What was it that enabled me to slap?

[cactus waltz]

For several years now, I have thought that I just "don't have it" when it comes to slap, I tried it in so many ways on my two basses, only ever sounded like hot mess. This includes my present bass guitar, an Ibanez SR300. But I always felt that I understand the technique, I can easily "slap" table edges and such with the middle joint of my thumb.

So, a couple of weeks ago, I went to my local guitar store and tried to slap on a Fender Jazz bass. It worked instantly! Like ka-pow. Then I got home and tried the same thing on the Ibanez and it just sounded like noise, once again.

So what is the matter here? Is it the string action? The actual strings? My technique?

[Darkstrike]

Maybe the Jazz suits you better for slap?

Maybe you've discoverd why most slap fanatics end up with J's or variations or J basses?

[PSPookie]

J's do work well for slap . . .
Setup is also a likely contributor.

[Bassmickeyd]

Considering the 'slap' style was invented on a Fender Jazz bass explains a lot. Though you should ask yourself what you want from the 'slap' style. Other than Marcus Miller and a few others I've yet to hear anyone evolve much past imitation of Larry G's original slap style. Sure the speed is up with a few more tricks but in the end imitation is nothing more than that. Slap imitates drums. Larry invented it cause his mom and him didn't have a drummer in their lounge act. If the drummer got a mic and imitated every note you could play on the bass wouldn't that be kind'a be redundant. Not to mention piss you off.

[PiNgtime]

Keep in mind that many basses have a HORRIBLE slap tone. When it comes to Ibanez, I have found that that is usually the case.

[darthkgrim]

Originally Posted by PiNgtime

Keep in mind that many basses have a HORRIBLE slap tone. When it comes to Ibanez, I have found that that is usually the case.

+1

They do play nice but a lot of the ones I've played were lacking the string spacing I like for slap and the tone. J's and P's, however, sound awesome for this.

[jgroh]

Originally Posted by darthkgrim

+1

They do play nice but a lot of the ones I've played were lacking the string spacing I like for slap and the tone. J's and P's, however, sound awesome for this.

+1

String spacing on Ibbys are usually tight compared to Jazz's. I have been having a similar issue on my 5er (a G&L). The tone sounds great but the string spacing makes it difficult to really fly.

[rappa29]

Originally Posted by cactus waltz

So what is the matter here? Is it the string action? The actual strings? My technique?

For me, it was mostly a combination of technique and bass setup.

I won't even think of saying that I'm a slapper or that I can slap, but if my band ever ends up covering "Thankyoufalettinmebemiceelfagin" or "Suck My Kiss" (which I've read isn't actually slapped), it'd be passable to the general public.

Incidentally, it takes me less effort and control to slap on my Stingray then it does on my Jazz. Again, could be due to setup of each bass. Also, I'm passable on my buddy's Spector.

[darthkgrim]

Whenever I'm in a music store I will generally pick up a bass and thump on it unplugged. Usually I can tell if I like the bass right off the bat by how it sounds unplugged.

Which leads me to a related story. I found a old looking, used (like someone just loved the hell out of it) Squire P with a J and a P pickup in it. I picked it up and slapped around on it and the thing just sang! Played awesome and rang louder than the acoustic bass nearby.

Going price: $165

Should I get it?

[Arranque]

In addition to all this, I have to say I always got a better slap sound with a 22 frets than with a 24.

Seems like 22 frets put things right where they must for hitting the string with your thumb right on the middle of it.

Oh yeah, and I prefer Fender J for this kind of playing overall (but found people getting a nice sound even from an Ibanez with 24, so this is personal)

greetings

[zombywoof5050]

Does anybody feel that fingerboard radius is a factor?
It seems logical to me that a smaller radius might be easier to slap on, but I'm no slapper so I don't really know.

[Yenko]

As kind of a newbie I'm interested in the answer to this question, too. Several people have said "bass setup", but no one's talked about which factor(s) of setup make for better slappage. My guess would be that string height may have the most significant effect. Can someone confirm or shoot that down?

Both of my basses are Ibanez, so I might be hosed. The older EX has wider string spacing than the new EDB, so it may be a better slap machine.

It's a little off-topic, but I'm kinda torn about the slap thing. As much as I love Mark King, Victor Wooten, Stu Hamm, and even Flea, my favorite bassists are fingerstyle players (Geddy, Jeff Berlin, Billy Sheehan, Steve Harris, etc.). I'm thinkin' maybe once I settle into a higher level of comfort with fingerstyle I'll try some slappin'.

[Bassmickeyd]

[quote=zombywoof5050;8463787]Does anybody feel that fingerboard radius is a factor?

I think what the fretboard is made from has more to do with it than fretboard radius. Fretboard radius might have more to do with the size of your hand.

Maple fretboards seem to really shine because they're harder and come off brighter sounding. Rosewood boards seem to be darker sounding when slapped. A Musicman Cutless with the graphite board really is quite nice also.

Jazz basses and Stingrays always seem to enjoy being slapped around a bit.

[darthkgrim]

Originally Posted by zombywoof5050

Does anybody feel that fingerboard radius is a factor?
It seems logical to me that a smaller radius might be easier to slap on, but I'm no slapper so I don't really know.

From what I've experienced it's a matter of what you prefer. Thinner necks seem to sound a bit higher and brighter in tone to me. Where a finished maple fretboard may sound brighter as well, I usually prefer the feel and sound of rosewood. Use of a good string brand is always a factor as well.

If you are comfortable with a thin radius your technique for slap will probably feel comfortable once you work with it on the style of neck your used to playing on. But, it never hurts to try on other styles of basses.

[MagnusNord]

stingrays have an awesax slap tone as well

[Staccato]

To speed the learning curve (slap) I chose a light string, and went with this one. Next, I'll try DR in this guage or similar...

[Lichtaffen]

I tried the same strings (Marcus Miller DR) on my Stingray and my '79 Jazz. Both have maple necks and boards. The Jazz killed it. It is so much easier than the Stingray and I prefer the tone of the Jazz for slap. Both are great for slap, but that Jazz was just great. I also have a MIM Jazz that slaps pretty nice. FWIW my P bass sounds really great for slap too, even with TI Jazz Flats on it.

Just my $0.02.

[looka1/4]

I first started slapping on my awesomely cheap 4 string washburn, moved on to smacking my 6 string alvarez (super tight string spacing), and now my main stick is a 4 string Ibanez with active eq. I haven't had much problem slapping on any of em (6 takes a little more control). I just set up the strings real low on the 4 strings with ernie ball extra slinkys. When I get a new bass there's always a small adjustment period to figure out how to stroke it. Each of them is played a little differently. Its usually just a matter of figuring out how it wants to be touched.

[son_of_mogh]

My first basses had 20-frets. I later got a 21- and had a 24- that was just uncomfortable. I've settled on 21-fret instruments but whenever I'm in Guitar Center, I always go for 20-fret Fenders. Add the chrome pickup bell cover, a la Marcus, and I'm good as gold.

[SMILEYSIXX]

I can't slap on my stiletto, but I slap fine when I play my cousin's P-bass. It's just one of those weird phenomena that no one can explain.