half-step low as a happy medium?

[dominus]

I have 2 basses and just started playing with 2 bands. One is standard tuned and the other is one-whole step low. I currently have both basses set up for whole step low. I know this throws off the intonation when you tune it back up to standard. My question is if I were to set them up for a half-step low could I tune and re-tune between standard and whole step low without trowing off the intonation or the action? Or am I going to have to set up one bass for each band? Thanks

[Rick Auricchio]

Set up one for each band. You're not going to be in the full-step-low band forever. And, if you ever want to play a pickup gig, you'll want a standard-tuned bass.

[Ric5]

Once I switched to a 5 string bass I can now play 99% of what I need to play with a BEADG tuning.

If I played a 4 string I would tune it DGCF.

[dominus]

@Ric5-The band that uses standard tuning use a 7 string guitar, so you can't just arrange for the tuning difference. I've done that before when the guitarist would drop d tune a standard 6 string. I'm really only concerned with the intonation. I don't mind tuning a bit here and there if it doesn't affect the intonation.

[Diogenes]

Originally Posted by dominus

I have 2 basses and just started playing with 2 bands. One is standard tuned and the other is one-whole step low. I currently have both basses set up for whole step low. I know this throws off the intonation when you tune it back up to standard. My question is if I were to set them up for a half-step low could I tune and re-tune between standard and whole step low without trowing off the intonation or the action? Or am I going to have to set up one bass for each band? Thanks

It depends on the bass. I have a couple that are so stable that they can be detuned with no change in action. However I would dedicate one bass for each band.

[treekiller]

I use standard in my band and have both of my P-Basses tuned to standard. At home I have my MIA Jazz tuned down a 1/2 step to Eb so I can play along with stuff like SRV, Hendrix, etc. which helps whenever I need to learn a song that isn't in standard tuning. Actually, between that & the strings(Chromes) I think the Jazz sounds pretty cool tuned down.