I've used tab in guitar-ing, but not for bass. I find that root-fifth of the chord is a good starting pattern for the bassist, in a lot of songs in 4/4..then when he's comfortable with that, start adding bass runs(just like on guitar) between chords.

example: bass tuning is E-A-D-G, low to high:

a G accompaniment in 4/4 time would be, for instance, open G (high string),open D (next string lower), and repeat...till chord changes...

Rich