Verbal Analysis

The "Adams Tuning" is a deeply aggressive and resonant low tuning, perfectly tailored for modern down-tuned metal genres. Its sonic character is characterized by a thick, crushing low end and a unique, often dissonant, open string voicing that demands attention. This tuning eschews conventional open chords in favor of powerful, heavy riffs and intricate single-note lines, providing a canvas for dark, atmospheric, and highly impactful music. It encourages exploration of wide intervals and percussive playing styles typical of extreme metal.

Technical Analysis

This tuning sets the guitar strings to (from low to high): G1#, F2, A#3, D#4, G3, A#4. Compared to standard E-A-D-G-B-E tuning, all strings are significantly dropped, ranging from 4 to 6 semitones down, which necessitates the use of heavier gauge strings to maintain proper tension and intonation.

• The lowest string is tuned to G1#, offering an exceptionally deep and guttural foundation, a full 5 semitones below the standard low E.
• The open strings present a complex and often dissonant collection of notes (G#, F, A#, D#, G), rather than a simple major or minor chord, underscoring its suitability for riff-centric music.
• Despite the general dissonance, specific intervals can be exploited for powerful effects:
  • A notable G# power chord (G#5) can be achieved by playing the 6th string (G#1) and the 3rd string (D#4) together, provided the intervening strings are muted. This creates a powerful, wide-spanning voicing.
  • The 4th string (A#3) and 1st string (A#4) are tuned to octaves of A#, allowing for resonant drone effects and layered melodic voicings.
  • The pairing of G#1 (6th string) and G3 (2nd string) creates a dissonant minor 2nd interval across multiple octaves, contributing to the aggressive texture.
• The large drops in pitch across all strings mean that maintaining string tension for clarity and intonation will require a heavier gauge string set than standard.

How to Tune (from Standard E-A-D-G-B-E)

To achieve the Adams Tuning, you will need to adjust each string from its standard pitch as follows. Given the significant drops in pitch for all strings, it is highly recommended to use a heavier gauge string set to maintain optimal tension, clarity, and intonation, especially for the lower tunings.

• String 6 (Low E): Tune down 5 semitones to G1#. Recommendation: A heavier gauge string is strongly advised for this significant drop.
• String 5 (A): Tune down 4 semitones to F2. Recommendation: A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension.
• String 4 (D): Tune down 4 semitones to A#3. Recommendation: A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension.
• String 3 (G): Tune down 4 semitones to D#4. Recommendation: A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension.
• String 2 (B): Tune down 4 semitones to G3. Recommendation: A heavier gauge string is advised for optimal tension.
• String 1 (High E): Tune down 6 semitones to A#4. Recommendation: A heavier gauge string is strongly advised for this significant drop.