I know where you're coming from Mel. I hate it!
(ironic I know!)
My basses are set up so precisely, with a very low action, that even dropping a semi tone ruins the set up.
Worst was at a point when I played in three bands weekly. One regular tuned, one a semi tone flat, one right down to D. With some songs in each requiring the low 'E' tuned a further tone lower via hip shot.
This Totally did my head in. And set up's.
And probably necks!
I hate the way it affects the tone too.
Since moving to Cheltenham and playing with a range of folks and open mics etc I've found the majority of people out and about seem to tune down a semitone, mainly for vocals/acoustic guitar action.
So I now factor in a bit of wiggle room for semi tone detuning in my set ups, and on one bass enough wiggle room for a whole tone.
This makes it a sod to play at standard pitch tho
:-/
I play almost entirely back over the bridge pickup with fingers and a lighter touch. 'Jaco style' i guess.
This allows for a low action with less string excursion and rattle than playing further toward the neck and/or with a pick where the strings will move about more.
If you have a crack at it (tough on a p bass as no pickup to rest the thumb on) you'll find the extra tension back there makes it punchier and less affected by the lower tension of being drop tuned.
Helps the tone a touch too.
Might not suit everyone's playing style though.
The irony?
As Mel knows, last year for the first time in my life I ended up playing guitar and vocals in a band.
Turns out my voice, while sounding all squeaky like Brian Molko, is best suited to a band tuned to D.
Boy, was I sheepish when after slagging it off for years I had to ask the bassist to detune to accommodate my vocal range.
Gutted!
:-)
In conversation about notes though I still refer to the note 'position' rather than the actual note if you get me, so third fret on the E would still be called 'G'. Just for speed and simplicity in rehearsals.
Can't wait to get back on the bass tbh.
Hate being the guitard/singist