The Double-G Sawmill tuning is a captivating and resonant open tuning, directly inspired by traditional old-time banjo tunings, specifically the 'sawmill' variant. It's cleverly adapted for the guitar, with a key modification: the lowest D string often found in banjo tunings is raised to a G. This ensures the tonic is always prominent, making it ideal for transposing and playing old-time banjo styles on the guitar. This tuning offers a unique blend of drone capabilities and modal flavor, perfect for folk, roots music, and creating a rich, sustain-heavy soundscape.

Technical Overview:

This tuning sets the guitar's open strings to G2 G2 D3 G3 C4 D4, from low to high. The repetition of Gs (G2, G2, G3) and Ds (D3, D4) establishes a powerful, ringing drone, characteristic of many folk instruments. The presence of C4 on the second string, rather than a B, immediately gives the open tuning a Gsus4 quality (G-C-D). This suspends the typical major or minor third, creating an open, somewhat ancient or modal sound, often associated with Mixolydian scales, a hallmark of 'sawmill' tunings. The low G2-G2 provides a deep, unison bass that adds significant body and resonance.

Open Chords and Playability:

With the open strings forming a Gsus4 chord, strumming all open strings yields this rich, suspended sound. To achieve a pure G Major chord, you would fret the 2nd string (C4) at the 1st fret to bring it up to a B3. This makes G Major chords very accessible with minimal effort. The drone strings (G and D) will remain consistent, allowing for melodic exploration over a stable harmonic base. Chords rooted around G will naturally be very comfortable. For example, a G Major chord (G-B-D) can be formed easily by fretting the 2nd string at the 1st fret (C to B). Other chords like C Major and D Major will require more specific fingerings, but the strong G and D drones will support them. This tuning encourages melodic lines and arpeggios that emphasize the G, C, and D notes, lending itself well to clawhammer-style playing or intricate fingerpicking patterns adapted from banjo techniques.

How to Tune Your Guitar to Double-G Sawmill:

Please approach tuning with care, especially when increasing string tension. Start from standard E Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and adjust each string as follows:

• 6th String (Low E): Tune up 3 semitones from E2 to G2. Please take care when tuning up 3 semitones, as this increases string tension.
• 5th String (A): Tune down 2 semitones from A2 to G2.
• 4th String (D): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Remains D3.
• 3rd String (G): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones). Remains G3.
• 2nd String (B): Tune up 1 semitone from B3 to C4.
• 1st String (High E): Tune down 2 semitones from E4 to D4.

String 6 (Low E converted to): G2 - The lowest string, now a deep G, forming the foundational root of the tuning.

String 5 (A converted to): G2 - Tuned to the same G as the 6th string, creating a powerful unison drone in the bass.

String 4 (D): D3 - Remains a D, providing the perfect fifth to the G root.

String 3 (G): G3 - Remains a G, reinforcing the tonic an octave higher than the lowest strings.

String 2 (B converted to): C4 - Tuned up to C, this string introduces the characteristic sus4 quality, defining the modal flavor.

String 1 (High E converted to): D4 - Tuned down to D, it completes the open Gsus4 chord with another fifth, offering a bright, high drone.