Slapping

phanta · #1 09-17-2009, 07:28 AM

Hello there,

I just bought myself a double bass, it was a cheapy as I am only a beginner and an unemployed bum. Now this bass I have just realized that the strings on this bass are way to far from the fingerboard so I therefore cannot slap it, which is incredibly crushing.

Does anybody out there have any ideas of how I can resolve this situation that doesn't involve buying a new bass?

kurt ratering · #2 09-17-2009, 07:36 AM

have the bridge cut down

Jim Breece · #3 09-17-2009, 07:41 AM

You say you're a beginner- have you played basses you can slap? If you have an idea of how high those strings are you can probably have your bridge worked on to get the same height. Type of strings may make a difference too. If you have friends who slap you might want to get their opinion too. Also, a couple of weeks getting used to a new instrument often makes a big difference in what you can and can't do.

sevenyearsdown · #4 09-17-2009, 08:16 AM

First, I would recommend learning how to play it before trying to learn how to slap it.

Second - rockabilly.com will teach you all you need to know about slap, setups, strings, etc.

phanta · #5 09-17-2009, 08:43 AM

ah yes I forgot to mention I've played bass guitar for years, just not double bass, and I probably should learn how to play it well before I learn slapping but I am just too excited by it. and I have looked into how to slap it and all but my fingerboard is just too far away. and having a smaller bridge wouldn't affect the bass' sound quality at all?
thanks for all your help

sevenyearsdown · #6 09-17-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phanta

ah yes I forgot to mention I've played bass guitar for years, just not double bass, and I probably should learn how to play it well before I learn slapping but I am just too excited by it. and I have looked into how to slap it and all but my fingerboard is just too far away. and having a smaller bridge wouldn't affect the bass' sound quality at all?
thanks for all your help

Typically string height is higher for slappers anyway, but seriously - slow down, read through some newbie pages, learn the workings of your bass, and if you are hell bent on only slapping then go to rockabillybass.com.

...and playing bass guitar does not help that much.

Nagrom · #7 09-17-2009, 09:05 AM

Perhaps your strings are too stiff.

TroyK · #8 09-17-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurt ratering

have the bridge cut down

Or raise the fingerboard up.

kurt ratering · #9 09-17-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

Or raise the fingerboard up.

Paul Warburton · #10 09-17-2009, 09:51 AM

Or be like Milt Hinton whose bridge height was outrageously high.

Bass · #11 09-17-2009, 10:30 AM

Hi Phanta, welcome to TalkBass. You need to get your bass set-up properly.

How far are the strings from the fingerboard, measured at the end of the fingerboard? The guy in the picture below has the strings set at about an inch (25 mm)!! That's way too high, probably 9 or 10 mm is a good place to start. I prefer all the strings to be the same distance from the fingerboard. (ie the G string is not lower that the E string).

Also, what type of strings are on your bass? Steel? You would be better off with a good nylon string (like Innovation Rockabillies or Innovation Silverslaps). It will make slapping sooo much easier.

I don't see any reason that you can't learn to slap and play pizz (ie plucking) at the same time. That's what I did.

Drop by Rockabillybass.com.

phanta · #12 09-17-2009, 09:12 PM

ah thanks for the advice everyone.
I don't know where I could get my bass set-up, sucks not having any music shops anywhere around me, and the music shop I did go to the guy didn't know **** about basses.
And yeah my strings are about an inch from the fingerboard as well and are steel. And this bass was sold as a "Rockabilly" bass but I can't even slap it! haha
Well I will sort something out to solve this problem, was just having a stress out, thanks guys.

Dr Piggery · #13 09-17-2009, 09:29 PM

Phanta - whereabouts are you? I might be able to point in the direction of the nearest luthier.

phanta · #14 09-17-2009, 11:03 PM

I live on the Central Coast of New South Wales.

Dr Piggery · #15 09-17-2009, 11:37 PM

The Bass Shop in Sydney is probably your best bet, although their are a couple of other luthiers in Sydney. They will be able to lower your bridge height and help you out with suitable strings for slapping.

Good luck.

phanta · #16 09-17-2009, 11:53 PM

I can't get my bass to Sydney, I don't have a car.

But I'll go and have a chat with them when I go down there next anyway. Thanks.