I frequently play slap bass and I was wondering what gauge strings might be suitable. Anyone got any ideas?
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Gauge for slapping
- Thread starter Coeball
- Start date
i play alot of slap too. i have never had any problem with
.045.065.085.0105.130(im a fiver)
i usually go for stainless steel tho
.045.065.085.0105.130(im a fiver)
i usually go for stainless steel tho
- Mar 11, 2005
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- Employee - Basscentre Melbourne
- Jun 25, 2007
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- Artist:TC Electronic RH450 bass system (original test-pilot)
i go for some low gauge strings usually .095 .075 .060 .040. rite now im using some low gauge d'addario super bright prosteels and they sound beautiful, perfect for slap. 
can't see why one would call .045 XLs a soft gauge. D and G in that set have quite some tension to them.
for slapping, i feel at home on most 40-60-80-100 sets, i la bella HRS or DR fatbeams.
General concensus is - the lighter the better.
That being said, close to every string-set on the market has got bad gauge-balance when it comes to slapping, and much more importantly popping. I'm currently using a composed set of 45-60-80-105-135, switching down to 40-55-70-95-130 - tuning down a step. Though just switching down the gauges on the D and A-strings on the first set (or C and G as it'd turn out with my tuning) makes slapping and popping sound MUCH better, due to the lighter mass, not to mention that the output and feeling is much more balanced due to the balanced tension as well.
So, final recommendations on string-gauges: if you like your stuff REALLY light, go 35-50-65-90, or if you want more tension to it, try 40-55-70-95. Try a .100 on the bottom if you want more tension there. Alternatively, go 45-60-80-105 if you desperately need tension. Any larger on the low-end will not lend itself well to slapping (talking about four-strings). If you've got a five-string, basically anything between .120-.130 works. If you're looking for balance, stick between .125 and .130. I've got a .135 on my bass right now - not that much of a difference in tension, but there's a trade-off when it comes to slaptone, hence my going back to .130.
That being said, close to every string-set on the market has got bad gauge-balance when it comes to slapping, and much more importantly popping. I'm currently using a composed set of 45-60-80-105-135, switching down to 40-55-70-95-130 - tuning down a step. Though just switching down the gauges on the D and A-strings on the first set (or C and G as it'd turn out with my tuning) makes slapping and popping sound MUCH better, due to the lighter mass, not to mention that the output and feeling is much more balanced due to the balanced tension as well.
So, final recommendations on string-gauges: if you like your stuff REALLY light, go 35-50-65-90, or if you want more tension to it, try 40-55-70-95. Try a .100 on the bottom if you want more tension there. Alternatively, go 45-60-80-105 if you desperately need tension. Any larger on the low-end will not lend itself well to slapping (talking about four-strings). If you've got a five-string, basically anything between .120-.130 works. If you're looking for balance, stick between .125 and .130. I've got a .135 on my bass right now - not that much of a difference in tension, but there's a trade-off when it comes to slaptone, hence my going back to .130.
It depends on what sound youre' going for. If you like the Mark King or Stanley Clarke type slap tone use light gauge strings. If you want that old school funk, Marcus Miller, Larry Graham sound use 45-105. Check out this site for the MArk King sound [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. I'm not sure what gauge Stanley uses, but i think they are light as well. Hope that helps
Well D'Addario calls that gauge "regular light". My fiver came strung with those. They only make two gauges for fivers; regular light and medium (50-135), and they only make Super Long fiver sets in the Regular Light gauge.
ive always done 45-105 and it's worked out great, but my next set is gonna be carvins stainless 40-100 ($9 or $10)
...we'll see
...we'll see
To me it depends on how hard you play. 
and what sounds best on your particular bass.
Slapping is my main style of playing... I use 45-105's - Stainless or 45-100's - Nickel... depending on the bass.
I do seem to prefer 105's... it gives a nice amount of bounce off the "E"
My Guild Pilot gives me a lot of room to get under the strings... so I go Stainless
My Kawai FIIB has a small amount of room... so I go lighter & Nickel
Stainless VS. Nickel... I like the overall feel of Nickel.... but stainless for fretboard tapping & to get a little more bite (I don't slide past frets as easily)
As far as brand... no loyalty here... although I am starting to find DR's "Lo-Rider" to be my favorites.
and what sounds best on your particular bass.Slapping is my main style of playing... I use 45-105's - Stainless or 45-100's - Nickel... depending on the bass.
I do seem to prefer 105's... it gives a nice amount of bounce off the "E"
My Guild Pilot gives me a lot of room to get under the strings... so I go Stainless
My Kawai FIIB has a small amount of room... so I go lighter & Nickel
Stainless VS. Nickel... I like the overall feel of Nickel.... but stainless for fretboard tapping & to get a little more bite (I don't slide past frets as easily)
As far as brand... no loyalty here... although I am starting to find DR's "Lo-Rider" to be my favorites.
