Downtuning - bass too?

[Oancient1]

A question for anyone who downtunes for one reason or another. In instances where a guitar player in a band downtunes, say a full step, is it typical for the bassist to play downtuned as well? If so, are a different (thicker?) gauge of strings needed to make it work?

 

[Rokket]

IMHO, It's not really necessary. Sometimes the difference is minimal where the bass freqs are concerned. And if you are playing with a bassist who plays a 5 or 6 string, the top string is usually tuned to low B anyhow, giving you the lower tuning.

I have messed with the tuning on my bass a few times, lowering to A or up to C, and I've D-tuned my 4 string a couple times, just to see what would happen. Usually it only makes the top string a bit too loose.

And FWIW, sometimes tuning the bass down drowns it out in a mix, and live you feel it more than hear it.

YMMV...