Most death metal is typically tuned to very low tunings, with B Standard and A Standard being common choices among guitarists in the genre.
The Low End of the Spectrum
Death metal, alongside doom metal, is characterized by its heavy, often guttural sound, which is greatly influenced by downtuned guitars. While many genres use standard E tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e), death metal bands push the boundaries much lower to achieve a thicker, more brutal sonic landscape.
- B Standard: Tuned down a perfect fourth from E Standard, B Standard (B-E-A-D-F#-b) is a prevalent tuning, offering a deep resonance without becoming overly sludgy.
- A Standard: Going even lower, A Standard (A-D-G-C-E-a) provides an exceptionally heavy sound, often used for extreme low-end riffs.
Other even lower tunings or drop tunings (where the lowest string is dropped an additional step) can also be utilized, depending on the band's specific sound and intensity goals.
Why Go So Low?
The primary reasons for death metal's preference for low tunings include:
- Heavier Sound: Lower pitches create a much darker, heavier, and more aggressive tone, which is a hallmark of death metal.
- Vocal Complement: These low tunings perfectly complement the deep growls and guttural vocals often found in the genre, creating a cohesive extreme sound.
- Enhanced Riffing: Downtuning allows for more crushing power chords and a distinct "chug" sound that is essential to death metal riffing.
Equipment Considerations for Low Tunings
Achieving clarity and proper intonation with such low tunings requires specific adjustments to guitar setups.
| Tuning | Typical String Gauge Recommendation | Setup Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| E Standard | .010 - .046 | Standard neck relief and intonation |
| B Standard | .013 - .056 (or higher) | Increased string gauge, neck adjustment, intonation fix |
| A Standard | .014 - .068 (or higher) | Very heavy string gauge, significant setup adjustments |
When tuning a guitar down by a whole step or more, a heavier string gauge is essential. For instance, if a guitarist typically uses .010 gauge strings for E Standard, they would need to switch to .013 gauge strings or heavier for B Standard to maintain proper string tension and avoid fret buzz or a muddy tone. Furthermore, the guitar itself needs to be professionally set up to accommodate the change in string tension and intonation, ensuring the instrument plays optimally and stays in tune.
