Tuning in 7ths?

[AcousticMinja]

Hey guys, sorry if I posted this in the wrong section...

Anyway, my friend and I were talking about using some interesting tunings today and we're looking to try something weird.

I already play in Fifths (from A# and isn't that weird)

But is it possible to play in a 7ths tuning? Possibly starting from a low F#?

Pardon my terrible theory but would that be something like...

(low to high)
F#0 - G#1 - A#2 - C2?

Maybe I'm getting the octaves wrong...

Also, what tuning would this be?
(low to high)
F#0 - A#1 - D2 - F#2?

Anyone try this? Or is it even possible?

 

[Jazz Ad]

Any tuning is possible.
Now, playing in 5ths is already painful sometimes, good luck running up a scale in 7ths.
There is another slight practical problem with this. Tuning in 4ths and 5ths is good because they're independant of the key. The 5th and 4th are usable in any key. The 7th is different but it's a minor issue really. Now playing even double stops with such a tuning will be very difficult.

 

[Rune Bivrin]

If I'm not completely confused (it's been known to happen), what you've outlined is tuning in 9ths. Tuning in [minor]7ths from from F# would be
F#0 - E1 - D2 - C3

The second example is tuning in major thirds. Try it, it could be fun, and mess with your head in a creative way.

 

[AcousticMinja]

Thanks for the correction there! Sorry about that. I knew something seemed a bit off..

So

F#0 - G#1 - A#2 - C2 - 9ths

F#0 - A#1 - D2 - F#2 - Major 3rds

F#0 - E1 - D2 - C3 - Minor 7ths?

I shall definitely try these out. Could be interesting...I like the 9ths idea.
Full on min 7ths would definitely give a weird tonal range, too.

 

[Audiophage]

Tuning in minor 7ths would be a lot like tuning in 4ths but skipping every other string.

 

[FretlessMainly]

As Jazz Ad said, any tuning is possible, but there are practical limitations to doing it. First, by tuning in larger intervals, you are increasing the number of position shifts you have to make because you'll need to spend more time on one string rather than string-crossing. Of course, the benefit is increased range of your instrument.

There's also the matter of finding strings to accomodate your various tunings.