are some guitars un-slappable??

Pumpkin_Howie · #1 02-09-2007, 11:52 AM

i've got a shine original, it's not bad, but not amazing either. i can't seem to pull off a decent sound when slapping and neither can my teacher sometimes

. any help is appreciated

ARCtrooper225 · #2 02-09-2007, 01:18 PM

scoop mids, adjust the action maybe, also, try fretting lower frets (7 being the highest IMO)

CalLum · #3 02-12-2007, 02:55 PM

i find my yamaha RBX very difficult to slap i managed to slap my teachers musicman but when i do it on the yamaha it just buzzes and a strange sound comes out the amp?

JimmyM · #4 02-12-2007, 08:28 PM

There are some basses that slap better than others, most definitely.

**BullHorn** · #5 02-14-2007, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalLum

i find my yamaha RBX very difficult to slap i managed to slap my teachers musicman but when i do it on the yamaha it just buzzes and a strange sound comes out the amp?

My Yamaha RBX sounds similar to those expensive Ibanez and Fender basses, out of my old 15W Fender AMP. It's just technique and experience. Also, don't forget to open the Master Tone turning knob.

CalLum · #6 02-14-2007, 04:41 AM

so just turn the tone up?

i feel so stupid + when i was trying to tune my bass i found out you actually have to have the volume up as well lol

*smb · #7 02-14-2007, 04:45 AM

Ibanez Artcore. Not that you'd want to.

lowphatbass · #8 02-14-2007, 05:02 AM

I would consider some basses virtually unslappable. If your not sure whether it's you or the bass simply try someone else's bass that you know a good slap tone can be had on. Old strings and/or improper set-up can cause a marginally slappable bass to be unslapple. Bad technique can cause ANY bass to be unslappable.

**BullHorn** · #9 02-14-2007, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalLum

so just turn the tone up?

i feel so stupid + when i was trying to tune my bass i found out you actually have to have the volume up as well lol

Yep.

Here's an example:

Yamaha RBX notone (I know I'm not timing it right, I already got a metronome, leave me alone :P): http://sunny.marway.org/~bullhorn/guaj-2nd.mp3

Yamaha RBX fulltone (I know it sounds ridiculous, it's just an example. Usually, I open Master Tone at about 1/4 of it's maximum): http://sunny.marway.org/~bullhorn/fulltone.mp3

Shoewreck · #10 02-14-2007, 05:32 AM

Had some difficulties popping on a P clone. Pickguard replacing helped a lot.
If frets are OK and neck isn't warped your bass can be slappable - proper truss rod and action adjustment will do the trick. BTW once I set action too high - what a nice pop sound I got! The string didn't beat a fret, just punch. I wish I had another good bass just to switch and get that sound...

user101 · #11 02-14-2007, 06:37 AM

To the thread topic: All basses are slappable. Tone has nothing to do with slap-....-pability

To your question: Assuming your teacher has perfect slap technique (yes, there are jokers giving lessons out there who don't know anything about bass), then your bass is too muddy. Most of the time, it's the pickups that don't deliver the high end needed. It can be changed, but i'm not a fan of changing PUs. So the only other alternative is to get a new bass.

EDIT: Check out slap bass welcome centre for more info The Slap Bass Welcome Center

Drucocu · #12 02-14-2007, 06:49 AM

all i have to say: practice...

8 years ago, I thought my cheap Jazz Bass Clone is unslappable, the feeling wasnt right, nor was the sound of it, did sound like shi.t!!!
6 years later, I got it out from the case, put new strings on it, adjusted the trussrod, and was a lot more trained than 6 years ago, and now, bamm!!! this thing sound really nice!!! and is whitout a doubt a very slappable bass!