clangy slaps : \

[x15]

listenin to stu hamm solos, flea solos, and all the rest of the cool ****, (not beginning to imply a comparison) but how come their slaps don't clang and bang around the frets.
i've tried doing it as lightly as possible but i get no where.

[JMX]

Slapping with a lighter touch is a good start, but also try to minimize your movements. You can get your thumb up to speed in less than an inch, there's no need to start the movement from a hitchhiker's thumb position
Less movement means more speed and precision, which will clean up your slap (sound).

You also need to dampen the strings, with either the left hand fingers and/or the right hand palm. It's kinda hard to explain, it'll come with practice.