String gauge for low tuned bass

[elkcereal]

I play an 80's japanese squier p-bass, always tuned down a whole step (D-G-C-F) with flatwounds. When I took it to get set up the tech put lighter gauge strings on it, he said the heavy strings I had were too much tension for the neck and that he needed to put lighter strings to make it play better. Well he did a great job, it plays great and sounds nice, so I didn't complain about the charge for strings I didn't ask for.

But I'm wondering, if I'm tuning the bass down, wouldn't that lower the tension anyway and could I therefore get away with heavier strings? And would heavier strings make my low notes sound better? (not that I'm dissatisfied with the sound as it is).

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Originally Posted by elkcereal

I play an 80's japanese squier p-bass, always tuned down a whole step (D-G-C-F) with flatwounds. When I took it to get set up the tech put lighter gauge strings on it, he said the heavy strings I had were too much tension for the neck and that he needed to put lighter strings to make it play better. Well he did a great job, it plays great and sounds nice, so I didn't complain about the charge for strings I didn't ask for.

But I'm wondering, if I'm tuning the bass down, wouldn't that lower the tension anyway and could I therefore get away with heavier strings? And would heavier strings make my low notes sound better? (not that I'm dissatisfied with the sound as it is).

Yes is would and does lower the tension.

It is common for anyone setting up a bass to sell the user a new set of strings.

I personally use a set of heavy flats tuned down a half step, they would go a whole step if I wanted them to.