Bass setup for Slap?

PapaSmurf · #1 06-30-2006, 01:18 PM

Hey guys, I just had a few questions about my slaping technique. I was wondering if anyone could help me?

first question is about bass action. How high or low should my strings be in order to achieve better slaping tone?

second question, how hard should i be hitting the strings? I slap right near the last fret.

third question, my bass only has two knobs, one for the volume and the other is for tone. should my tone knob be open or closed?

and finally, i have a fender rumble and it has a 4-band EQ
(bass, low mid, high mid, treble) and i just can´t seem to get a good slaping tone out of it. What would be the best EQ settings for slaping?

so there it is. If anyone could help me, I would really appreciate.

GabeN · #2 06-30-2006, 01:23 PM

I've heard for slapping you should EQ with the mids higher than the low or high.

As for action, it should be normal. Just high enough to where there's no buzz on any frets.

How hard you slap depends on how you want your tone. Just slap as hard as needed to get the tone you want.

KuMBye YamALaWd · #3 06-30-2006, 01:36 PM

1) Action should be on the Low side, if anything; or just normal, but definitely not on the high side

2) Hard enough to get a sound you like, not so hard that you get a sound you don't like

3) Tone = open (although closed/off is a kinda fun sound to play around with)

4) Not familiar with a Fender Rumble; I have a GK with 4-band EQ, but there is also a "Mid Scoop" button which is good for slap....otherwise, try:

Bass at 2-3 o'clock
Low Mid at 12-2 o'clock
High Mid at 10-12 o'clock
Treble at 12-2 o'clock

...hopefully this achieves something of a "Scooped" sound, the mids lower than the low or high end (sorry to contradict you GabeN, maybe it's just that I personally prefer a "Scooped" sound for slap)

...

Figjam · #4 06-30-2006, 01:49 PM

Disagree with the statement that mids should be higher than bass or treble. Its generally the opposite.

Action should be low, if possible. You want a pretty straight neck as well. Not much releif.

Efficiency is more important than how hard you sleep.

I say leave mids flat and boost bass and treble.

morf · #5 06-30-2006, 01:54 PM

Thats what I thought. Mids flat and the rest boosted.

Lowtonejoe · #6 06-30-2006, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GabeN

I've heard for slapping you should EQ with the mids higher than the low or high.

As for action, it should be normal. Just high enough to where there's no buzz on any frets.

How hard you slap depends on how you want your tone. Just slap as hard as needed to get the tone you want.

Good call on the EQ (and the rest). I've read tons on the subject from pro's and semi-pro's on this board and almost all of them leave their eq flat or give the mids a boost.

If you think about it, with no midrange you wont hear a slap very well (except for in the bedroom). Of course if you don't slap well that's not a bad thing!

Joe.

Fletch · #7 06-30-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Figjam

Disagree with the statement that mids should be higher than bass or treble. Its generally the opposite.

Action should be low, if possible. You want a pretty straight neck as well. Not much releif.

Efficiency is more important than how hard you sleep.

I say leave mids flat and boost bass and treble.

Ding Ding Ding!!! We have a winner!!!!

morf · #8 06-30-2006, 03:12 PM

I dont get a good slap sound with the mids boosted. I'm not spectacular, but my slap tone is quite good, so I dont think I've got it backwards EQ wise...

Lowtonejoe · #9 06-30-2006, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morf

I dont get a good slap sound with the mids boosted. I'm not spectacular, but my slap tone is quite good, so I dont think I've got it backwards EQ wise...

Slapping is not a major part of my style but when I do it, I like to be able to hear myself.

When I am practicing by myself at lower volumes, nudging the bass up a bit helps me to not have to slap so hard to get the tone. (Nudging up the bass is not necessary for me at gigging volumes.) This let's me relax and work on technique, speed and consistancy without being esthetically offended by my tone (or lack thereof). But getting that tone (well, for me anyway) has mostly to do with consistently using the right part of the thumb, a quick snappy strike and hitting the string right below the neck joint. The thing is, if you scoop your sound, it robs it of most of it's hearable tone. Out in the audience, all you hear is clickity clickity click with corresponding mushy booms without any mids.

But then I guess it depends on how you use the technique in a band setting.

Aw heck...different strokes I guess.

Joe.

morf · #10 06-30-2006, 04:23 PM

I dont think scooping your sound robs it of its hearable tone. I dont get a bunch of clicks when I slap either, and I dont need to slap very hard to hear myself...

iplaybassguitar · #11 06-30-2006, 07:33 PM

my advice would be to sit down and just play with your knobs...haha. if you have tried everything as far as playing with your knobs goes...haha, then you probably arent going to get a great slap tone out of your bass, unless your action is REALLY screwed up.

i had a mexican jazz bass and i tried playing with the action and the knobs and everything, and i couldnt get anywhere near a desirable slap tone, although it sounds great for everything else, so i invested in another bass for my slap happy self.