How does Vic Wooten get such a FULL sound with such THIN strings?

[Dr. Cheese]

Fingers? Victor himself said he prefers thicker strings for recording because they have bigger low end. He uses thinner strings live.

The simplest answers often make the most sense.

 

[Les Fret]

I think thinner string sound thinner and thicker strings sounds meatier. That just laws of physics. Check Marc King, he is using 030 for a G string. His sound is not beefy. Also Victor's sound is not beefy. is that bad? Not at all, because if you play busy bass lines with lots of different techniques - as Victor does - you don't want a beefy sound with lots of bass, it can blur your playing too much. Also thinner string helps to execute certain techniques like advanced slapping and tapping etc. If you play basic/simple bass lines you probably don't want thin strings. But it's not black and white.

 

[drumvsbass]

His bass is active. Probably part of the EQuation.