a good bass for slapping

[Matthew West]

Originally posted by Fretless Friday
Except that a lot of people will tell you that P-bass isn't the easiest bass to slap on.
FF

Um, that was a joke. The guy asked a question about which type of bass is best for slapping. I was not referring to slap-style playing technique. I was referring to actual physical violence. I meant to say that a P Bass is sturdy and could probably withstand physical abuse better than most basses.

I can actually not provide any useful information. I do not play slap-style bass. I was just feeling saucy. But I have seen a lot of people use Stingrays for such things.

 

[FUNKIESTMUNK]

I enjoy playing slap bass ( who doesn't), and currently own a Cort35 series 5 string bass. I play my mates 4 string Aria pro from time to and find it easier to play this syle on. Could anyone advise me on 4 stringers that are good for slap. I expect to be inundated with cries of "musicman Stingray", but even used ones are out of my reach. Suggestions and comments appreciated.....

P.S some advice to people who think they want a 5 string just cause it looks bigger,more technical and heavier. If you're not gonna use the B don't get it.

 

[belair57]

Look Here
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14083

 

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally posted by FUNKIESTMUNK
I expect to be inundated with cries of "musicman Stingray", but even used ones are out of my reach. Suggestions and comments appreciated.....


I'm really curious about playing a Stingray. It seems to be a great bass, but i think i wouldn't buy this instrument just for one reason: I don't like necks with less than 24 frets (no more, either). Which 5 string bass with 24 frets is comparable to the Stingray?
Maybe i should post a new thread for this, but i think it would contribute to the "Stingray threads flood", similar to Carvin's. Hope everybody read this one.

 

[mark]

If the Ray is out of your price range you could try to find an Ibanez ATK. They are fairly comparable to a Ray but mush less expensive.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Originally posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Originally posted by FUNKIESTMUNK
I expect to be inundated with cries of "musicman Stingray", but even used ones are out of my reach. Suggestions and comments appreciated.....


I'm really curious about playing a Stingray. It seems to be a great bass, but i think i wouldn't buy this instrument just for one reason: I don't like necks with less than 24 frets (no more, either). Which 5 string bass with 24 frets is comparable to the Stingray?
Maybe i should post a new thread for this, but i think it would contribute to the "Stingray threads flood", similar to Carvin's. Hope everybody read this one.

If two or three frets is that big of an issue for you, what you say makes sense. Unfortunately you're probably cutting your options in half by doing that.

I guess it may be a matter of what kind of slap you're doing but 21 or 22 fret basses work very well for me, I slap right about where the fretboard would be on a 24 fret. YMMV

 

[Luis Fabara]

Originally posted by mark
If the Ray is out of your price range you could try to find an Ibanez ATK. They are fairly comparable to a Ray but mush less expensive.

I second that. The Ibanez ATK is one of the few Ibanez that have impressed me. I had one for very long time and loved it.

 

[Bassline1414]

If you want something that's not real expensive and that could be upgraded pretty easily, you might want to try the Fender Mexican Standard Jazz Bass. It's only about $300 and many bassists use or have used Jazz basses.

 

[belair57]

Pretty much all Alembics are great for slap I think. Ihave only played an Epic, which I own, and it has the most delicious slap tone I've ever heard. Problem is that they're pretty expensive but you can find good deals on Ebay sometimes(like I did)
Bad Link Removed

 

[embellisher]

I agree with Brad on the slap issue and 20 or 21 vs. 24 frets. A lot of 24 fret basses do not have enough room at the end of the fretboard to make slapping comfortable, and if they move the pickups to make that extra room a lot of time the sound of the bass suffers.

 

[Mike]

A great bass for slapping is one you feel most comfortable playing and produces a tone that you want to hear. Generally, a bass with active electronics and low action is a good place to start. This could mean any number of basses but one of these will be the one that you like. Shop around, buy something used and if you don't like it, sell it for the same price and buy something else.

 

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally posted by Brad Johnson


If two or three frets is that big of an issue for you, what you say makes sense. Unfortunately you're probably cutting your options in half by doing that.

I guess it may be a matter of what kind of slap you're doing but 21 or 22 fret basses work very well for me, I slap right about where the fretboard would be on a 24 fret. YMMV

Well, i should mention that the 24 fret neck to me is not for slapping. I use it for tapping stuff and for playing artificial harmonics as a good reference (string measurement) point. The 24th fret isn't useful for slap (i think). My point is simply that i see that the Ray has too much praise and this wake up my curiosity, but i wouldn't buy it when i decide to upgrade my beloved BB75. Then my still open question.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Originally posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.


Well, i should mention that the 24 fret neck to me is not for slapping. I use it for tapping stuff and for playing artificial harmonics as a good reference (string measurement) point. The 24th fret isn't useful for slap (i think). My point is simply that i see that the Ray has too much praise and this wake up my curiosity, but i wouldn't buy it when i decide to upgrade my beloved BB75. Then my still open question.

I thought that might be a consideration for you, Alvaro. The extra frets can be a good reference point, though you can do the artificial harmonics on any number of frets. Since this is a thread about a good slap bass, I asked the question.

BTW I also slap on a bass with 25 frets (Clover). Works fine. I used to own a bass with more than 30 frets and slapped on that, too.

The StingRay and Carvin have practically nothing in common sonically IMO.

 

[Lakini's Juice]

well i ended up getting a used Stingray5. it ended up being just over $800 so it worked out pretty good. i played a new one as well. and i didnt hear much of a diff in sound or feel much of a diff in the neck. it has a few nicks (not big at all) in the body but that does not really bug me. spending $400 more on a new bass that sounds and feels just as good as a used one seemed kind of stupid. i'm happy with my choice. thanks for your helped guys.

 

[Lakini's Juice]

oh by the way, does anyone know where i can get or download the owners manual or something? because its used it did not come with anything. it didnt even come with a alen wrench, i had to go to a local hardware store to get one that fit.