This is a rich and resonant open tuning designed for a 7-string guitar, offering a deep and full harmonic foundation. The tuning is officially named "Open G#6 Tuning," though a closer look at its intervals reveals a more complex sound, akin to an Ab6/9 (Ab, C, Eb, F, Bb) chord, providing an expansive harmonic palette beyond a simple sixth. This makes it particularly suitable for genres like jazz, blues, funk, or any style that benefits from sophisticated open voicings and lush sustain.

Technical Analysis

The open strings of this tuning lay out the notes G#2, G#3, C3, G#3, D#4, A#4, and F4, from the thickest (7th) to the thinnest (1st) string. When reordered and considering enharmonic equivalents for clarity (Ab, C, Eb, F, Bb), the unique pitches present are Ab (root), C (Major 3rd), Eb (Perfect 5th), F (Major 6th), and Bb (Major 9th). This creates a full Ab6/9 chord, making the entire instrument an open Ab6/9 voicing.

The presence of octave doubling on the G# strings (7th, 6th, and 4th) adds to the fullness and sustain, while the C3 on the 5th string provides a strong third, giving the chord its major quality. The D# (Eb) on the 3rd string provides the perfect fifth, the F on the 1st string adds the major sixth, and the A# (Bb) on the 2nd string introduces the major ninth, creating a sophisticated and open-ended harmony.

Chords and Playability

This open tuning is excellent for slide guitar, as a single bar across any fret will instantly yield a new 6/9 chord (e.g., barring the 1st fret gives you A6/9, 2nd fret gives B6/9). It provides a strong basis for melodic playing over sustained drones. While perfect for major 6/9 sonorities, playing minor chords or other complex harmonies may require more intricate fingerings or reliance on specific inversions due to the fixed open chord. However, its unique spread allows for interesting arpeggios and voicings that would be challenging in standard tuning. The inclusion of the low G# (Ab) on the 7th string provides a deep foundation, making it well-suited for heavy riffs or atmospheric textures.

How to Tune to Open G#6

Achieving this open tuning involves significant adjustments for several strings. Please exercise caution, especially for strings with large pitch changes, as exceeding four semitones up or down often indicates that a different string gauge might be more appropriate for string longevity and tension balance.

• 7th String (G2#): Tune down 3 semitones.
• 6th String (G3#): Tune up 4 semitones. Caution: Tuning up 4 semitones is a significant change; consider a lighter gauge string if this is a permanent tuning.
• 5th String (C3): Tune up 3 semitones.
• 4th String (G3#): Tune down 6 semitones. Caution: Tuning down 6 semitones is a very significant change; consider a heavier gauge string to maintain tension and playability.
• 3rd String (D4#): Tune down 4 semitones. Caution: Tuning down 4 semitones is a significant change; consider a heavier gauge string to maintain tension and playability.
• 2nd String (A4#): Tune down 1 semitone.
• 1st String (F4): Tune up 1 semitone.