Majority slap use light gauge?

[suraci]

I'm considering switching to light gauge - I don't slap but want to
Also I have a 5 string jazz bass
Light gauge??

 

[JimmyM]

I love light gauge, but I can slap on anything, and you can, too.

 

[Geri O]

I'm considering switching to light gauge - I don't slap but want to
Also I have a 5 string jazz bass
Light gauge??

What do you consoder "light gauge"?

I did everything, fingers, slap, and what little pick work I did on 50, 70, 85, 105, and 135 for most of my playing career. I finally moved down a gauge (45, 65, 80, 100, and 130 because I wanted to play something a little easier on my hands at my age before I had no choice to.

Still doing everything on those guages.

Including what little slap playing I do (mostly at home)....

 

[suraci]

Re " at my age... before I'm forced to ".
I don't slap pop Late in life. Hearing so many guys really making slap an artform. I'm interested in it
The only reason I came here is cause I finally landed a one nighter !

Note if I told you about 50 years ago I played bass with a forgotten nyc session with Richard Tee. A couple times. Man I sound like an old guy. Stuck in the past !! Talking to myself. But it's true
Also one session with an unhappy ( Rainey was elsewhere ) B Purdie!

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

I use regular 45-105 and they slap fine.

Stick to whatever gauge is comfortable for you and practice…you’ll get there.

 

[31HZ]

I'm no slap monster, but the gauge doesn't seem to matter beyond personal preference. Fresh/bright strings always sound better IMO.

 

[JonathanPDX]

There are lots of different approaches to slap. Some slappers like Marcus Miller and Flea use medium gauges, while others like Les Claypool and Victor Wooten tend towards lighter sets. If you are hammering away as hard as you can light strings are probably not going to sound as good, whereas if you play with a super light touch you might find yourself fighting against the strings if you go with something really heavy and tense.

You should also note that what you hear on the record isn't always what those guys take on the road, so you can find yourself going down a rabbit hole asking "Why doesn't this setup sound like the record?" when the answer is "They didn't use that bass/string/setup in the studio!"

 

[Les Fret]

Different strokes for different folks. Some slappers use 45 (I think Marcus Miller, not sure though), some 40 (Victor Wooten), some even tiny winy 30 (Marc King). There is no hard rule. It depends on how you slap and your technique.
Same goes for finger style.

I slap a lot and have used 45 for many years. But on some basses I now prefer 40. Also because I use three and even four fingers for slapping. I can do it on 45 but these advanced and ‘modern’ slap techniques are a bit easier with 40s.

 

[hasbeen]

I love light gauge, but I can slap on anything, and you can, too.

What Jimmy said.

 

[JimmyM]

What Jimmy said.

ROGER!!! You da man! Always awesome to hear from you!

 

[hasbeen]

ROGER!!! You da man! Always awesome to hear from you!

right back at you Jimmy. and no, YOU da man!