double thumb technique

[coastward_kid]

So I've decided to try to expand my playing in a new direction with double-thumb (and double-pop) slap.

Previously I would slap with my thumb at more of an angle, muting the other strings. This is obviously far less efficient than a parallel slap, but gave me one hell of a growl.

I can't seem to make the bass give me the same chunk with the parallel action. Am I not thumbing hard enough? Is there a certain part of your thumb used for the down/up? Is it my setup (fender hw1 jazz into ampeg svt350 w/ampeg115 and ashdown 210...medium to high action on the jazz. Have the stock nickelwounds on (shouldn't be too dead, brand new bass and I've only gigged one weekend with it).

If it helps, I have repeartedly worn away the skin just above the knuckle on the left of my thumb (from the up thumps). Bad technique?

Any and all help appreciated, thanks

[MyUsernameHere]

There are a bunch of videos of guys doing that floating around. Try youtube. Look at how they are doing it, emulate it and practice, practice, practice. Like anything else, as your technique improves so will your sound. Keep in mind that the shape of your thumb is going to effect the sound of your upward "thump". Personally, I have really skinny roundish thumbs (as opposed to flatter thumbs with some meat between the nail and the edge of the finger) and have never been able to achieve a uniform sound in my up and down-strokes. All flesh on string on the down-stroke, lots of nail on the up-stroke.

[coastward_kid]

I do believe I suffer from similar circumstance...I'm forced to use near the joint of my thumb because there is almost nothing on the way up except nail.

I tried looking at those youtube videos, and the wooten instruction on that bass day disc, I just can't get the sound yet. I haven't been at it for long, I guess I am just impatient.

[dhemstra]

I'm having trouble getting attack on the double pops. Speed is ok, but the faster I go the more attack I lose, it gives a cool sound but I tend to lose definition in my tone. Does anyone have tips on that?

~ Dennis

[coastward_kid]

I am having the same problem.

Essentially, I lost a little volume, but more so it just sounds the exact same as if i were using the pads of my fingers (Tried a lot of tonal options with the svt (solid state i know but still pretty versatile), mix and match cabs, eq, etc., but no luck).

Basically, I know that the rhythmic options will be much larger if I can get down double pop/double slap, but I am just missing that thump-ping!

[gkbass13]

i think one fo your big problems is that you said you have medium high action on your fender jazz. you need to lower that action quite a bit to be effective when doble thumbing, a lot of the technique relies on the string making contact with the end of the fretboard with less effort thana traditional slap. so get out your allen wrenches and have at it!

[coastward_kid]

is that right? okay...well, admittedly i don't see how that would help on the (more problematic) up stroke, but i'll give it a go.