Why is it easier to slap on a 4 than a 5?

Jato · #1 05-26-2009, 09:51 AM

I was working on some funk tunes last nite, as I have only been playing bass seriously for the past 3 months. I used to play full time for about 10 years, but that was a LONG time ago.

Anyway, I have 2 basses; a fretted 4 and a fretted 5.
I worked with the slap on the 5 first...it was a tune from Papa Grows Funk. Very active and rhythmic slapping/popping required. It was a bit of work, but I finally got it happening.
As there were no notes lower than E, I picked up the fretted 4 and tried the same tune. It was 10 times easier to play on the 4 string! I couldnt believe how much better it sounded.
I love the 5 string I have (StingRay HH), but the 4 just kills it sometimes with the funkier tunes.
Why is that?

S.
j

ric stave · #2 05-26-2009, 09:56 AM

String spacing? Less strings to aim at?

HogieWan · #3 05-26-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonnybass

The SR will be 17.5mm at the bridge, compared to the US Fenders which are 19mm.

Lonnybass

from ?? String spacing Stingray 5-string ??

Illbay · #4 05-26-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ric stave

String spacing? Less strings to aim at?

Bullseye on both.

**Mulebagger** · #5 05-26-2009, 10:14 AM

+1 on the string spacing comment.

practice your technique and get accustomed to which ever bass you want to slap on and you will do fine. IME, 35inch scale B strings are cleaner to slap on because of their increased tension and definition, but I've got a 34 inch scale B that feels pretty nice too. Best of luck.

Jato · #6 05-26-2009, 11:33 AM

Thanks everyone for replying in a timely manner.
All of the above makes sense to me.
Also, I agree about the practice regimen.
I probably will do most of my funk stuff with the 4 string,
but that 5 does sound so fine, too.
If I can "train" my right hand to just naturally come to rest on the right strings, I will probably get better on the 5.
The 5 is a great way to get funkier on the 4, for sure. I have come to appreciate how a good fretted 4 string is the ultimate funk machine! (for me, at this point, anyway)

s.
j

Bardley · #7 05-26-2009, 11:35 AM

String spacing and you don't have to worry about muting the B.

SteveC · #8 05-26-2009, 11:39 AM

It's not. I slap just fine on my 5. Technique, not gear, is the answer.

gnasher1993 · #9 05-26-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

It's not. I slap just fine on my 5. Technique, not gear, is the answer.

+1000 on that one ^ Practice alot on the 5 rather than copping out and going back to a 4 because its 'easier' to slap. Then, when you can get a good (clean) slap tone from your 5, hopefully slapping a 4 will be even easier and will probably sound alot better

EDIT: I find that my fretless is harder to get a good slap sound with than my fretted basses. Maybe its the lack of frets holding you back, not the extra string.

BigOldHarry · #10 05-26-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bardley

String spacing and you don't have to worry about muting the B.

+1

I can slap on my 5, no problem... but it just *feels* mo fun to do it on my 4. Heck, I haven't picked up my 5 in about 2 months, since this new gig I have is all about funk/soul/disco. I just put a hipshot D-tuner on my 4-94 and I'm good to go.