Left Hand Slap Angst

[AQUANOVA]

I must not have been born with a left hand slap gene.
No matter how much time I put into this, I just can't do it.
Yes, I've seen the YouTube videos. I still can't get it.

I've decided to blame it on my basses.
I have 3 basses, all with medium action.
Should I have the action lowered on one of them
(probably my PBass) so I can learn to do this?
And how low is low?
Will I hate how it plays finger style after that set up?
Will that even help?
Someone talk me off the ledge.
I don't know why I've become obsessed with this.

[packhowitzer]

I understand your trepidation about lowering your action to accomodate slapping and then feeling like it's too low for other playstyles. I have Medium-Low action on my basses. I can slap with out too much trouble, but if it was my main playing style, then I would definitely lower the action.

I have found that in addition to low action, an arrow-straight neck is necessary for me to get a good slap sound. YMMV. I will say that a friend's Spector that had super low slap-friendly action was pretty buzzy when it came to finger playing (for me), but that doesn't mean that I couldn't have made an adjust to my playing to get a usable plucking or picking sound.

Without seeing your action up close, I'd suggest maybe lowering a bit, but not so much that it's only good for slapping. I know that's a bit vague, but hopefully it helps.

Your youtube vids are great by the way. You really look like you're having fun and your playing is really solid!

I also play bass for my church's P&W. It is without a doubt, the most rewarding gig I have ever had! Good luck!

[AQUANOVA]

Thanks for the kind words packhowitzer.

I love playing in my church's praise band.
We actually do this slap song.
Those Who Trust


I do ok slapping my basses with my right hand.
They seem set up just right for that.
But getting a good clean clunk slap with my left hand on the neck is so impossible for me.

I don't know how to do a setup myself, so I would have to pay for one.
I worry that I might hate it.

[packhowitzer]

I know what you mean. I am pretty gunshy about making truss rod adjustments. I have a tech who I trust very much. He understands my needs and we have a good dialog where my instruments are concerned. Maybe that is a good first step for you.

Perhaps you could express your concerns to a tech. I know that my guy is all about my satisfaction. If I got an instrument back from him that was not set up to my comfort, he would take it back and try again. In fact, he has offered to do it one particular instance where I had a bass with purposely high action (as a quick fix for a recording session), and he had to lower it a lot. He wasn't sure how much I wanted the action lowered, so he said if I didn't like, to send it back and he would alter it free of charge. The only cost to me would be the time I'd be without the bass as he readjusted.

I can't imagine that this experience is unique to my area. I think you should start hunting for a reliable bass tech. I'm not going to trash the techs at the big stores, but perhaps a stand alone luthier or small shop tech, would be able to give you the individual attention you need at this stage while you search for the perfect action.