This is probably a simple rookie mistake that you've been asked before but I need help. When I slap I tend to hit the scratch plate with my fingers when I pop (moreso when playing faster). I've tried just playing slower and practicing really hard not doing it but everytime I stop thinking about it I do it again?

Is this common?
Is it that bad?
Will people laugh at me if they realise? (my mate thaught it sounded cool unplugged)

This is probably a simple rookie mistake that you've been asked before but I need help. When I slap I tend to hit the scratch plate with my fingers when I pop (moreso when playing faster). I've tried just playing slower and practicing really hard not doing it but everytime I stop thinking about it I do it again?

Is this common?
Is it that bad?
Will people laugh at me if they realise? (my mate thaught it sounded cool unplugged)

I think it's very common. I'm not sure about any techniques to overcome it. I do know that this is the reason a lot of players install "slap ramps" on their basses. Basically all the ramp does is reduce the distance between your strings and the body of the bass so you can't get as much of your finger under the string. There are two benefits to the ramp: 1) Your pops will not be too loud (reduces need for compression) and 2) The less finger under the string, the faster you can play.

If you do a search, I think there have been some good threads here on slap ramps.

Ralf

I've seen pictures of basses w/out pickgaurds where you could see the finish was worn through to the wood due to slap/pop.

Cheers. Never even thought of that before. I'm new to this malarky... Nice to here I'm not alone though
Now to fing those threads on slap ramps.

Thanks very much

I've seen pictures of basses w/out pickgaurds where you could see the finish was worn through to the wood due to slap/pop.

I've seen basses, with pickguards, where the pickguard was worn out from slap/pop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtVjIQQKEvY

now THAT is some serious power. :cool:

I have a pickguard on mine, its a precision copy. I was worried about my technique being ****. I don't think I could put a ramp on it with it having a plate could I? I'm also unsure what they are
are they one of the ones in these pictures
http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/theramp.html
http://www.cyberfretbass.com/misc-wisdom/weinkum/ramp/index.php
Weinkum?

I have a pickguard on mine, its a precision copy. I was worried about my technique being ****. I don't think I could put a ramp on it with it having a plate could I? I'm also unsure what they are
are they one of the ones in these pictures
http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/theramp.html
http://www.cyberfretbass.com/misc-wisdom/weinkum/ramp/index.php
Weinkum?

Here's a thread with some good closeups:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195943

Tommy
My opinion is that you just need to keep working on your technique. Getting a "ramp" of some kind is not a quick fix and in fact might make things worse since you'd be making the distance even closer. Most guys that use a ramp AND slap don't place it near the neck so it doesn't interfere with their slapping.
Just keep practicing economy of motion, relax and play slow so you can find the "feel" of slapping without hitting the scratch plate.
I'm certain with more practice you will get better at it and most likely it will stop all together.
all the best
Ray

Thanks Ray. I will do just that. Theres never an easy fix lol but I do like the idea of ramps for fingerstyle, although, I never needed one before... I'll just forget it and get practicing and more to the point perfecting my slap technique

Tommy
My opinion is that you just need to keep working on your technique. Getting a "ramp" of some kind is not a quick fix and in fact might make things worse since you'd be making the distance even closer. Most guys that use a ramp AND slap don't place it near the neck so it doesn't interfere with their slapping.
Just keep practicing economy of motion, relax and play slow so you can find the "feel" of slapping without hitting the scratch plate.
I'm certain with more practice you will get better at it and most likely it will stop all together.
all the best
Ray

I agree 100% that practicing correct technique is the best way to go, especially for a newbie. In my case I had been using bad technique for so long that putting the ramp on my bass actually was a quick fix! About 6 months after installing the ramp, I got a new bass that had less space between the strings and the body. I found, that I didn't really need the ramp anymore. So I guess that in my case it acted more as "training wheels" than anything.

BTW, I learned about slap ramps from Norm Stockton. His ramp is actually more of a pickguard that sits between the neck and neck pickup.

Ralf

Hi,
The only ramps I have seen are on bass guitars with Jazz style pickups. Does anyone know if a ramp can be configured for a P/J style setup (Spector Euro 4)?
Thanks
Maurice

I've seen basses, with pickguards, where the pickguard was worn out from slap/pop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtVjIQQKEvY

now THAT is some serious power. :cool:

That example at the end was pretty cool and yeah quite a worn pickguard!