down tuning, cutting through the mix

[DLI848]

I play in a rock/alternative band with my bass tuned C#G#C#F# and the guitar players are tuned to that tuning as well. I need help cutting through the mix, I use steel strings now, but should I use nickels? and what gauge of strings should I use? Should I use a 5 string bass if my band uses open E alot? I'd appreciate the help on this. It's killing me

I play through a peavey vb-2 and an ashdown 4x10 and ashdown 1x15. The guitarists use 4x12 cabinets. Sometimes I'll dish out a warwick thumb or a david ellefson's peavey scorpio passive bass.

My band's myspace is www.myspace.com/lookuplookoutrock
so you can get the idea of what we sound like. I "tap" on the end of the song, "far from here". In no way am I trying to promote my band or get comments on my music. I just need help on cutting through, or whatever else you can suggest. Thank you!

[TheVoiceless]

I play a half step down from you so I know you issues. Basically what I do is compensate by using a compressor and adding presence. Also rolling off some lows and cranking the mids and the highs on my amp. Also if you are using the compressor you can turn up louder without blowing people out the door.

Good Luck!!

[LiquidMidnight]

Question that must be asked before proceeding any further: Do your guitar players scoop their mids? If they do, then they need to learn how to EQ their amps, because no amount of bass EQing or front of house wizardy is going to get you to cut through.