Question of Grip?

Blackie McCall · #1 10-20-2010, 09:06 PM

I just got a RoadKing Bass last week and I've been practising on it every day. I've been working on one exercise thats basically a "snap and slap" scale. I sometimes reach to hook a string to snap it and I come up empty. Is there anything(other than lots more practise) that can help me get a tackier grip on the string , especially the G? thanks

SnakeKappele · #2 10-20-2010, 09:18 PM

When you say you "come up empty" do you mean you missed the string or slipped off it early?

Gearhead43 · #3 10-20-2010, 10:46 PM

Don't try to "hook" or "yank" the string upwards to pull/slap. Use the friction from your fingertips to pull the string more sideways and let it snap back against the fingerboard. This is why very high string height is NOT necessary for slap bass, contrary to popular belief.

(imagine pulling a bow string to shoot an arrow, but at an angle towards the fingerboard).

Some/most people use the index and middle fingers to pull with, I use index, middle, and ring finger altogether (most of the time). As with pizzicato, the more skin on the string when released, the stronger/fatter tone you get, IMO.

Blackie McCall · #4 10-21-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnakeKappele

When you say you "come up empty" do you mean you missed the string or slipped off it early?

Slipped off. Its not that I can't do the exercise at all, I can. But just when I start thinking "hey, I'm kinda gettin the hang of this" suddenly I can't get a snap on the G for love or money.

Blackie McCall · #5 10-21-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead43

Don't try to "hook" or "yank" the string upwards to pull/slap. Use the friction from your fingertips to pull the string more sideways and let it snap back against the fingerboard. This is why very high string height is NOT necessary for slap bass, contrary to popular belief.

(imagine pulling a bow string to shoot an arrow, but at an angle towards the fingerboard).

Some/most people use the index and middle fingers to pull with, I use index, middle, and ring finger altogether (most of the time). As with pizzicato, the more skin on the string when released, the stronger/fatter tone you get, IMO.

.. Gearhead43 ,I'll go to work on that now- Thanks

Gearhead43 · #6 10-21-2010, 12:25 PM

Blackie - there is a point with the G string especially, when the string height CAN be too low - it just depends on how low, and what strings you are using, how easy it is to get some grip or friction on the string.

Measure the string height under each string at the end of the fingerboard in millimeters and post it here. That might help us help you. Also, what strings are you using?

For slap bass guys who don't play arco at all, most prefer a flatter bridge arc with the strings from E to G being about the same string height. I like mine set at 8mm all the way across. 8 to 10 mm seems to be common string height for slap bass, but this all depends on personal preference. Some like way high strings, and some like them very low. But when starting out, I'd say around 9mm to be a good ballpark. Maybe a bit lower on the G string.

bassist14 · #7 10-21-2010, 01:25 PM

look at my signature

Blackie McCall · #8 10-21-2010, 04:26 PM

I can't be certain on what kind of strings they are. I got the bass off ebay, It appears to be a 2006 RoadKing. The shop I bought it from sold it as "new" they said they used it as a demo, so I'll assume the strings are whatever King used to outfit their new RoadKings. They are flatwound steel and all strings seem to measure right at 8 mm.

Gearhead43 · #9 10-21-2010, 08:09 PM

That's a good setup to start with, but you'll probably want to try some lower tension strings made for slapping. (although I've heard the stock King steels aren't TOO bad)

Rotosounds, Silver Slaps, Supernils, Guts, Cordes Lambert - there are tons of strings out there.

If you want to stick with steel strings, then a solo tuning set will have lower tension and be easier to slap. (solo tuning sets are meant to be tuned higher, but result in lower tension when tuned to EADG)

Strings all have drastically different sonic characteristics, especially when slapped. You'll have to find the one that suits your taste.

Blackie McCall · #10 11-03-2010, 09:25 PM

I should probably have guessed,however,after a few more weeks of practise its amazing how much more "grip" I suddenly have.(now if I could just find that damn C# when I need it)

tweek84 · #11 12-02-2010, 12:31 PM

well i have whackers on right now and the G is a pain so i ended up putting a whacker D on it in place of the G and it works a lot better. I also used 400 grit sand paper to rough up the strings a little and that also helps. Most of it is practice though, I had the same issue when i first started and over time it just seemed like my fingers just naturally gripped better.

I am not a fan of weed whackers though, the tension is a bit too low but they feel great and real easy to play...I am switching over to rotosounds soon, my bro is picking up a set for me for christmas...can't wait