Can't get my Jazz to slap

[big_z_in_miami]

First, newbie player, so I am sure technique is a major part of it, but here is the situation, I can slap on Pbass....sloppy rest, but it rings off and pops nicely, very warm which I expect for a rosewood neck and a Pbass pickup set.

But on my Squier Jazz.....it just won't ring out, with the action high or low. Personally the Jazz sounded better (finger style) when it had a high action, but it was too high in the mid neck positions for effective fretting of Chili Peppers or Nirvana type of stuff, so I lowered it......and honestly since then, it is noisy, and the tone overall is becoming unappealing.

Is this all about setup? Maybe time to get it to a luthier for some proper setup, add a new bridge, and dress the frets a bit (I swear they are not even).

What about strings???? Should I just pull the OEM stock strings off of it and get some new quality strings. I have no idea what Squier puts on their stuff from the factory (for that matter, maybe the guys at Sam Ash put whatever they feel like when they set it up).

Any insight appreciated!

[SpamBot]

Tell it it's fat. Then it'll slap.

[Meatrus]

Your bridge wont have anything to do with it if properly adjusted (lowish action). And if you cant slap open notes the frets arent going to be the problem.

My number 1 guess would be your technique isnt quite up to it yet, so keep practicing. The number two would be strings....you want new fresh strings for a traditional slap sound, dead strings wont ring.

I would get new strings anyway, even a bad slap technique with new strings sounds better than it dose with dead ones, so may add some encouragement.

[ProfGumby]

Originally Posted by SpamBot

Tell it it's fat. Then it'll slap.

That or tell it you like her sister better.....

[dmusic148]

Make sure the strings aren't hitting the neck pickup. This is a common problem on a Jazz bass.

[big_z_in_miami]

Well, oddly enough, I raised the action a little and it seems better, and definitely less overall noise.

What I have really noticed about the slap problem is that it is really dead on the A string, the E string seems okay with a nice punchy slap tone.

Also adjusting the tone knob really helped.

I will check the bridge pickup height...never thought of that, thanks.

[Meatrus]

Originally Posted by big_z_in_miami

Well, oddly enough, I raised the action a little and it seems better, and definitely less overall noise.

What I have really noticed about the slap problem is that it is really dead on the A string, the E string seems okay with a nice punchy slap tone.

Also adjusting the tone knob really helped.

I will check the bridge pickup height...never thought of that, thanks.

He said neck pup . My bets still the strings for the E and A, dead strings = dead slap sound, if you play your E and A more than the others they will likely be more dead.

A new set of strings is IMO the most important upgrade (if it can be called one) there is, putting new ones on will transform your bass if the strings on it are old. They were probably never that good strings anyway.

[santucci218]

well, if you said with a higher action that the action was too high in the middle of the fretboard, ill assume your neck is too bowed. Honestly, most instruments play very well with their necks almost perfectly straight. maybe a mm or 2 of relief, but not much more is necessary if you have the bridge set correctly. IME, i have found a small neck shim to be a great addition to almost all Fender Jazz's. What it sounds like man is that you need a good setup, with a shim, and you need to explain your slap technique to us. A lot of people do it a lot of different ways, so we may not be seeing that you are just slapping in a really odd manner or something that isnt beneficial.

[Jefenator]

STRINGS!

[big_z_in_miami]

On the shim, I agree, I already shimmed it once, planning on adding one more. The frets from about the 9th and up, are so flat that no bridge height will give you a clean sound. When I first got the guitar, it was from the 7th fret and up and the shim helped.

As for strings, like I said, same technique and the E sounds off fairly well and the A string.....total blah.

And I really have noticed my E string has lost alot of tension lately, still sounds good, just a bit too "floppy" at times, especially if you dig into it.

The bass is only about four months old and was just set up about a week before I bought it. Can't imagine strings going that fast.....but again, no idea what Sam Ash uses or Squier provides with it out of the box. I really wouldn't be surprised they are cheapo strings and as a first time player, they may have gotten a bit beat up.

I am pretty sure I am going to have it set up by a pro (???? that's always a gamble....any punk at Sam Ash who assembles a few guitar is probably their resident expert), I would be willing to find a real (career) Luthier and pay a few more bucks for a guy with his own workshop.

thanks for the inputs will continue to tweak and see what happens.

[bubinga5]

The action was too low...it chokes the note..i am willing to bet that was the problem

[Staccato]

When you get ready for S-L-A-P strings, go for Hi-Beams in these guages: 40-60-75-95.

[funkmangriff]

i have heavy HEAVY gauge strings on my jazz. it wont slap!

i know if i put light/medium gauge strings on it (like i do my Warwick) THEN it'll slap.

[Meatrus]

Originally Posted by big_z_in_miami

On the shim, I agree, I already shimmed it once, planning on adding one more. The frets from about the 9th and up, are so flat that no bridge height will give you a clean sound. When I first got the guitar, it was from the 7th fret and up and the shim helped.

As for strings, like I said, same technique and the E sounds off fairly well and the A string.....total blah.

And I really have noticed my E string has lost alot of tension lately, still sounds good, just a bit too "floppy" at times, especially if you dig into it.

The bass is only about four months old and was just set up about a week before I bought it. Can't imagine strings going that fast.....but again, no idea what Sam Ash uses or Squier provides with it out of the box. I really wouldn't be surprised they are cheapo strings and as a first time player, they may have gotten a bit beat up.

I am pretty sure I am going to have it set up by a pro (???? that's always a gamble....any punk at Sam Ash who assembles a few guitar is probably their resident expert), I would be willing to find a real (career) Luthier and pay a few more bucks for a guy with his own workshop.

thanks for the inputs will continue to tweak and see what happens.

No offence, and I mean it in the best possible way, but if you need someone else to setup your bass you shouldnt be shimming the neck. It was all the rage for some reason on here a while ago, and few people actually understand the reasons behind doing it...but then do it anyway.

If your strings are 4 months old they are more than old enough to benefit from being changed, you dont have much to lose (and plenty to gain) from changing the strings. Try it then post back .

[big_z_in_miami]

the only reason I think a luthier is a necessity is for dressing frets (if they need it), but basically you are right, I am an engineer and set up is pretty much basic geometry and mechanical adjustment.

I am really suspecting my strings as the E string to me feels very sloppy lately and like I said....who knows what the instrument was strung with in the first place and I am pretty sure I beat them up good as a beginner.

The recommendation for lighter gauge strings is well taken, I have to research that some more.

[Breslin dp]

Technique is key! When I first started playing bass all I wanted to do was able to slap and pop. So my bass teacher had me practice 2 hrs a night 1 hr devoted to slap and 1 hr devoted to scales. I had an old series ten bass and the action was awful but I practiced my heart out. Later that year I went out and purchased a used MM Sting Ray and life has been treating pretty well since lol. You can slap on anything!

[big_z_in_miami]

Picked up some Hi-Beams and aside from slap issues, no doubt the jazz sounds better and plays better. They are pretty bright, but still need a few weeks to break them in etc.

As for slap, haven't had the time to fully test out with an amp, the A string which was fairly dead definitely is more alive on some initial slap runs.

I figure if they remain too bright, I will shift down to Sun-beams next.

Couldn't find the smaller diameter set as someone recommended so my E string is still a .105.

[StrangerDanger]

Slap is abuse.

[StrangerDanger]