What is optimal string setting for tapping ?

[TheButler]

Hello, I am just wondering how strings should be set up for optimal tapping performance ?? High tension, Low-tension etc ?? I know most of the sound won't really be down to string choice but is there a brand/type of string that prevails when tapping ??

[thumpbass1]

Do you mean 'tapping' as in the Billy Sheehan style of
shred metal bass playing; or do you mean 'slapping' as in
the styles of Marcus Miller Or Victor Wooten?
Both techniques generally can be acheived with a decent
set of lighter gauge round wounds with stainless steels
being the brightest sounding.

[TheButler]

I was referring more to the Vic Wooten style. I still have the stock TBC strings on my bass at the moment so was going to be changing them anyway

[sunbeast]

Originally Posted by thumpbass1

Do you mean 'tapping' as in the Billy Sheehan style of
shred metal bass playing; or do you mean 'slapping' as in
the styles of Marcus Miller Or Victor Wooten?
Both techniques generally can be acheived with a decent
set of lighter gauge round wounds with stainless steels
being the brightest sounding.

Victor Wooten uses both styles actually....."Tapping" generally means fretting (or hammering-on) notes on the fretboard using both hands without a hand plucking the note. This does seem to work better with lighter gauge roundwound strings and very low action.

Karl

[TheButler]

I have the action covered and would like to think i have the technique or at least getting there I was really just wondering if there are any specific strings ? Or is it really just any quality light gauge roundwounds ?

[Dr. Feelgood]

DR lo-riders. Quite stiff, great tension. My personal choice for tapping, and everything else (I only wish I had discovered them sooner).

[scuba steve]

i like my dr high-beams for tapping, slapping, popping, finger style, using a pick...i just love these strings for everything. they hold a very usable tone for a long time.

[All_¥our_Bass]

light strings, low action, and low tension (When tapping, you don't want to make it nesiscary to "fight" with the string, do you?). I have a bass set up this way and it's wonderful for playing using these methods as well as the more usual good ol fingerstlye and picking. I'm not sure if it's optimal for slap though, since I don't slap very often.