Can't Get Slap&Pop

bmb · #1 06-10-2008, 08:57 PM

Okay, I've been trying to get a slap and pop sound out of my Squier P-Bass. I know it's not my technique because I've tried it on other basses and it sounded fine (granted I still suck at playing slap&pop). I've asked a number of bassists. Some tell me it's because my Squier just can't do that technique and to get a different bass, others tell me to pretty much revamp my entire bass (i.e. change strings, pickups, saddles, etc.). I personally think it's my bass, but maybe someone actually knows for a fact.

My squire still has the strings and pickups it came with. Round-Wound strings. double coil pickups.

I'm hoping I need a new bass because mine didn't come with strap locks so my strap comes undone like 2-5 times a day and it's only a matter of time before it winds up on my toe.

so yeah, could someone please give me some idea of what to do about my slap&pop deprived bass?

Austin Manny · #2 06-10-2008, 08:59 PM

Why don't you just buy and install straplocks yourself?

chaunceytoben · #3 06-10-2008, 09:01 PM

first i would suggest changing the strings, its not a big deal and makes a world of difference. id try DR Lo-Riders if i were you,great slap tone. Im confused about the strap thing tho, who do you put the strap on the bass at all with no straplocks?

bmb · #4 06-10-2008, 09:01 PM

because if I have to get a new bass, and the bass comes with them, it's a waste of money. If I don't need a new bass, I'll buy new ones.

bmb · #5 06-10-2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaunceytoben

first i would suggest changing the strings, its not a big deal and makes a world of difference. id try DR Lo-Riders if i were you,great slap tone. Im confused about the strap thing tho, who do you put the strap on the bass at all with no straplocks?

the bass didn't come with strap locks. It just came with pegs my strap slides over, but the strap comes off all the time.

funkboy5 · #6 06-10-2008, 09:04 PM

Please check out this site for some pointers www.playbassnow.com . It is true that some basses are more slap freindly then others. You may want to go to your local music store to try a variety of basses. Good luck.

3506string · #7 06-10-2008, 09:07 PM

Your action might be too low or high I would play around with that before tossing the bass.

bmb · #8 06-10-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3506string

Your action might be too low or high I would play around with that before tossing the bass.

You mean like lowering the saddle? I think I have to take the saddle off to adjust it.

Dogbertday · #9 06-10-2008, 09:13 PM

no just get a small hex wrench and it should do the trick... I bought mine with like 6 of them in a swiss army knife style configuration for about 6 dollars

+1 on changing strings too...

and i've never heard of a bass coming with straplocks.... it wouldn't really be a selling point for me. (i've never used them... though I do have one strap that grips the strap button)

now if this is just that you're looking to satisfy some gas to get a new bass... that's whole 'nother issue

chaunceytoben · #10 06-10-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmb

the bass didn't come with strap locks. It just came with pegs my strap slides over, but the strap comes off all the time.

ah sorry, thought you meany no strap buttons at all.

Jim Carr · #11 06-10-2008, 09:14 PM

If you fill out your profile, people can be more helpful.

No, the bridge has 4 saddles, each with 2 screws that adjust height and another for intonation (distance from the nut). You do not have to remove anything to adjust the action, unless you happen to have a bridge cover on this instrument.

bmb · #12 06-10-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

If you fill out your profile, people can be more helpful.

No, the bridge has 4 saddles, each with 2 screws that adjust height and another for intonation (distance from the nut). You do not have to remove anything to adjust the action, unless you happen to have a bridge cover on this instrument.

I see screws for each saddle on the tail to adjust intonation (I have to tighten them a lot because I get a rattling noise there sometimes). As for the ones that adjust the high I don't see them. the only other screws I see hold the bridge to the body.

Jim Carr · #13 06-10-2008, 09:36 PM

We are talking about pairs of small set screws in the bridge saddles (small cyclinders the strings are crossing in the bridge).

BTW, tightening the intonation screws to eliminate a rattle will leave your instrument with intonation problems. You need more info. Our discussion needs to end and you need to read the stickies, ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE and visit http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass...tupmanual.html

3506string · #14 06-10-2008, 09:38 PM

there should be two hex screws that run through the barrel of the saddle that adjust the string height ei action. bass setup guide If you dont know how to setup basses that would be a good bass to learn on and you can save yourself some money in the future

spaz21387 · #15 06-10-2008, 09:48 PM

Also try dialing in your eq. I can get a great slap bass tone from my p bass. Although for slap I prefer my jazz just for the thiner neck. Turn up the mids to about 8 treble to 6 and play with the bass till it sounds good for you. For me the bass stays under 5 and sounds great with my p bass. Lighter guage strings will help alot for slapping at the largest your e string should be a 100.

DavidRavenMoon · #16 06-10-2008, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmb

because if I have to get a new bass, and the bass comes with them, it's a waste of money. If I don't need a new bass, I'll buy new ones.

Do you mean strings, or the strap locks? The strings that came with your bass are already old and shot... put new strings on. Plus they are probably not very good strings to start with.

The bass didn't come with strap locks because it's a budget bass. Strap locks are an add on anyway. I put them on all my basses.

therex · #17 06-11-2008, 05:30 PM

change strings, and setup the bass

badboy1984 · #18 06-12-2008, 12:26 AM

Sounds like your bass is still stock and you have done nothing to it since then. Nothing wrong with your bass, you just need new strings and a full setup on your bass.

If i was you i take it to a guitar tech to do a full setup for you. Probably need lower action and pickup height adjust usually. My experience with Squire bass is that the action is too high stock.

Also the stock strings probably dead by now, so change them. Like someone said DR Lo-Rider, i use them myself on my jazz. They are good strings for brightness and last long time too.

And finally in term of strap lock, not much bass comes with a strap lock unless you order bass like warwick etc which comes with strap lock sometimes. If not just buy a set of strap lock and change it yourself.

JimmyM · #19 06-12-2008, 02:27 AM

It ain't the bass. You said it yourself:

"(granted I still suck at playing slap&pop)."

Sure, change the strings and get a setup done if you want. That may help. But there's nothing wrong with the bass. Squier makes a good bass for the money, way better than any cheap basses that were available to me as a kid.