The "Endless Nameless Bass tuning" is a distinctive and highly unconventional tuning for the Bass Electric, famously associated with Nirvana's hidden track on the "Nevermind" album. This tuning deviates significantly from standard bass configurations, creating a sonic landscape that is raw, dissonant, and impactful, perfectly suiting the song's experimental and intense nature.

Technical Analysis

This tuning consists of the notes B1-G3#-C4#-F4# (from lowest to highest string).

• The interval from the lowest string (B1) to the second lowest (G3#) is a massive Major 13th (20 semitones). This creates a vast open space and a very deep, resonant low end that is quite detached from the higher strings.
• The top three strings (G3#, C4#, F4#) form a stack of Perfect 4ths (5 semitones each). This configuration is reminiscent of standard bass or guitar tuning in fourths, providing a familiar and musically useful relationship between these higher strings.
• While not designed for traditional open chords, the combination of G3#, C4#, and F4# on the upper strings offers harmonic possibilities such as a G#sus4 chord structure or components of a C# minor 7th. The inclusion of the B1 string, however, transforms the overall open sound into a unique, powerful, and often dissonant cluster. For example, B1 with G3#, C4#, F4# could be perceived as a B6sus2 chord or a G# minor chord with an added 4th and a low B pedal tone, creating a complex and haunting tonality.

How to Tune

Achieving this specific tuning requires careful adjustment of your bass strings from standard EADG tuning. It's important to use an accurate tuner and proceed with caution for significant changes.

• String 4 (Lowest String, typically E): Tune down 5 semitones to B1. This is a substantial drop in pitch. If using a standard gauge E string, it may become very slack, affecting tone and intonation. A heavier gauge string is strongly advised for optimal performance and string longevity when tuning down this much.
• String 3 (Typically A): Tune down 1 semitone to G3#. This is a minor adjustment and should pose no issue for a standard gauge A string.
• String 2 (Typically D): Tune down 1 semitone to C4#. This is a minor adjustment and should pose no issue for a standard gauge D string.
• String 1 (Highest String, typically G): Tune down 1 semitone to F4#. This is a minor adjustment and should pose no issue for a standard gauge G string.

String 4 (Lowest String): B1

String 3: G3#

String 2: C4#

String 1 (Highest String): F4#