This is the "Drop Ab Variation" tuning, famously utilized by the UK band Loathe to craft their distinctive heavy sound. This is an extremely low and unconventional tuning, designed for massive sonic impact and a dark, brooding atmosphere.

Verbal Analysis

The "Drop Ab Variation" is a prime example of an ultra-low tuning pushing the boundaries of standard guitar setup. Its deep range, starting at G2#, immediately suggests a focus on heavy riffs, breakdowns, and dense chord voicings that resonate with immense power. The open string configuration creates a complex, suspended tonality rather than a simple major or minor chord, hinting at a preference for dissonant textures and powerful, open-string drone notes. It's ideal for genres like djent, metalcore, and progressive metal where detuned guitars are a cornerstone of the sound. The wide intervallic jumps between certain strings, particularly the Perfect 5th between the 5th and 4th string, will require some adaptation for players accustomed to standard 4ths.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets the guitar strings to G2#-C3#-G3#-C4#-F4#-A4#, from the lowest to the highest string. While its name implies a "drop" structure, the intervallic relationships between the open strings are quite unique:

• String 6 (G2#) to String 5 (C3#): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• String 5 (C3#) to String 4 (G3#): Perfect 5th (7 semitones)
• String 4 (G3#) to String 3 (C4#): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• String 3 (C4#) to String 2 (F4#): Perfect 4th (5 semitones)
• String 2 (F4#) to String 1 (A4#): Major 3rd (4 semitones)

The open strings combine to create a complex chord voicing, best described as a G#sus4(add9, ♭7) or C#sus2/G#. This blend of G#s, C#s, F#s, and A#s across octaves provides a rich, dark harmonic foundation. The repetition of G# and C# across multiple strings facilitates incredibly powerful and resonant power chords when strumming open strings, making the tuning highly effective for heavy, chugging riffs.

Open String Chords & Accessible Voicings

• Massive Power Chords: The open G2#, C3#, G3#, C4# can be leveraged to create monumental G# and C# power chords with incredible depth and sustain, often by simply strumming the lower strings open.
• Heavy Suspended Voicings: Strumming all open strings yields a complex, suspended sound, rich with tension and suitable for atmospheric passages or heavy, ringing chords.
• Single-Finger Power Chords: The Perfect 4th intervals on strings 6-5, 4-3, and 3-2 allow for easy barring to create power chords across multiple strings (e.g., barring the first fret across strings 6, 5, 4, 3, 2).
• Unique Riffing Potential: The combination of Perfect 4ths, a Perfect 5th, and a Major 3rd offers distinct fretboard shapes for creating intricate, low-end riffs that are not possible in standard tunings.

How to Tune

Crucial Note: All strings in this tuning are significantly lowered. For optimal tone and playability, and to prevent potential string breakage or intonation issues, it is highly recommended to use a heavier gauge set of guitar strings when setting up your guitar for the "Drop Ab Variation" tuning. Moving strings more than 4 semitones up or down often requires a change in string gauge.

Here’s how to set up your guitar for this deep tuning:

• String 6 (Low E string): Tune down 8 semitones from E2 to G2#.
• String 5 (A string): Tune down 8 semitones from A2 to C3#.
• String 4 (D string): Tune down 6 semitones from D3 to G3#.
• String 3 (G string): Tune down 6 semitones from G3 to C4#.
• String 2 (B string): Tune down 5 semitones from B3 to F4#.
• String 1 (High e string): Tune down 6 semitones from E4 to A4#.

String 6 (Low E string): G2#

String 5 (A string): C3#

String 4 (D string): G3#

String 3 (G string): C4#

String 2 (B string): F4#

String 1 (High e string): A4#