Best effects for someone new to slapping?

rattman1 · #1 08-13-2011, 09:39 AM

Hi all,

Been playing rock and roll for ever. Lately I've really enjoyed playing around with slapping. I can't believe how many great free tutorials are out there now on the internet.

Anyway I'm playing a Stingray 4 string through a Hartke HA3500 and a Hartke 4.5 cab and I'd like to really try to take advantage of any technology that might help me to get the best sound when slapping....Of course, practicee is key!

I'm assuming that a compressor might be the best first pedal for this? IF so... is there a compressor more suited for slapping?

I was originally going to buy a multi, but I'm leaning away from that after reading so many negative comments on them here.

If it should be some other effect alltogether what would you reccomend? Thanks in advance for your advice. I have really enjoyed all of the great stuff on this site!

WaldoNova · #2 08-13-2011, 09:44 AM

I am sure someone can chime in with a link but Bongo's website which has detailed info about compressors and what they do best. I would say check out a Maxon cp9+ which works great as a limiter and might be just what you need.

Venom of God · #3 08-13-2011, 09:51 AM

A Pitchblack would sound great with slapping!

CopperheadLXXIX · #4 08-13-2011, 09:53 AM

A good EQ pedal might also not be a bad idea, that way you can stomp on it to go from either pick or fingerstyle to a more slap friendly curve on the fly.

shtik · #5 08-13-2011, 09:54 AM

Quote:

A Pitchblack would sound great with slapping!

This...

If you are looking for a kind of agressive Rock-Funk style slap, I would recommend first getting a good overdrive pedal. It will make your slap sound from hollow, snappy kind of sound to dirty, full and agressive slap sound. I would take Flea's slap sound on "Coffeshop" from One Hot Minute album as a good reference.

StyleOverShow · #6 08-13-2011, 10:04 AM

It's more about hand technique, and that's the right hand for most of us. Strings are important too. I prefer HR's but they are expensive. The Dunlap Heavy Gauge work pretty well but lose their twang quickly (but they are cheap).

Pedals help and the Pitchblack is probably the most popular.

king_biscuit · #7 08-13-2011, 10:05 AM

A good compressor will make the whole bass feel more responsive and make slapping easier and sound better. I don't like hard limiting and prefer low ratio and medium attack time for slapping.

rattman1 · #8 08-13-2011, 11:55 AM

I looked up a pitchblack and it appears to simply be a tuner. That does not also color sound in any way does it?

Checked out bongos site and he had some nice things to say about the markbass compressor. A little cheaper than the MAxicon Cp9 on ebay.

Let me ask my question in a different way...... for those of you who are slappers, what effects are you using when you are slapping.... in order of priority?
What brand of compressor/overdrive etc...

Thanks again for the great feedback!!

rattman1 · #9 08-13-2011, 11:57 AM

by the way stylovershow.... what guage were those strings were you using for slapping ?

chuck norriss · #10 08-13-2011, 12:35 PM

No effects just four things according to chris botti: practice practice practice and be friends with Sting.
Find out who plays without effects

rattman1 · #11 08-13-2011, 05:43 PM

I've never used effects in the past either Chuck.

I'm thinking it's time to expand my horizons. Who knows.... maybe I'll hate effects.

Luis Johnson has a clean sound. But Victor Wooton definitely uses cool effects....Larry Grahm uses effects but has a completly different sound.

Those are all SOUNDS I'd love to strive toward achieving.

Mattbass97 · #12 08-13-2011, 05:59 PM

I usually role my tone back on my bass and that usually cuts it for me, I get an amazing sound and I use the built in EQ on my amp and it sounds great

ZanaZulu807 · #13 08-13-2011, 06:06 PM

I'm not a slapper by any means, but by judging the way slap tone sounds I agree with others to go for a compressor and/or limiter along with an EQ to start you off. When you get comfortable using effects and want a bit more experimentation in your sound I'd strive for a envelope filter or wah and maaaybe a chorus and delay...

Overall though, I would try to do your best and hone your natural skills and experiment as much as possible before trying effects. Who knows though, you might find new techniques by using effects... Have fun!

Mattbass97 · #14 08-13-2011, 06:11 PM

EHX bass balls Is a nice cheap envelope filter that's great for slapping

rattman1 · #15 08-13-2011, 08:25 PM

Ok.... just bought a used compressor on Ebay.

Whats next?

rattman1 · #16 08-13-2011, 09:03 PM

sorry.... keyboard deleted a few words in that post.

just got a markbass compressor on ebay.

Excited.

SoonerMatt · #17 08-13-2011, 09:28 PM

Work on your technique first. No effect will mask bad slapping, this is coming from experience

mcnach · #18 08-14-2011, 07:35 AM

I use no effects for most of my slap stuff.

But an EQ pedal might be useful, as it allows you to select a slightly different tone, and maybe turn up/down the volume, depending on your style.

chuck norriss · #19 08-15-2011, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rattman1

Ok.... just bought a used compressor on Ebay.

Whats next?

Cut your fingernails and play til your fingers bleed.

K2Graham · #20 08-15-2011, 09:24 AM

You mentioned expanding horizons... a Boss ODB-3 is a great bass overdrive pedal that is relatively cheap and you can get some really cool drived slap sounds out of it as well as all sorts of other awesome other overdrive bits and pieces. Cause its doesn't cost so much it would blow out any budgets you might have and would be able to pick something else up as well........... those EQ recommendations sound good