In need of Slap tone help...

Fevernova · #1 02-26-2005, 05:00 PM

Whenever I slap my Fender Jazz, I always end up getting a pretty thin tone, very bright and not bassy. I compare my sound with others, as well as the amp setup, and the equipment doesn't seem to be mistake. I'm starting to think it's my slapping technique... Can anybody help me here?

geoffkhan · #2 02-27-2005, 12:47 AM

Try messing with the EQ on the amp (if you haven't done this already). If you don't get satisfactory results, I'd say to think about which type of strings you're using. If you still don't get the right sound, look into different pickups. If you STILL don't get the right sound... Well, learn to like your tone your getting. Either that or look into a new bass, but we'll just hope one of those suggestions I gave previously works.

leanne · #3 02-27-2005, 05:15 AM

It may be as simple as changing the pickup selection or tone or whatever settings on your bass, if you haven't tried that. For me, I generally need to add a little more bass, or change the pickup balance to be more towards the neck, depending on the bass.

Ozzyman · #4 02-27-2005, 03:02 PM

Try hitting the string as hard as you can. C'mon they're bass string, so they're not going to break. Usually, if I hit them too light, they sound thinner. But when slammin' them they become fuller. Play as close to the neck too (maybe ever slightly over the fretboard.) New strings would help.

Panther · #5 02-28-2005, 08:04 AM

Get a Lakland 55-02 Deluxe......it kisks ass...I'd give up my SR5 for one...

geoffkhan · #6 03-01-2005, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozzyman

Try hitting the string as hard as you can. C'mon they're bass string, so they're not going to break. Usually, if I hit them too light, they sound thinner. But when slammin' them they become fuller. Play as close to the neck too (maybe ever slightly over the fretboard.) New strings would help.

Heheh, you'll kill your strings really fast that way, trust me. It's much better to turn your volume up and play lighter. You'll want a nice, low action to get slapping working for you when your play lightly, of course.

Bardolph · #7 03-01-2005, 05:52 PM

Your action might be higher than it has to be. I find low action makes the slap tone much better.

bass samurai · #8 03-04-2005, 06:04 PM

Try different approaches to slapping until you find the tone you're after. For example Victor Wooten's slap technique is very different from Marcus Miller's and they have completely different slap tones.

pickles · #9 03-04-2005, 06:15 PM

When you slap, its really important that your thumb doesn't remain in contact with the string after you've thumped the note, or else you'll mute it! You'll get lots of bright attack from nailing the frets, but no bloom. Maybe that is part of your problem? Just Guessing. Your thumb needs to "bounce" off of the string.

EDIT: sometimes that muted thump is what you are looking for! But it sounds like you want to hear some bloom ...

If there is a teacher in your area (or an experienced friend) you could probably go through the technique in one lesson and see if they can spot anything.

pickles · #10 03-04-2005, 06:17 PM

There is also this: Slap DVD/Video recommendations wanted.