P Bass for slapping?

it's the bass, trust me, I just sold my p because of its slap tone

 

There is probably nothing wrong with your technique. A P-bass doesn't have a pickup closer to the bridge like many basses, so it's slap tone is not as snappy and bright as many other basses.

 

It's the bass. Our schools bass was a Slammer P-bass. It was horrible for slap, and just plain horrible for everything. Why do school buy such nice brass equipment and such crappy bass/guitar equipment?

 

I hope you are joking.

 

He doesn't know any better. He will learn in time.

 

Let's hope so.

 

Steve Harris?

 

Amen Danny!

P-bass' are good for rock.

STEVE HARRIS RULEZ

 

I dig the P bass slap tone, so different strokes I guess.


I find that a Pbass is only as versatile as your playing hand.

If you have lousy, noisy technique then no it will sound like it has one sound that can only change through use of the tone control. Conversely, if you have great technique and a many different plucking styles you can find tons of great tones.

A few of the more easy to coax out sounds are:

1. Thumpy Motown sound
2. Palm muted riff rock tone
3. Smooth RnB tone
4. Thick Entwistle rock sound

The harder tones to get are:

1. Sharp/Crisp Marcus style slap tones (can be had with the right fretboard, amp eq, and steel roundwound strings)
2. Thin Jacoesque tone (right eq, and playing back by the bridge)
3. Tapping tone that isn't too thick


Take my advice with a grain of salt though.

 

Though your technique is just one of many factors. type of pup, wood, strings. It can't all just be technique. Though it is a major part.

 

slapping on a pbass will give you that hollow vintage slap sound...some people like it, i personally think its too clunky...

 

There was this decade called the '70s when a form of music called Disco was popular... P Basses were quite often the bass of choice and were slapped silly.

A new set of roundwound strings would probably help a whole lot.

Remember, it's all about attitude...slap with attitude and you'll be fine!!!

 

i have a p bass special that i slap on. maybe its because i learned to slap on it. so i think its weird to slap on like a music man or some bass like that. although it is nice and fun.

i have the p on to slap, not the j. when i have the j on, it sounds tooo thin and toooo fragile and just hurts the ears.


p bass for life.

 

Why is that? Ever listened to the Meters?

 

I'm in agreement with the P slap haters... I was reminded of how much I dislike Slap P tone today when I was wanking at the local music store. Then, I picked up an Epiphone EBO and absolutely loved the slap tone... too bad those things are so ugly (IMO).
Point: If you are prefer J or dual-coil humbucker slap tone, than chances are that a P bass is not going to make you happy. P basses are great, just not for me.

 

Try with them both on. I put both of mine on full, and I love my slap tone

 

I think slapped P's sound much better than slapped J's, but then I'm weird.

 

I daresay if you listen to many of the Funk and Disco hits of the 70's, you'll hear a lot of funky bass lines being slapped on a P-Bass. At least I do. IMO The P-Bass has a pretty good slap tone, but I'd probably prefer the Jazz for all-out slapping.

That being said, I'm a terrible slapper.
But IMO the P-Bass' tone works very well in a wide range of styles.

 

Come on now. Chuck Rainey slapped on a 57 precision for years before he added a back pickup. Bobby Watson sounded great on his P bass slapped and plucked. It may not be as snappy as a jazz bass slapped or the active basses of today, but I love the way you can slap a P and get the thump even if the high snap isn't as snappy.