Tuning up (higher pitch)

I just recorded a bass track for an old friend of mine. We first recorded the song in 1982, and it was in E major. Since then, he'd moved it up to F major. As luck would have it, there was a phrase I used to play in harmony with him, and the highest note was D#, the highest note on your standard, everyday Fender Bass. Now, that note became E... out of range. So, I tuned the bass up a half step.
In addition to being able to play the song correctly, I actually kind of liked the brighter timbre, even though the strings were stiffer.
Does anyone else out there regularly tune UP, instead of DOWN?
(I'm not talking to you fancy 6-string people.)