What effect, amp, eq setting or whatever gimmick produces this sound?

Legan · #1 11-29-2009, 05:15 AM

I'm not the most knowledgeable guy about these things, so I ask of you if somebody could tell me or even take an educated guess on what produces this sound? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIK1V...eature=related

I've heard it on various basses and with added reverb, chorus and stuff but to get that specific sound which I've been describing as "a tiny burp" I cannot grasp.

Thanks in advance and excuse my lack of knowledge.

**DosiYanarchy** · #2 11-29-2009, 05:38 AM

its a playing technique called slaping and popping (or thumping and plucking) pioneered by Larry Graham and popularised by many other players : flea, mark king, les claypool etc. Can sound pretty dated, but can still also sound pretty authentic and legitimate in modern music if theres some thought behind it.

I cant hear any effects at all.

Chris V. · #3 11-29-2009, 05:42 AM

The bassist is playing slap.

EDIT: too late.

Legan · #4 11-29-2009, 05:56 AM

Thanks for the replies fellas. I forgot to mention that I know he's slapping(sorry).
If there's no effect. What eq settings do you reckon those are?
Like I said I've heard him have almost the same sound on various basses (Yamaha, Fender, etc.) so I'm sure it's not just the bass. To me it sounds like mids are way up but I can't produce that sound to save my life.

Thanks again.

refbassist · #5 11-29-2009, 06:09 AM

low mid EQ start from there!

RCCollins · #6 11-29-2009, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legan

Thanks for the replies fellas. I forgot to mention that I know he's slapping(sorry).
If there's no effect. What eq settings do you reckon those are?
Like I said I've heard him have almost the same sound on various basses (Yamaha, Fender, etc.) so I'm sure it's not just the bass. To me it sounds like mids are way up but I can't produce that sound to save my life.

Thanks again.

nah, his mids are pretty scooped. the "little burp" you mentioned comes from his amp getting hit with the sharp, fast attack of his slap technique

JimmyM · #7 11-29-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

nah, his mids are pretty scooped. the "little burp" you mentioned comes from his amp getting hit with the sharp, fast attack of his slap technique

I don't hear it that way. To me that sounds like what I get when I use my Precision/rounds to slap, which is a more mid-forward slap sound. Also sounds like he's got a 5k rolloff or isn't using tweeters. But that, to me, is what I call good slap tone. I hate the ice pick mid scoop sound that's popular now.

JimmyM · #8 11-29-2009, 01:03 PM

Speaking of ice pick tone, I see the bass player for that band succumbed to the pressure in later years:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVcUR...eature=related

EDIT: Just found out it's a different bassist.

BTW, I hate how bandleaders like this dude always make everyone else stand in the back of the stage. It's a 4-pc band, not a freakin' orchestra!

Legan · #9 11-29-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I don't hear it that way. To me that sounds like what I get when I use my Precision/rounds to slap, which is a more mid-forward slap sound. Also sounds like he's got a 5k rolloff or isn't using tweeters. But that, to me, is what I call good slap tone. I hate the ice pick mid scoop sound that's popular now.

I agree that he's using the p pickup mostly if not only in the link I posted.
5k rolloff? Tweeters? Could you explain please?

Thanks for all the replies.

Still on my epic quest for that sound.

JimmyM · #10 11-29-2009, 01:52 PM

5k rolloff is what you usually get out of an older Ampeg 810 without a tweeter to reproduce the ultra highs you hear in the second clip. 4k or 5k has become a standard cutoff point for what's now known as "old school" tone.

Legan · #11 11-29-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

5k rolloff is what you usually get out of an older Ampeg 810 without a tweeter to reproduce the ultra highs you hear in the second clip. 4k or 5k has become a standard cutoff point for what's now known as "old school" tone.

Do you reckon I could get close to the sound with the bass amp modeling options in effect machines like Zoom B2? Zoom specifically boasts of ampeg cab "emulators" if I remember correctly.

JimmyM · #12 11-29-2009, 02:20 PM

Legan · #13 11-29-2009, 02:28 PM

Nice. Can't wait to test it out tomorrow. I'll let you guys know how it works out in case anyone cares

bigblondeafro87 · #14 11-29-2009, 04:05 PM

Also if you don't already know, many people use a compressor to help even out their slap volume and make it sound less spastic, and slapping is almost always done on fresh strings. Many people also scoop their mids for their slap sound, but thats personal preference.

JimmyM · #15 11-29-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigblondeafro87

Also if you don't already know, many people use a compressor to help even out their slap volume and make it sound less spastic, and slapping is almost always done on fresh strings. Many people also scoop their mids for their slap sound, but thats personal preference.

I have a name for those people, but I can't say it on here

J/K...while a lot of people do that, none of it is necessary to get a good slap sound. One of my favorite sounds is slapping a bass with flats and I wish more folks did it.