I think of WP as kind of Poland's Mark King... he's a total monster player/composer etc. You should hear his fingerstyle also, killin'....
L
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Best Slap Tone Ever????
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
I think of WP as kind of Poland's Mark King... he's a total monster player/composer etc. You should hear his fingerstyle also, killin'....
L
Funnily enough that very video was my third choice. Mark has had many great slap tones but the original Status Kingbass was the best. It sounds unbelievably tight in that video. I saw Level 42 live on the Retroglide tour where he was using the Mk1 Kingbass and Ashdown amps, at an acoustically designed concert hall venue. The sound was amazing and each slapped note on the bass gad snap and hit you like a kick drum!
Many slap tones, many are great. I love Doug Johns. Even his fingerstyle sounds like slapping.
I don’t assume he has no groove. A sub two minute video is not the best forum to display your groove.
8 bars should be enough. He may be the grooviest guy around, but in that video he doesn't groove at all. Which is kinda essential to slapping.
I thought Marcus. Larry. Flea, Victor etc. were the gods of slap until I saw rockabilly guys do indicate poly rhythms and what not on upright basses. and they really are slapping the bass like you would slap a person.
Slap a person with how you do it on an electric bass. They are likely to punch you. Slap anyone like you slap like a rockabilly dude and there is a 60 percent chance they will run away and 30% cry and 10 punching you.
Back to the EB and on topic. I do not believe there is NO single ideal/best slap tone. But if I am forced to choose it would be Bakith Kumalo on the fretless
Damn, I forgot about Bakithi slapping, I usually put in the groover category not the slapper category. But yeah man he does some cool stuff, and I do like his playing.
Not the typical slap sound, but that's what makes it cool, no cookie cutter slappin popper.
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You just complimented a fellow member of TB. He is a Facebook friend too, but I can’t remember his name right now.
He’s got a great melodic groove that sings. Love it!Juan Nelson is using that class Jazz Bass slap tone to great effect!
I think the problem is that his playing is to flitty and fluttery to provide “that sound”. If he’d slap that bass with conviction, it would deliver.
Marcus Miller is one of the best at dialing in whatever tone is needed for the song and of course when he is leading or soloing he dials in the tone HE wants. He's also very good at playing different styles to fit the current situation. He has plenty of entertaining and informative clinics on YouTube. I recommend checking them out. There is one where he specifically talks about tone and explains how to achieve them. He also addresses how to best correct for some common room acoustic problems. Different tones and playing styles are required for different music. There are too many good ones and too many different situations. We'll never ever agree on anything being the "Best".
Although the jazz bass seems to be the popular choice for best slap tone, it's never been my favorite. I've always thought it sounded a bit too 'choked', lacking depth. Don't get me wrong, it can sound pretty good, especially in the hands of someone like Marcus Miller playing through a big amp, but to my ear, the old 2 band MM SR is the best bass for slap.
The tone on this first clip showcases the MM SR slap at it's best I reckon. Can't beat the snarl of strings on wood..
Pino Palladino
Then there's Nick Beggs
The tone on this first clip showcases the MM SR slap at it's best I reckon. Can't beat the snarl of strings on wood..
Pino Palladino
Then there's Nick Beggs
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Pino has played with so many notable artists over the years. He is flat out wicked and tight on that ray! Such a natural groove and improv licks. You can’t think that you just have to feel it and flow. One of the best.
