Transformation

Festus · #1 09-12-2008, 08:07 AM

I have been stuck in a rut recently and have realised that I need to change the set up on my bass to enable me to tap as if it were a Chapman Stick. I have no money to buy a stick and so I thought I would ask the good folk out there what I can do to my 4 string MM Stingray to make it more 'tappable'. I know that I want to keep my 100 80 60 40 gauge strings but get a new set and tune them BEAD.

Any tips and ideas would be gratefully received.

Cheers

Festus

waseok · #2 09-12-2008, 09:17 AM

I think u can easily get ur neck perfectly straight, and get the strings as low as possible, till the open strings will slightly buzz
Hope that helps.

climb · #3 09-12-2008, 09:21 AM

You need low action. I personally find that light gauge strings help.

evilgus · #4 09-14-2008, 09:49 PM

Once you have it setup, try out an elastic hair scrunchy between the nut and first fret to keep open-string buzzing to a minimum. Norm Stockton uses them on his MTD basses, but it's basically doing the same thing as the velcro fret damper on the Stick. Might need to try a few different ones to find one that is just the right firmness and doesn't choke notes too much.

Cheers,

EG