How common is BEAD?

[narcdor]

I’ve been binge watching Anderson Paak, and it just clicked the bass player is playing waaaay too low for a standard four string. I’ve checked out a few live shows and he’s not using an octaver, after thinking wow that octaver tracks real nice... duh.

This guy seems to play way up the neck more which should be easier as the fret spacing is closer, but he does kick it super low a couple of tunes, so I guess it’s practical for that gig.

Anyway how many people are using BEAD tuning? And which styles? Kinda makes sense for a soul type gig, super low.

[Veldar]

I think Jeff Caxide did in Isis, I'm not too familiar with it being used outside of metal/hardcore stuff.

[irvinz]

thats a cool set!

[raybass]

.

[raybass]

I used to have one bass tuned that way, for general covers.

I just can't do 5 strings so it was a good solution.

Billy Sheehan and Tim Commerford have been known to use it.

[cleary]

I’ve been binge watching Anderson Paak, and it just clicked the bass player is playing waaaay too low for a standard four string. I’ve checked out a few live shows and he’s not using an octaver, after thinking wow that octaver tracks real nice... duh.

This guy seems to play way up the neck more which should be easier as the fret spacing is closer, but he does kick it super low a couple of tunes, so I guess it’s practical for that gig.

Anyway how many people are using BEAD tuning? And which styles? Kinda makes sense for a soul type gig, super low.

LOL I came in here to mention the free nationals and post that same video. It's a cracker

[MrMow]

I did for 3 years.. no problem at all, honestly the low string would get used for the odd low B or D and the rest of the time it was a thumb rest. I rarely use the higher register stuff anyway so I didn't miss anything.

I also found all the basses I dropped to BEAD had a better low B than any 5 strings I tried.

[narcdor]

Hmm, interesting, perhaps I shall try it with the random set of fiver strings I have hanging around... I’ve always had trouble with the G sounding as full as the others so pushing it up five frets and down a string will help. Then again I’ve also had issues with the thickness and definition of a low B, except on a stingray. See how it goes I guess!

[slowlearner]

That set be supa phat! (although I could without calling ladies 'bitches').

Regarding the OP question... I've only ever come across BEAD tuning on this forum and TB. Never actually met a guy on a gig who plays with that tuning. I can see the attraction, but I gotta say... I think it would be confusing to me. Sure 6 string can be confusing when you first play, but changing all the tunings around on a 4 string would do my head in. I tried ADGC once and didn't like that either. Rather have the 5th thumbrest if I want a B.

[narcdor]

That set be supa phat! (although I could without calling ladies 'bitches').
...
Rather have the 5th thumbrest if I want a B.

Yeah I agree on the first point, though it seems he's not so comfortable with that song anymore as it came with a warning after being requested.

I kinda miss my fiver just for that, never played the string (maybe one song ever), but was more comfortable than hooking into the pickup cover as I could move it closer to bridge or neck depending. Bit of a waste of fretboard space just for that.

So yeah it's not so much about the low extended range for me but fattening up the notes I normally play on a G, without losing the ability to drop to the B when I would normally hit the E so the shapes and patterns remain the same. Except open strings.

A worthy experiment anyway. I can always go back to standard, I ain't cuttin' no nut, ain't nobody got time for that!

[slowlearner]

I ain't cuttin' no nut, ain't nobody got time for that!

Amen brother! Hate that!

[maxgroover]

I ain't cuttin' no nut, ain't nobody got time for that!

Amen brother! Hate that!

But you do have to widen the string slots don't you to accommodate a thicker B string in the E string slot, and so forth? I had to do this on one of my basses when I switched to Labella Tapewounds.

[slowlearner]

Yep, and tapewounds are slightly bigger than normal strings. Ask me how I know that? Nope, don't ask.

[narcdor]

Perhaps, I might just jam them in there while I mess around. I have the nut on my P cut for 110 E and the five string set is a 120 I think so it might fit.

Sanding bone nuts smells bad.

[slave]

I ain't cuttin' no nut, ain't nobody got time for that!

Amen brother! Hate that!

Yeah I've done it to a few basses.

I've run BEAD or C-F-A#-D# since the late 90's on at least 1 bass I own, currently 2.
I've learned a few things.
Filing the nut is only one thing - some basses will require you to drill the bridge to allow a larger string too.
I like a .136 B-string.
Secondly, for normal EADG work, you will always have that lower string (read: more oomph) when you need it. Great for heavy music, great with tube amps too as the B-string does make the tubers break up a bit more.