Tuning Analysis: Drop B + Low G#

This is a highly distinctive and experimental alternate tuning designed for a 7-string guitar, leveraging the extended range for exceptionally deep and complex soundscapes. As stated in its description, "This tuning is an alternate tuning. It's Drop B + Low G#. This tuning requires a 7 String to work." While named "Drop B + Low G#," its structure deviates significantly from conventional 'drop' tunings, offering a truly unique sonic palette.

Technical Analysis

The open string notes are G♯2, B1, F♯3, B2, E3, G♯4, C♯5, arranged from the thickest (7th) to the thinnest (1st) string. A striking and highly unusual feature of this tuning is its re-entrant nature: the 6th string (B1) is pitched lower than the 7th string (G♯2). This means the lowest note on the guitar is found on the 6th string, rather than the expected 7th string.

The intervals between adjacent strings are exceptionally wide and varied, creating a challenging but rewarding landscape for exploration:

• String 7 (G♯2) to String 6 (B1): A minor third down an octave.
• String 6 (B1) to String 5 (F♯3): A substantial jump of an octave and a tritone (18 semitones) upwards.
• String 5 (F♯3) to String 4 (B2): A perfect fifth down.
• String 4 (B2) to String 3 (E3): A perfect fourth up.
• String 3 (E3) to String 2 (G♯4): An octave and a major third up.
• String 2 (G♯4) to String 1 (C♯5): A perfect fourth up.

This unusual arrangement means that while the tuning provides an extremely deep low end, it is not simply a uniform drop. The presence of multiple B notes (B1, B2) and G♯ notes (G♯2, G♯4) provides harmonic anchors. When strummed open, the combination of C♯5, E3, G♯2, and G♯4 strongly implies a C♯ minor tonality, making open C♯ minor chords readily available and resonant.

Playing Potential & Sonic Character

This tuning is tailor-made for exploration into very heavy, progressive, and experimental genres. The extreme low end provided by B1, combined with the G♯2 on the 7th string, can produce incredibly thick and resonant power chords and riffage, ideal for progressive metal, djent, and ambient soundscapes where conventional harmony is secondary to texture and impact. The re-entrant nature and wide intervals will necessitate unique fingerings for chords and scales, encouraging a highly individual and creative approach to the fretboard.

Care should be taken with string gauges to ensure proper tension and intonation across such a disparate range of pitches. The significant drops on most strings, particularly the 6th string's -5 semitone change, will almost certainly require heavier gauges than standard for optimal performance and to prevent undesirable string floppiness.

Open String Notes

Here are the notes for each string, from the lowest (7th) to the highest (1st) on your 7-string guitar:

• String 7: G♯2
• String 6: B1
• String 5: F♯3
• String 4: B2
• String 3: E3
• String 2: G♯4
• String 1: C♯5

How to Tune Your Guitar

To achieve the Drop B + Low G# tuning, adjust your 7-string guitar strings as follows. Please note that "semitones" refer to half-steps on the fretboard. Negative values indicate tuning down from a typical standard tuning setup.

• String 7: Tune down 3 semitones to G♯2.
• String 6: Tune down 5 semitones to B1. Caution: Tuning down 5 semitones (more than 4 semitones) is a significant change; a different gauge string is strongly advised for optimal tension, intonation, and to prevent excessive floppiness.
• String 5: Tune down 3 semitones to F♯3.
• String 4: Tune down 3 semitones to B2.
• String 3: Tune down 3 semitones to E3.
• String 2: Tune down 3 semitones to G♯4.
• String 1: Tune down 3 semitones to C♯5.