Double Bass A question about slapping

[Slaphound]

Hi guys. I am a new Upright bassist and I am using a bass that has metal flat wound strings on it. Its my teachers bass and he is letting me use it for the time being. Its a Kay. The strings have a lot of tension and I don't know how high off the fingerboard they are but I can't seem to easily pull them and let them smack back against the fingerboard. I have seen some videos where the bassist is pulling the strings and it doesn't seem that hard. I mean, I don't think Slapping efficiently is not hard but It looks easy to pull the strings up and let them smack and even the slap itself seems easy.

So I guess my question is this. Is it an illusion or are metal strings really hard to slap with? Its not my bass to change the stings or have it set up differently but I'd like to know if I should hurry up and get my own bass so I can get to slapping.

By the way, I am also interested in playing blues too. Not only slapping. Maybe even some jazz.

 

[FatBoutedGirls]

Sounds like the bass is not setup for slapping, less tension and a lower string height would help. Talk to your teacher about it.

Metal strings come in all types, I'm currently slapping with Blast Cult Low-Lifes, a steel string that is designed to slap.

 

[Slaphound]

Thanks Fat. I just emailed the luthier that worked on this bass and I'm trying to get some insight from him. My teacher already told me that he knows nothing about gear.

 

[FatBoutedGirls]

Thanks Fat. I just emailed the luthier that worked on this bass and I'm trying to get some insight from him. My teacher already told me that he knows nothing about gear.

Post some pics, also if you could measure the string height at the end of the fingerboard we can compare.

What kind of music does your teacher play?

 

[Slaphound]

Here are some pics of the bass' set up. These are Thomastik Superflexable.

 

[Slaphound]

String hight at the end of the fingerboard seems to measure about 5mm. My teacher plays mostly blues and jazz. He is a teacher at the bass collective in NYC.

 

[FatBoutedGirls]

That's a nice setup, if you can't slap on it I'd have to say those strings just have too high a tension. Or slap/pull harder

 

[Slaphound]

LOL. Yes. Agreed.

That's a nice setup, if you can't slap on it I'd have to say those strings just have too high a tension. Or slap/pull harder

I'm hoping to have a bass by Dec. so I can have the bass set up for me.

 

[tyb507]

Those look like Velvet strings to me, which should slap pretty well. If there's too much tension, it might be the neck has a bow to it or something.

 

[Slaphound]

Your absolutly right. Velvet Animas. Obviously Its me. They are advsrtised as a lower tension string. Still i have to believe that there is a better string to slap. I'd imagine as well that there's a trade off though and id be sacrificing a nice pizz style string.

 

[Feral Feline]

String hight at the end of the fingerboard seems to measure about 5mm. My teacher plays mostly blues and jazz. He is a teacher at the bass collective in NYC.

The lowest height I like is 7mm, most slappers I've spoke with (0nline or otherwise) like 9mm or 10mm. I've played lower action such as 5mm, and it's difficult to slap, especially if you're used to a higher string height. At the moment I've got particularly stiff orchestra strings on my Shen, haven't measured the height, but the tension from the orchestral strings really gives the arms and fingers a workout.

Best advice I can give is to stay relaxed. It takes some effort to get the proper technique into the muscle memory, but once you do you'll be able to relax better and have less trouble slapping.

 

[Tommy Vee]

I slapped steel for 20 years before I started stringing some of my basses with Innovation Goldenslaps. It took awhile to get used to slapping with a lighter touch but I love it now! My advice would be throw some Innovations on until you build up some technique and strength!