Frets and Strings for 8 finger tapping

[Wizard of Wailing]

    I'm practicing a new method where I tap a bass line with my right hand while tapping a melody with my left.  It's like learning to play the guitar all over again.  I'm wondering if anyone has found a string gauge and/or fret size that works better than others for 8 finger tapping? 

 

[Cagey]

I used to do a LOT of hammers/pulls/taps, and still do but to a lesser degree. I haven't noticed a better string or gauge set for it, but that's probably because I've been using the same strings for about 100 years. For frets, though, it seems the one thing stainless frets change is how hammers and taps work out. It could be my imagination, but I think the hammered/tapped notes voice a little better and blend in with picked notes more evenly. Normally, a hammered note sounds slightly muted compared to a picked note, but not so with stainless. Also, taller never hurts. Everything comes out nice and clean. So, most of my guitars have SS6100 frets on them.

 

[stratamania]

For strings I would say a set of 9 - 42s or Hybrid 9 - 46.

Jennifer Batten, who used to play with Michael Jackson, and later Jeff Beck, is known for tapping and I checked to see what she uses. 9 - 48 and a low action.

 

[DocNrock]

I agree with both Cagey and Stratamania, above.  9s for the strings and 6100 SS frets.  Although the 6115 SS frets might work well, also.