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ideal action for slap bass?

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by rakuenso, Oct 1, 2006.


  1. Oct 1, 2006 #1
    rakuenso

    rakuenso

    Sep 17, 2006
    hi guys i'm a bit of a bass newb still, so here's my Q on slap bass, i own a fender mim j-bass

    anyways i find it difficult to slap on, for example when i slap on an open string, its doable. But if i fret anything, it becomes much harder to slap (And sometimes no sound is made, only a thud of sorts) it's much harder to slap on the A string than the E string.

    anyways, for all you slap bassists, how do your action look? mine is pretty low right now.. and i feel that i'm not really giving the strings a chance to vibrate when i slap it

    anyone?
     
  5. Oct 1, 2006 #2
    labgnat

    labgnat Inactive

    Oct 29, 2005
    outta this world
    yeah you want low action. slapping is all in the wrist, a twisting motion. unless ur double thumping it's a bit different. but regular slap u gotta have ur thumb slap off the string, if it just lays down on it the strings not gonna vibrate.
     
  9. Oct 2, 2006 #3
    rakuenso

    rakuenso

    Sep 17, 2006
    i'm trying to get the punchy sound, but sometimes no sound is made
     
  13. Oct 2, 2006 #4
    labgnat

    labgnat Inactive

    Oct 29, 2005
    outta this world
    sometimes u don't get a sound is what makes me think ur muting the string with your thumb or the palm part of ur thumb comes down and rests on the string,
     
  18. Oct 2, 2006 #5
    BrandonBass

    BrandonBass

    May 29, 2006
    slap near the end of the neck
     
  22. Oct 2, 2006 #6
    Cactusgrant

    Cactusgrant

    Jul 27, 2006
    My action was low too and I found slaping a bit difficult, raised it a bit and it sounds awesome now, but each to his own.I say experiment and see whats best for you.
     
  26. Oct 2, 2006 #7
    BuffaloBass

    BuffaloBass

    Aug 17, 2005
    conditional upon harmonic Hz
    Medium low action, and I would spend a few $ on a slap lesson from a pro so you dont start doing it wrong.

    www.musicdojo.com used to have slap lessons.
     
  30. Oct 2, 2006 #8
    rakuenso

    rakuenso

    Sep 17, 2006
    Can you actually take a ruler and give me a measurement at the end of the neck?
     
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