Slap and pop is in in the set up?

[RicPlaya]

I just started learning some slap chops from my instructor. I noticed a few things.

1. I feel set up has a lot to do with how effective you can slap

2. String spacing on your bass should be fairly wide

My bass has narrow string spacing and if I set it up with low action I get too mych fret buzz, I raise it, it makes it difficult to slap without hitting the string very hard. ARRRRRGGGGG so what do I do? I think I can releave the action on my bass so I can lower the action a bit but is it still possible to slap with narrow string spacing effectivey? I will ask my instructor the same question but I thought I would check with you guys....how frustrating!

[Ozzyman]

Pfff... I can slap on a 16.5mm string spacing without problems.
But try getting slightly higher gauge strings and get the action low enough to slap but high enuf to get no buzz...
Also you may need to adjust your trussrod.
Does it buzz when you don't slap?

[Joe P]

I was just at our local 'Guitar Center' trying out oh-so-many basses, and this string-spacing thing is what I just discovered (like, duh.) I really value playing a 5-string, but the resulting close string spacing is making it WAY hader to learn slap - and the thing that's MORE valuable to me: thumb-down, thumb-up, index-on-same-string 'Wooten triplets'! (I love the tone of those for most things, as compared to the drier three-finger triplets, which I'm also just BARELY getting proficient on.)

Anyway - for the first time I tried a 5-string with the splayed-out strings, and was THAT nice! Does a wide-spaced five like that tend to slow a player down appreciably - I'm thinking either left hand when you move up the neck, or for string skipping on the picking hand?

Joe

[RicPlaya]

Originally Posted by Ozzyman

Pfff... I can slap on a 16.5mm string spacing without problems.
But try getting slightly higher gauge strings and get the action low enough to slap but high enuf to get no buzz...
Also you may need to adjust your trussrod.
Does it buzz when you don't slap?

Yes so I raised it and now it's tougher to slap on, I need to adjust my neck it's too straight I think.

[RicPlaya]

Originally Posted by Joe P

I was just at our local 'Guitar Center' trying out oh-so-many basses, and this string-spacing thing is what I just discovered (like, duh.) I really value playing a 5-string, but the resulting close string spacing is making it WAY hader to learn slap - and the thing that's MORE valuable to me: thumb-down, thumb-up, index-on-same-string 'Wooten triplets'! (I love the tone of those for most things, as compared to the drier three-finger triplets, which I'm also just BARELY getting proficient on.)

Anyway - for the first time I tried a 5-string with the splayed-out strings, and was THAT nice! Does a wide-spaced five like that tend to slow a player down appreciably - I'm thinking either left hand when you move up the neck, or for string skipping on the picking hand?

Joe

I think it may at first like jumping from a 4 to a 5 string did but given time it shouldn't matter. I think there is a reason why most of the high end basses have larger string spacings.

[mjw]

Originally Posted by RicPlaya

I just started learning some slap chops from my instructor. I noticed a few things.

1. I feel set up has a lot to do with how effective you can slap

2. String spacing on your bass should be fairly wide

My bass has narrow string spacing and if I set it up with low action I get too mych fret buzz, I raise it, it makes it difficult to slap without hitting the string very hard. ARRRRRGGGGG so what do I do? I think I can releave the action on my bass so I can lower the action a bit but is it still possible to slap with narrow string spacing effectivey? I will ask my instructor the same question but I thought I would check with you guys....how frustrating!

I agree with you about string spacing, which is why both of my fivers have wide necks. But, admittedly, I've seen a few others, with sometimes even 6+ strings, slap very well with limited string spacing. Very skilled indeed. I sure couldn't do that with my size hands and level of technique!

One thing I've found is that string choice makes a big difference as well. For slapping, I find that medium or light stainless roundwounds work and sound best, at least for me. The stainless is brighter, and the lighter strings seem to "rebound" better when slapped and provide a better tone. Also, you're right about set-up too. If I'm going "slap-happy", I like a little more relief and string height to avoid fret buzz, although I really don't prefer that action for fingerstyle.

I also find that I have to be really agressive when slapping, whereas with fingerstyle, I pluck rather lightly and let my amp do the work. After talking to many others about this, I've somewhat concluded that a lot of this has to do with the type of bass you play and what materials it's constructed from. I say this because some of my friends derive a really great slap tone with what I consider to be an unusally passive "slap". I guess it's just like so many other variables.... YMMV.

[AngelCrusher]

you should learn to slap with good technique so string spacing won't matter. I used to worry about the same thing too, but honestly, I like a narrower neck so my left hand can play easier...the right hand adapts..don't worry abut it..sounds like you just need to spend 20-30 bucks on a pro set up job.

[bassjamn]

Originally Posted by Ozzyman

Pfff... I can slap on a 16.5mm string spacing without problems.
But try getting slightly higher gauge strings and get the action low enough to slap but high enuf to get no buzz...
Also you may need to adjust your trussrod.
Does it buzz when you don't slap?

No two people are alike, if you got larger hands something like 19mm spacing might be necessary, etc...
I had a ibanez 6 string a while back, was way too tight to get in there it was much easier on my 4's with wide spacing.