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Double Bass Grabbing that G string

ricobasso

ricobasso

Jan 18, 2007
171
13
UK, South East
#1
Having moved over to gut strings, I'm finding slapping easier and don't have to worry about blisters after any long lay offs (I play lots of other styles and never manage to practise slapping regularly). One thing I continue to find difficult is slapping the top string. I find that when the tips of my right hand fingers catch the edge of the fingerboard I can't get enough grip on the G string to pull it up. The other 3 strings are fine. When I slap down onto the flat part of the fingerboard, the tips of my fingers naturally curl just the right amount onto/under the strings for grip. On the G string it's never that easy. I usually catch the edge of the board and it prevents the fingertips going just that little bit more under the string. Then I don't get enough lift to get a slap sound.

Am I missing something or do I need to recut the grooves or move the bridge sideways to have more empty fingerboard between the G string an the far edge?
 
#2
I don't know that anyone could be sure without seeing you play. I'm guessing you mean to "pop" the string and not slap it with your thumb. This might have more to do with string height . . . ? I find on my peavey grind I have real trouble slapping, and popping is near impossible because the action is set so low. I just can't seem to catch the strings in the right way for it. I have no problem with it on my fender jazz.
I don't have a lot of call for that style in either band I play in so I'm no expert on it.
 
#3
Morgan, you're in the DB forum. Whole different ball game.

Rico, does your bridge have adjusters? If so, try raising it a few mm and see what happens. My Shen is set up for jazz and when I have to slap I sometimes miss the G because it's only 7mm over the end of the board.
 
#4
hmmmm, yes I must admit the D and A are about 11mm high at the end of the fingerboard but the G is only about 8/9mm. That may make all the difference.

No my bridge does not have adjusters. I could file out a chunk and insert a piece of maple or ebony sticking out a tad higher. I guess a few mm wouldn't look too strange. Or, I could buy a new bridge, but that's a lot of work...
 
#5
Update

I bit the bullet and bought a new bridge with adjusters. Cutting and carving took a while. I fitted it today and set it up with 10-11mm string height measured at the end of the fingerboard. I also offset the string grooves by about 2mm towards the bass side.

So far so good. Now gripping the G string feels much the same as the other strings. My fingertips no longer get caught on the far edge of the fb. If any unforeseen snags do arise, I report back.
 
#6
ricobasso said:
Update

I bit the bullet and bought a new bridge with adjusters. Cutting and carving took a while. I fitted it today and set it up with 10-11mm string height measured at the end of the fingerboard. I also offset the string grooves by about 2mm towards the bass side.

So far so good. Now gripping the G string feels much the same as the other strings. My fingertips no longer get caught on the far edge of the fb. If any unforeseen snags do arise, I report back.
Click to expand...

I think you'll find as your technique improves, you'll be able to lower the strings a bit...slapping feels clunky at first, then gets easier :)
 

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