Good slap bass

[Geogio]

I find that it comes down the string spacing. Which is why I use a wider neck at the nut like the old Pbass spec (1.75)

Not that I'm a pop and slap expert but I do use it occasionally and I seem to be able to pull it off a lot better if my neck is wider at the nut. I think most folks who are using this technique prefer active pickups, but I've used both. Active seems to be quite a bit more responsive but that's not an issue for some.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Personally, if I was to slap, this would be a Bacchus Woodline made in Japan.

I'm a huge fan of Fender but this Bacchus can eat any Fender jazz bass for breakfast without any sweat.

Many videos available on YouTube.

The model I'm talking about has that famous 4th potentiometer allowing you to be either standard sounding or with an extra growl if you want to make it rock.

This bass really seems to be designed for slapping, quality of this Japanese manufacturer is equivalent to a custom shop from Fender and the best bang for the buck without any doubt.

Mine would be this :

 

[MrLenny1]

One of the best slap sounds I have heard was
with a Fender Jazz thru a Hartke 4x10 XL series.
Happy hunting.

 

[Gervais Cote]

This one would be cheaper and probably as good :

 

[dustinymichaels]

Jazz bass
Stingray

Those are the two.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

Whatever Larry used.

 

[AngelCrusher]

I just got a sadowsky jazz for this very reason. It’s my favorite slap tone though. First thing is determining what tone you want. For me the super jazz is king.

 

[foolforthecity]

Ah, you Stingray guys keep forgetting the Sterling. I find my US Sterling a superior sound and feel to my Rays. For me. YMMV

 

[James Hart]

Good point about relying on the internet for all information. I think most slappers like a little more spacing between the strings. I certainly wouldn’t discourage one from slapping on a Rick however.

agreed, for 20+ years I spec out all my basses with 19mm bridge spacing... but the biggest complaint I'd heard or experienced slapping a Ric was the neck pickup location

 

[FRoss6788]

You guys suggesting Jazzes are forgetting, or ignoring, the OP's request for basses outside the Fender realm. I love my Jazz and agree it's great for slap, but the OP is looking for something different.

 

[Eric Ryan]

Vintage oddballs encouraged

Peavey Grind. The string spacing is 17mm, but if you're OK with that, this gem will really surprise you.

Full disclosure; I only have experience with the early, Vietnamese built models.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

agreed, for 20+ years I spec out all my basses with 19mm bridge spacing... but the biggest complaint I'd heard or experienced slapping a Ric was the neck pickup location

Thanks for the comment and sharing your POV. Ricks have had that neck pickup in 2 different location, one of which was butting up to the neck. My 74 was about 5/8 off the neck and seems like there would be enough room for slapping between pickups. Would the version with the neck pick up being closer to the neck be an improvement?

‘Full disclosure: I’m a non slapper.

 

[Rickplaysbass]

Yeah - personally it's just never felt comfortable to me. I learned slap on a steinberger and played fenders for many years. Maybe I just got used to having a little more room

Sounds like a job for a Kubicki Ex Factor to me

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Answers all over the place, many very good! For me, round wound stainless steel, a Sting Ray of some sort, my Sire V7 (J type) and my two Lakland’s. All active combined with an awesome amp. All aspects allow me to get a great thump/pluck tone! Just my 2 cents that works for me.

 

[Stranger Danger]

In that range used the world is your oyster.

Modulus
Pedulla
Boutique Jazz
Stingray

Hard pressed to find a Modulus under 2k these days.

 

[BGroovy]

Hard pressed to find a Modulus under 2k these days.

quantum would probably be out of price but I’ve seen a lot of Genesis basses at that price point moved the last few months, think there’s one listed on TB right now

 

[Carl Hillman]

Hey gang - I'm looking to purchase a bass primarily for slap and pop. I've been playing for years and gig out regularly but the only basses in my stable are Rics. Any suggestions outside of the Fender/Squier realm? Was thinking Alembic, but I'd like to find something for less. Vintage oddballs encouraged. Thanks

 

[MaxSpinrun]

There you go! If I wasn’t already satisfied with my V7, I would get the V8! Awesome bass!

 

[younggun]

If you are really looking for non-Fender shaped objects, I'm surprised no one has mentioned Status...most of their models are good for slapping, but the Kingbass model is a quintessential slap machine. Everything will be colored by the graphite neck though. It's just part of the sound of Status basses, so you'd have to want that specifically. I tried a few Status basses, and you just can't dial out that graphite "growliness".
I have a 4 string Keisel Vader headless, with a birdseye maple fretboard, that I enjoy for slapping. Great quality made customizable basses, at very reasonable price points.

 

[LowendG]

I'll check out the Pilot - I've never heard of them. I've been out of the buying market for a long time and figured with internet where it is now there had to be some things I've never heard of.

Had forgotten about Modulus - I'll look into those too.

As far as the Jazz goes, I've always loved them. Very comfortable. I just have a major hang up about the Fender/Squier company, and imitations have always struck me as, well, imitations.

I had a Pilot in the 80's, and yes I slapped the heck out of that thing (it was the 80's after all, I think I barely plucked finger style for about a year). Great slap bass for sure and I think it would now have a cool retro factor.
That said, personally I'd just go with a nice passive Jazz, 70's pickup spacing.