3, A2# and A4#) across different strings, alongside readily available power chord shapes (e.g., barring G2 and C3 for a C5 power chord if the C is fretted), makes it highly effective for creating incredibly massive and resonant riffs. The tuning movements are entirely downwards, with a significant -6 semitone drop on the lowest string, pushing the boundaries of string tension and gauge requirements.

How to Tune: Wage War's G0 Abyssal Drop

Achieving this deep and powerful tuning requires careful adjustment, with all strings being tuned downwards from their standard positions. Pay close attention to the number of semitones for each string.

• String 9 (Lowest): Tune to G0. This string requires a substantial adjustment: Tune down 6 semitones. Given this significant drop (exceeding 4 semitones), a different, heavier gauge string is strongly advised to maintain proper tension and intonation.
• String 8: Tune to F1. Tune down 1 semitones.
• String 7: Tune to A2#. Tune down 1 semitones.
• String 6: Tune to D3#. Tune down 1 semitones.
• String 5: Tune to G2. Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 4: Tune to C3. Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 3: Tune to F3. Tune down 2 semitones.
• String 2: Tune to A4#. Tune down 1 semitones.
• String 1 (Highest): Tune to D4. Tune down 2 semitones.