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Good slap bass
- Thread starter peetmoloko
- Start date
Theres a couple things to consider, but ease of playing is probably amongst the most important characteristics when it comes to slap. The amount of frets can change the feel very much, because you have to thump and pluck at a slightly different position. I personally am very familiar with slapping on 24 fret basses, because I early on learned to play slap on a Warwick Corvette. The tension will be higher when you pluck closer towards the bridge, but it can also help with consistency and get you a nice even tone.
Of course a Jazz bass, or even P bass with 34" and 20-22 frets is quite common, but I actually find them a bit less comfortable for slap. It really depends on how you learned to play.
When it comes to pickups and tone, then the JJ configuration will probably be the least controversial one. The Warwick Corvettes have the pickups a bit closer towards the bridge, giving you a more focused tone. I consider that to be a sort of hifi tone, where the signal is very clear and you have a good amount of top end. A single humbucker in the bridge is also common, but that is a very very unique tone, that might not fit general slap purposes as well. I personally like a P pickup for slap as well, but that's a fairly uncommon tone for slap, that will probably not have all that many followers.
So I would basically encourage you to take a look at Warwicks and maybe Spectors. They don't quite sound like the traditional Jazz slap tone, but I think they are very usable on many different genres and they are pretty comfortable for slap, in my hands at least.
Of course a Jazz bass, or even P bass with 34" and 20-22 frets is quite common, but I actually find them a bit less comfortable for slap. It really depends on how you learned to play.
When it comes to pickups and tone, then the JJ configuration will probably be the least controversial one. The Warwick Corvettes have the pickups a bit closer towards the bridge, giving you a more focused tone. I consider that to be a sort of hifi tone, where the signal is very clear and you have a good amount of top end. A single humbucker in the bridge is also common, but that is a very very unique tone, that might not fit general slap purposes as well. I personally like a P pickup for slap as well, but that's a fairly uncommon tone for slap, that will probably not have all that many followers.
So I would basically encourage you to take a look at Warwicks and maybe Spectors. They don't quite sound like the traditional Jazz slap tone, but I think they are very usable on many different genres and they are pretty comfortable for slap, in my hands at least.
1) The player’s knowledge and technique are the most important aspects for “good slap.”
2) A good signal chain is as important as the bass. My $0.019 is that the Sadowsky preamp, either onboard or outboard has the right tone controls to make nearly any bass, from P-ish to J-ish, sound dominating when slapping. I would suggest getting a Sadowsky outboard preamp to start with. I suspect that even a Ric would kill for slap through the Sadowsky preamp.
2) A good signal chain is as important as the bass. My $0.019 is that the Sadowsky preamp, either onboard or outboard has the right tone controls to make nearly any bass, from P-ish to J-ish, sound dominating when slapping. I would suggest getting a Sadowsky outboard preamp to start with. I suspect that even a Ric would kill for slap through the Sadowsky preamp.
hasbeen
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- Sep 23, 2004
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Two great classics for slap.
OP- These two mentioned by KF would be great and have been used by some that are regarded as pioneers in slap style playing. Although a P bass isn't my first choice, they are great too.
If you're price sensitive, take a look at Lakland Skylines as well.
Can't agree more! Slap is more in the fingers than in the specific bass or amp or strings. Only condition is that the bass has to be set up right (with medium to low action).
Chuck Rainey sure played some tasty classic slap lines on a P with flats, Peg, for example...
There is a lot of different slap sounds. Usually talkbassers think of a scooped sound, but it doesn't have to be only valid one.
IMHO, nothing slaps like a Musicman Stingray or variant. The Musicman Sterling's are well within your budget many being under $1000.
You can also get into the Lakeland Skyline '44' series for ~$1800
This is really a personal preference thing. Go try some out.
You can also get into the Lakeland Skyline '44' series for ~$1800
This is really a personal preference thing. Go try some out.
Agree with this, but will add, fretless tends to be a little less agreeable to slap. It works, but not quite as strong an attack at fretted basses.
Status basses are well outside the OP’s stated budget. They are, indeed, great for slap though!
Agreed if new, Status prices have definitely kept up with the post COVID price surge, but a sub $2k used Status can definitely be found...though not likely a Kingbass there are lots of other great models to choose from...but you never know if you shop around.
I don’t recall seeing any used graphite Status basses for 2K or under lately. I’d expect the asking prices to be substantially higher as Rob is no longer making graphite necks. But maybe I’m not looking in the right places…
