Slap bass is hard

Are you sure it came with stainless steel? Was it used? Almost always they ship with nickel coated steel. Stainless has a different color.

45-100 is like the 10s of the guitar world. 45-100 nickel coated steel is a good middle ground for everything. If you want slap, 40-95 SS will give you a little boost. Flats are awesome (especially medium gauge) for R&B, Blues, Motown, classic rock, etc. You can do it all with nickel/steel 45-100 or 45-105, going with other strings helps push you in each direction.

(I have SS on my active 5, nickel steel on my jazz and soon to be flats on my new to me P Bass)

It's new, I'm Sure it's the nickel coated, the cheapest thing that they can get away with.
 
I got tips from Greg Chaisson when I started playing bass. Met him after a Badlands concert (along with the rest of the band) and what he told me was invaluable to me at the time. 1. Lock in with the drummer. 2. Less is more, play what is necessary. 3. Branch out only when comfortable with 1 and 2.

Each time I pick up my bass, I have to mentally shift my thinking and what lane of the song I'm in or it's a compete mess.

I'm not even touching slap bass.
 
I got tips from Greg Chaisson when I started playing bass. Met him after a Badlands concert (along with the rest of the band) and what he told me was invaluable to me at the time. 1. Lock in with the drummer. 2. Less is more, play what is necessary. 3. Branch out only when comfortable with 1 and 2.

Each time I pick up my bass, I have to mentally shift my thinking and what lane of the song I'm in or it's a compete mess.

I'm not even touching slap bass.

The interesting thing is that a good slap bass line also meets the first two criteria, especially #1. And there is nothing worse than an unnecessary slap bass line. Larry Graham, Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller and Bootsy all know when to slap and when not to do it.

All that being said, the only time I’ve ever slapped is at home having fun. Like tapping, that’s something that doesn’t leave my basement. :chairfall
 
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