Is a D-standard bass tuning incompatible with drop-D guitar?

[Barfy]

I usually play standard standard, but if I de-tune, I much prefer D or C# standard rather than drop tuning. Is it too much hassle to accompany a guitarist who has his guitar drop-tuned?

[ourworldisgrey]

That should be fine. Just keep in mind if you have to look off his guitar for chords it will be different for you.

[makanudo]

Well im not expert but i think the only thing i can think of is that anything the guitars play on the top strings, you'll have to play it 1 whole step higher

[nonrappingJZ]

i'm mostly a standard tuning guy and found myself in a band that used weird tunings. i did DADG for a few songs (that particular bass sounds awesome with a low D), but that's it...every time that they'd switch guitars [for each alternate tuning; both of 'em had four guitars for one show (to match their stereo amplifiers)], i'd just take a micro-break (usually a drink of water).

lazy guitarists made for some interesting harmonic possibilities for me.

[The_Low_Dude]

It also depends on what kind of riffs you play. I feel that some riffs can't be played with a natural feel when played in another tuning (especially riffs that use open strings). For instance, try to play some Tool-songs originally recorded in drop-D and play it in D-standard.

This also means it might be interesting to try and play in some tunings you haven't tried before, cause you'll play totally different things you wouldn't think of elseway.

[SMILEYSIXX]

I play on D-standard on my 5 string and my friend usually either plays drop-d or standard, but we make it work.

Three cheers for D-standard!!!

[fr35h]

It's obviously doable, but can be a real pain depending on the situation. Sometimes the riffs just don't lay out nicely at all when they're written for drop tuning, as The_Low_Dude pointed out. Also, it can make things unnecessarily difficult if the guitar player likes to refer to notes by fret number rather than name.

[Goteky45]

That's perfectly fine. I play on B standard all the time no matter whts the guitar tunning. A bass is a bass and a guitar is a guitar. play it your way and dont look at the guitarist.