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Losing volume when slapping

mantekka

mantekka

Nov 21, 2006
32
14
Dublin, Ireland
linktr.ee
Disclosures
Creator of free practice app - LoopTube.xyz
#1
Hey,

I find I'm keeping away from slapping when playing live, as whatever way I'm setup, the volume when I'm slapping / thumbing is considerably lower than my fingerstyle (I'd be pretty heavy).
So it kinda gets lost in the sound when I do switch over.
Should I just leave my standard volume with some room to turn up when slapping or is it down to my eq?
Not very technical, just like to plug in and play!

For example I might just switch to a simple octave thumb starting on the lower 5th B string, and pop on the A. but I just can't get the thump I want out of the lower note.

Thanks
 
#2
It's hard to "diagnose" without seeing you play but slapping is usually louder than finger style just because you attack the strings harder.
EQ plays a big part. You have to spend some time finding a setting that will "accommodate" both finger style and slap. Some players use two different eq settings and switch back and forth with a pedal .
Also check you're technique and make sure you're attacking the strings cleanly when slapping. Make sure there's just enough attack to get that "slap" sound. Hitting too light doesn't give you that tight slap sound.
hope this helps..........
 
#3
I had a similar problem and realized that what I was hearing was not so much a volume problem, but had more to do with the timbre of the style. Slap is mostly percussive, not so much pitch. I have found that slap does not work In situations that need a big fat sustained note. I am still working on it and thought I would offer my experience... Good luck!
 
#4
Cheers for the feedback, yeah I think dulouz has hit the nail on the head. My finger style is heavy, so I would need to match that with my slapping alright. By thumbing is heavy enough I feel, I've tried moving the point at where I strike the string to find the most effective place.
I think it may also be the action on my guitar. I've a musicman stingray 5. Have never really been happy with the sound out of it! I seem to be a rare breed tho because all I see is praise for it.
I think I will change bass tho, thinking maybe a warwick corvette or a cort.
Not much of a gear/tech head mind you, so lacking a bit in knowledge.
 
#5
mantekka said:
I think I will change bass tho, thinking maybe a warwick corvette or a cort.
Not much of a gear/tech head mind you, so lacking a bit in knowledge.
Click to expand...

I play a Cort C5 right now. I wanted a decent gigging bass that could take some abuse. It plays and sounds great. The bridge has a strange design and the neck is a little unpredictable. I got a really good deal on it, $350 brand new, so I don't mind.
 
#6
You can add a preamp with slap switch to your new bass :)
I think that you are EQ'ing with more mids than bass and treble, specially if you have a stingray 5 with a cermic HB. Mids will cut through better (fingerstyle), while lows and highs will help when slapping.
I have a Spector Legend 5 and sometimes have the same problem. I think the best solution is a volume or Eq pedal.
Also could be that, as our 5 string basses have tighter str spacing we slap ''softer'', but I don't think so...
 
#8
mantekka said:
Cheers for the feedback, yeah I think dulouz has hit the nail on the head. My finger style is heavy, so I would need to match that with my slapping alright. By thumbing is heavy enough I feel, I've tried moving the point at where I strike the string to find the most effective place.
I think it may also be the action on my guitar. I've a musicman stingray 5. Have never really been happy with the sound out of it! I seem to be a rare breed tho because all I see is praise for it.
I think I will change bass tho, thinking maybe a warwick corvette or a cort.
Not much of a gear/tech head mind you, so lacking a bit in knowledge.
Click to expand...

I just had to say this is the first time I've heard anyone say they don't like the sound of a musicman...and a stingray to boot! IMO (and I own 2 of them) these are the most versitle sounding basses on the market and I have not heard a better slap sound in a long time. I think if you spend the time get to know your MM you will find there is all kinds of tones available there. :D
I have a Fender that I doctored up and that is the only Fender I will ever play again. My musicman basses have me covered for everything else. :hyper: IMHO I believe you would be moving backwards going to another bass. :rollno: Being "not much of a gear/tech head" as you put it, please do all the research before you make a decision that you may regret later.

I hope this helps. Best wishes to you! :bassist:
 
#11
I think the room you are playing in coupled with what you are playing on can cause you problems as well in terms of getting "the slap" sound. One of our house gigs is a restaurant with high ceilings, lots of glass, and cement walls. They also have us up on a hollow riser. The sound bounces everywhere and swallows the low mids. Also, it helps to create arrangements that are condusive to slap bass. Having 2 guitarists who love their low mids and the wah rhythm parts cn and will wash you out no matter how loudly you play. slapping the low notes will be muddy and your pops will be inaudible. Have your guitarists roll off their low mids and play sparser comp parts. Also, as much as you can, get your amp off the floor and closer to your head. Then turn your volume down a little. Everything will seem hotter at that point. As previous folks have said, relax and play with a light touch.
Hope this helps a little.
 
#15
I may be a little late on the matter, I didn't read the whole way through. However, if not I may offer some advice. Do you by chance has a built in compressor on your amp because if you disable it for slapping it'll give you more pop and more attack. My compressor cuts it because it detects it as an afront to my speakers.
 
#16
I had the exact same problem until I purchased a MIM Fender Jazz. The volume is equal throughout the full range of the bass and equal throughout all techniques slapping included. If you don't like the sound of your instrument then by all means change it. It is a very personal thing and no one can tell you you are wrong.
 
#17
mantekka said:
I think it may also be the action on my guitar.
Click to expand...

Any thoughts on this? I'm a fingerstyle player and never been able to slap to save my life. My action is fairly high (a little higher than typical "to spec" setup) because I hit the strings fairly hard. I have the low volume problem... I know a lot of slappers use really low action - is this part of my problem?

And Ray - thanks for your column with Bass Musician magazine!
 

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