String spacing too narrow...how to deal with it.....pic included

[Damani311]

I honestly cannot normally pop the D/A strings here, without slowing down to a crawl and making my finger completely straight and inserting it between the strings......and after trying for a month now i can't even go at a quarter note space.....given what you see in the picture (the whole millimeter I have to work with between the back of my finger and the G string), do you think I have any chance of developing a proper pop, or should i change basses? Thanks alot

[bassgod0dmw]

Better technique. Practice and you'll get it...or get a new bass. They are really your only options.

[Tony G]

This is the complete opposite of my problem. I prefer tighter string spacing and feel I am much faster with the strings closer together. This is because my follow through from one string to stop on the one above it is much shorter, so I'm able to rebound my plucks quicker.

[distrot]

i can't slap on my wick either, the spacing is just too tight, i just use a differeny bass for slapping

[TheBassBetween]

Mmm, do I see a Warwick?

I had trouble popping anything that wasn't the G as well on my wick when I first started out. It just takes practice, and knowing where to place your fingers will become second nature.

[Pacman]

There's plenty of room in there. Think economy of motion, you don't need a ton of motion to get a great pop sound. Interestingly, I learned that lesson watching John B. Williams slap his Wick...

[luknfur]

Pic is pretty useless for something like that, I'll take your word for it.

Schaller roller bridge will give you lateral adjustment to adjust to comfort. I got them cause I was always changing pups with various pole spacing. From that I know with G spacing trying to slap is uncomfortable. You could probably learn to slap anything if you altered your technique and worked on it but I say if it ain't easy why dink with it - just spread the strings out.

[Andrew.Glose]

Seeing as how you have a Warwick, you can adjust your string spacing. If you haven't already, give it a whirl. I have a problem with double popping on my Warwick due to the proximity of the neck pickup to the neck. But then again, I hardly ever use the technique these days.

[elpelotero]

I learned slapping on my Warwick. I agree that at first it was difficult, but now it's second nature. You can and will get it with patience and practicing good technique.

[jollygiantchris]

i do a little slapping on my ric im not a particularly good slapper mostly because i dont care for the sound but i do practice the technique for the sake of being more well rounded...just practice more and the precision should be there...i also slap up on the fretboard higher up and i when i pop my index and middle fingers are perpendicular to the strings it looks like yours are a little angled so you are jipping yourself some space might want to try slapping at a little different spot either more towards the fretboard or more towards the bridge