• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

My tapping sounds like poop!

#21
Of all those players I think the only one I've heard more than a couple of minutes of is John Entwistle, who sounded good for a while until he gained enough money and influence to completely over-engineer and ruin his bass sound, so I suppose he's not a good example.
 
#23
Or alternately, check out the track Turrican by Andy C Saxton on Youtube - a great blend of many techniques including tapping. He has a very reliable technique. Don't let the effects fool you, most effects don't clarify the sound of bad tapping technique, they usually exaggerate the errors.
 
#25
kevteop said:
I've seen a couple of Andy Saxton's videos before and has very advanced technique but I don't like the sound of him tapping either. :)
Click to expand...

clearly you just don't like tapping. I can respect that. But that'd usually be a hint you shouldn't comment on a thread asking for advice most likely from people who enjoy tapping.
I myself go for the technique where both hands are perpendicular with the strings, parallel with the frets, and try to use all my fingers as opposed to just index and middle finger. I don't think it's a party trick, rather to what other posters have said, it's a way to expand your versatility as a bassist and play more complicated parts.
 
#26
MustacheJoeII said:
This implies that ancient Fenders with passive electronics and an Ampeg SVT rig is inferior. A "quality bass" must have "low action, hifi tonal orientation, active."

Please qualify if ancient Fenders are inferior in only the tapping method, or in general. Many posters will put you on the Crux for this.
Click to expand...
Don't get your feelings hurt my friend, I think you misread me. It is my opinion that some basses are designed with characteristics that facilitate easy tapping and others are great for what they do in other areas, but might not be the ideal tapping machines.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sergius Durante
#27
kevteop said:
Of all those players I think the only one I've heard more than a couple of minutes of is John Entwistle, who sounded good for a while until he gained enough money and influence to completely over-engineer and ruin his bass sound, so I suppose he's not a good example.
Click to expand...

So if you have hardly ever listened to the artists, do you feel you are in a position to cast judgement or provide opinions based off only a few minutes of work out of an artist's entire career? Which, given the artists mentioned, each musician does indeed have a long and successful career.

If you have nothing useful to add, other than your blatant dislike for the technique, why continue adding to the discussion?

:rollno:
 
#30
I tap on an American Deluxe jazz 5 string. It sounds pretty good. I've been building up strength in my right hand. What songs/riffs do you all practice to? I need more stuff (other than the youtube vids). Suggesions?
 
#34
Not that I do a lot of this, but all of the "successful" tappers seem to rely on compression to get their fingerstyle and tapping on a level playing field, dynamics-wise. Unless you have a super-light touch fingerstyle, you'll probably need to look into this as well.
 
#35
takeout said:
Not that I do a lot of this, but all of the "successful" tappers seem to rely on compression to get their fingerstyle and tapping on a level playing field, dynamics-wise. Unless you have a super-light touch fingerstyle, you'll probably need to look into this as well.
Click to expand...

On the flip side, you can really strike when you tap to even it out that way as well. I find that striking hard is good for a solid, clear note, but I personally get fatigued rather quickly doing so. Explains why I don't tap much.
 
#37
I'm not the greatest tapper in the world (actually not very good at all), but I've
been messing around with it for quite a while now.

The best sound (piano tone) that I have gotten so far is on my cheap practice bass with a piezo bridge pickup and Fender Tapewound strings.
It's tuned up tenor (ADGC).

I add some chorus which I think fills out the sound and I back the Bass off on my amp and leave the Mids/Treble where they are.

I suggest that you turn your knobs and see what happens, the worse thing will be that you don't like the tone and have to turn them back.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back