I think once a bass player learn enough music to get a gig, how he set his bass up is up to him,and his hand's size.Some people are bigger and have bigger hand's and are stronger then other's.I played bass with Art Blakey i had my string's much higher.I played Ray Brown's and Niels Pedersen and Ron Carter bass and their string's were very low and they still got that big sound he had in the 50's.I guess once a bass player get his sound it will stay with him not matter how the bass is set up because you will be hearing his voice on that instrument.It really depend on how good a bass player is .In the 40's 50's they didn't have a choice on this matter any way.Im sure if they did most of them would have set their instrument's up to suit their taste.It funny all the older guy's from the 40's & 50's that i know do not want to use a mike.They prefer to use a pick up on the gig.We younger guy's from the late 70's -up to know have a choice to do what we want as far as setting up our basses and choice of pick up's, they didn't.The music was alot softer back then also.They didn't use monitor's so drummer's and every one had to play softer.The sound system was smaller too.All i have to say is do what work for you.If you have a gig it's working for you
