Downtuning - bass too?

O

Oancient1

New member
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?
 
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...
 
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