To The People That Complain about 17.5mm Spacing

KingRazor · #1 06-25-2011, 10:57 AM

*This is not meant to be some sort of attack on those people are anything, please don't mistake the intent of this post.*

I see a lot of people complain that 17.5mm string spacing is too narrow for them, at least for slapping.

But then I watch a video like this:

YouTube - ‪Contra 4: Rocked 'n' Loaded Teaser #1 - Ocean Bass‬&rlm; (playing starts at 0:50)

If this guy can slap on a 6-string with 16.5mm string spacing, surely it shouldn't be too hard for the average bass player to slap on a bass with 17.5mm.

Heck, the bass in that video is probably the worst possible bass for slapping. It has the two things that TB slappers complain about most: Narrow string spacing and 24 frets. Doesn't seem to hinder this guy, and while I suppose that's not the greatest slap tone ever, it sounds good, and fits the style of music he's playing well.

Anyway, I just had to wonder why people complain about string spacing so often on bass. I can go from a 19mm spaced 4 string to a 16.5mm spaced 5 string pretty easily.

king_biscuit · #2 06-25-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

*This is not meant to be some sort of attack on those people are anything, please don't mistake the intent of this post.*

I see a lot of people complain that 17.5mm string spacing is too narrow for them, at least for slapping.

But then I watch a video like this:

Hmmm.. That's like showing a video of Victor Wooton and saying for all those that complaint that slapping is hard, it isn't, watch this.

KingRazor · #3 06-25-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

Hmmm.. That's like showing a video of Victor Wooton and saying for all those that complaint that slapping is hard, it isn't, watch this.

I wouldn't necessarily go that far. Victor Wooten is a legend.

Plus you're talking about whether a technique on the bass is difficult, not whether the bass itself makes the task any more difficult.

Apples and Oranges.

Quickie · #4 06-25-2011, 11:02 AM

Great...another Music Man flame fest to follow.....

staindbass · #5 06-25-2011, 11:03 AM

the thing is, i learned pop and slap on a normal spaced 4 string for 20 years- now with the modern 5 strings narrow spacing, my fingers just dont want to adjust

i have skinny bonelike fingers, i can imagine it would be even tougher with thick fingers. now when i play pop and slap on a normal fender precision 4 string, the space seems too wide as well !

KingRazor · #6 06-25-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quickie

Great...another Music Man flame fest to follow.....

I hope not, I didn't even mention that brand in the OP. I see this complaint from more than just EBMM owners/players.

king_biscuit · #7 06-25-2011, 11:05 AM

First, let me apologize because I didn't watch the video link you posted before my last post. I assumed it was the video of Gerald Veasley that has been floating around. I didn't intend to compare the guy in your video to Victor Wooton. Other than that it's distasteful for two kings to argue in public..

madbassplaya · #8 06-25-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

I hope not, I didn't even mention that brand in the OP. I see this complaint from more than just EBMM owners/players.

You may have not meant for it to, but I can almost guarantee it will turn into the same thing that's been going on.

lunarpollen · #9 06-25-2011, 11:11 AM

How does one video of one guy prove anything about what the average player should or shouldn't be able to do?

Quickie · #10 06-25-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

I hope not, I didn't even mention that brand in the OP. I see this complaint from more than just EBMM owners/players.

From what I have seen in other posts...many music man fans are.....

YouTube - ‪The Warriors (1979) Theatrical Trailer [HQ]‬&rlm;

Selta · #11 06-25-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

You may have not meant for it to, but I can almost guarantee it will turn into the same thing that's been going on.

+1

KingRazor · #12 06-25-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunarpollen

How does one video of one guy prove anything about what the average player should or shouldn't be able to do?

It's just an example, there are plenty of bass players that aren't hindered by narrow string spacing.

Selta · #13 06-25-2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

It's just an example, there are plenty of bass players that aren't hindered by narrow string spacing.

And there are plenty who are.
There are also plenty who hate Fender, Peavey, Ibanez, etc. etc. etc.

Tunaman · #14 06-25-2011, 11:15 AM

People like the spacing they like, whats the big deal? Sure I wish a Lakland 55-02 had different spacing but I'm not going to go waste time on the net talking about it

**nostatic** · #15 06-25-2011, 11:16 AM

Why is it that TB is the bastion of people insisting on "proving" that other people's personal preferences with instruments are "wrong"?

I suppose everyone needs a hobby

**jmattbassplaya** · #16 06-25-2011, 11:17 AM

Reported. This thread did not need to be started right now.

Kwesi · #17 06-25-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

Apples and Oranges.

Not at all apple to oranges. What we have here is a case of different people having different preferences. For all we know these guys that want 19mm spacing on their basses CAN slap on 16.5mm but just don't prefer it and frankly that's all that matters. There are, literally, hundreds of basses out there to choose from so there's just about something for everyone. And if there isn't, you can have it built, lol.

Why adjust to something you don't like when you can have something you do like?

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

It's just an example, there are plenty of bass players that aren't hindered by narrow string spacing.

And they are only representatives of themselves, not bass players as a whole. The whole "If they can do it, why can't you?" idea just doesn't fly in this instance.

Kwesi · #18 06-25-2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

Why is it that TB is the bastion of people insisting on "proving" that other people's personal preferences with instruments are "wrong"?

I suppose everyone needs a hobby

LOL! I know, right?

RFord04 · #19 06-25-2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

Why is it that TB is the bastion of people insisting on "proving" that other people's personal preferences with instruments are "wrong"?

I suppose everyone needs a hobby

Ha, spot on.

Quickie · #20 06-25-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

The whole "If they can do it, why can't you?" idea just doesn't fly in this instance.

I agree with this. I am a very good progressive rock or Yes style bassist. I can fly around the bass and really play from my heart, but I can't for the life of me, other than the basics, improve my slap style of playing. I regret this as I SO DO love hearing a bassist that can slap play. It looks so effortless from accomplished players. I do envy them.