Any ideas how this player is getting this tone?

[Jeremy Morgan]

I recently played in a local production of 'Fame The Musical' which was great fun as far as bass playing goes - there were some great funky/cheesy lines to get to grips with.

I listened to some of the cast recordings of the show to get familiar with the music before the charts arrived.

There was one particular song ('In L.A.') that I found difficult to get a tone similar to the recording (I didn't actually *have* to get the same sound, but just enjoy the challenge).

I am still interested, even now that the show is over how to get the same tone as on the cast recording.

Have a listen to the mp3 of the song (below).

The bassist seems to move seamlessly between a 'slap' tone & a fingerstyle tone. I have tried this but everything seems a mess, with the slap notes coming out louder than the fingerstyle. I then wondered if he/she was just using a pseudo-slap technique with the fingertip or something & I tried that - but I just can't seem to nail it!

Can anybody help me out?

http://www.mediamax.com/drdomestos/H...udio/InL.A.mp3

[Lalabadie]

Strong hammer-ons?
Otherwise the tone in itself is pretty standard, a little low on treble.

I'd say he plays alternatively near the neck and near the bridge, and hammers-on the metallic notes.

But that sound, if hammered-on, is done on nice nickel roundwounds.

I think I could do that sort of sound this way.

*tries*

Yup. I'm not that good, but it definately seems a valuable way.

*EDIT* That's funny, my nickname's L.-A. :P

[Spencer!]

Try slapping lighter.

[spindizzy]

Based only on listening two possibilities seem likely. The players sound is a little squeezed so my first guess is a limiter. I used to use one myself as I often went back and forth between slap and fingers and the limiter would keep a lid on the volume of the slap. It also sounds like there is a bit of artificial sustain in the bass sound which would be a charicteristic of a limiter pedal.

My second guess is...the player is good. It could be that like many of us older players we have done the various techniques long enough to have ample control over the volume of each technique. I prefer the last option best as with practice, emphasizing volume control on your slap, I wager you will get the hang of it and wonder some day why you thought it was some sort of special trick.

Happy soft slapping!

[vlad335]

Sounds like root notes played with the thumb ( Not slapped ) alternating with occaisional pops on the D string. Actually, I don't hear any slaps just quick pops. Very classy pro line.

Do you use compression? I use a Blackfinger which can squash the over the top dynamics pretty good without taking away alot of the zing. A BBE downstream in my rig is a big plus as well after compression.

I could be wrong

[puff father]

Light touch, low action?

I agree it could be achieved all by touch.