The orignal Yepes-inspired Ramirez tuning plan was C, Bb, Ab, Gb (7th to 10th). This would generate the overtones to compensate for weak resonances on some notes versus strong resonances on others. Play the "A" on the 4th string 7th fret, then the Ab at the 6th fret, and you can instantly hear the difference. Then, tune your 5th string to Ab, play the Ab on the 4th string, and then the A natural on the 7th fret. Now imagine having an open A _and_ an open Ab, and you can see what this was all about.

A common alternate tuning in use is the so-called "baroque" tuning: D, C, B, A (7th to 10th). This makes life easier when dealing with Bach and Weiss.

The tuning I *personally* preferred was yet another: D, B (a 4th below the 6th string E), then back UP in pitch to G and F(#). I found this extremely useful, although it made a mess of overtones!

As to strings, LaBella makes sets for 10 string in both the Yeps and Baroque tuning gauges.

Comments by David Norton - numa@aros.net in cguitar-digest Digest V99 #173