You're doing it wrong!

[Craig630]

Hey guys,

I'm running into a problem with my $$ that I can't seem to get around and it's frustrating.

When I slap, the string must be hitting the open poles on the MECpup and it always makes this hideous SNAP when they touch. I've tried adjusting my angle of attack, where my thumb lands, and anything else I can think of, but I just can't get it down right.

Other than the snap, I feel I get a good tone out of it and absolutley love it.

I'm afraid to replace the pups with covered poles - #1 because most of the 'wick sound comes from these MECs, no? and #2 I just really dig the look.

Is there some sort of super thin, transparent film/material that I can coat the poles with that will a) block the snap and b) not affect the tone?

--I do not experience this issue with any of my other open pole pups.

"Don't Slap" - not an acceptable response. Despite your hatred for it, I like the sound. Hell, I even recorded a slap version your favorite song, just for you!
www.ididn'treallycoveryourfavoritesong.com

[JimmyM]

electrical tape. learned that trick from dave larue. he always covers the polepieces with electrical tape when he records for that very reason.

[dblbass]

Try lowering the pickups.

[Marton]

I always put electric tape on my pickups when I record too.

You could try to put Saran wrap or something between the pickup and the cover, too.

[Greyfin10]

Actually, that brings up an interesting question... I had my keyboard player tell me that I should be slapping over the end of the fretboard (i.e. in front of the neck pickup) instead of where I was hitting it (sort of between my neck and bridge pickup). I'm mostly fingerstyle and don't have a lot of slap chops (slapchops... sounds tasty and funky) so I didn't know how to judge his feedback. The idea was that my incorrect technique was what was leading to the strings hitting the poles.

I altered what I was doing, and though it felt awkward and sounded thin to my ears, I am not above taking advice

[Craig630]

I've never messed with pick-up height before, I'm a bit hesitant to try it. Do I just adjust the visible screws, will that adjust the height? Will this affect the tone?

I was thinking saran wrap because it's clear as I like the look of the open poles. I wasn't sure if it's substantial enough to block the connection, do you think it would be?

[fu22ba55]

+1 electrical tape for recording.

A dab of clear nail polish on each pole will work too (my old P-bass trick), but that's a more permanent / invasive solution, and I don't know how excited you are about putting nail polish on your nice new $$.

If you try it, a little goes a long way, and do a few super thin coats (let each dry in-between) rather trying to goob a bunch on there at once.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Greyfin10

Actually, that brings up an interesting question... I had my keyboard player tell me that I should be slapping over the end of the fretboard (i.e. in front of the neck pickup) instead of where I was hitting it (sort of between my neck and bridge pickup). I'm mostly fingerstyle and don't have a lot of slap chops (slapchops... sounds tasty and funky) so I didn't know how to judge his feedback. The idea was that my incorrect technique was what was leading to the strings hitting the poles.

I altered what I was doing, and though it felt awkward and sounded thin to my ears, I am not above taking advice

your keyboard player is right. slapping should be done at the end of the fingerboard for two reasons:

1. the pickup slapping problem you're having

B. less effort on your part for greater result.

if it sounds thin, you're just not doing it right. go watch a few beginner slap vids on youtube, especially larry graham's.

[Craig630]

Re: 1. the pickup slapping problem you're having

I tried that, the resulting vibration of the string behind my thumb is wide enough to contact the pole.

After typing that I'm realizing that maybe it is a pick-up height issue, I'll try that first.



I guess sometimes you just need a hand fleshing out thoughts, thanks for the brainstorming session guys.