I am getting a p bass w/ a p/j config. I do slap on a coupla songs. I noticed that some of you think a p bass is no good for slapping. What about the P/J setup. Passive by the way.
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P/J for slapping?
- Thread starter louelou
- Start date
I dig the PJ for slapping. Something about both of those pickups together really works. I prefer active to boost/cut where I see fit, but passive can work.
This may surprise you but I like my slap tone with the pickups panned slightly more to the P, with the J still on. Sounds fantastic IMHO.
For a more classic slap style, check out the soundtrack to Hair. The film, no the Broadway. That was an old P with a J pickup mod. Great slap tone.
I think it really depends on the kind of PJ bass/PUPs you're talking about, as they can differ greatly just as any other bass can. For example, I do NOT like the combined PJ slap tone of a Fender Hot Rod P, though some of the older MIJ Ibanez and Yamaha PJ basses I've tried were killer with that combination. Likewise, the combined PJ active tones of a Spector are hard to beat.
Although a P/J is the only bass I've ever had, I rarely use the J pickup for slap/popping (and when I do, it's with a lot of treble rolled off).
I've always found that while adding the bridge pickup really tightened the lower two strings for slapping, the really weak and tinny sound when popping the higher strings was pretty unbearable.
Here's a comparison from Bass Emporium's Ed Friedland, played with a Sadowsky Metro P/J:
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P only
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P+J
I've heard that the popping sounds thin because adding the bridge pickup is going overboard when the treble pickup is already so close to the bridge.
The reverse P design supposedly eliminates this problem (check out the Spector PJ here: Invalid Link Removed)
But I still think the cost of tightening the sound is still too much tinniness.
EDIT:
whoops.. should work on my reading skills..
I agree with most of the replies here. To me, a P sounds better at slapping than most basses.
You can't go wrong with your bass, louelou, so slap the heck out of it!
I've always found that while adding the bridge pickup really tightened the lower two strings for slapping, the really weak and tinny sound when popping the higher strings was pretty unbearable.
Here's a comparison from Bass Emporium's Ed Friedland, played with a Sadowsky Metro P/J:
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P only
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P+J
I've heard that the popping sounds thin because adding the bridge pickup is going overboard when the treble pickup is already so close to the bridge.
The reverse P design supposedly eliminates this problem (check out the Spector PJ here: Invalid Link Removed)
But I still think the cost of tightening the sound is still too much tinniness.
EDIT:
whoops.. should work on my reading skills..
I agree with most of the replies here. To me, a P sounds better at slapping than most basses.
You can't go wrong with your bass, louelou, so slap the heck out of it!
I don't get this business about a Precision not being good for slapping. Where did it come from? I love love love slapping a Precision, way more than I ever did with a Jazz.
Thanks guys. It's a p bass that I'm having a jazz pickup added to. Pickups are passive. I'll keep you all posted. I should have it in 1 to 2 weeks.
I used to play at a church that had a little Japanese Fender active PJ. That bass had about the best slap tone I've heard from a bass under $1000. It was active but I usually just ran the EQ as flat as possible and had both pups on 100%. It was punchy, growly, and had a nice high-end pop to it. I used to bring my Lakland 5'er to play but after a while I just left it home.
There's really only one way to get a good opinion. You have to get a hold of one yourself and play one. Everyone's idea of a good slap tone varies so what may work for me may not work for you. I'd almost guarantee that your bass will have a good tone to it once it's modded. If it doesn't you still have a P bass.
There's really only one way to get a good opinion. You have to get a hold of one yourself and play one. Everyone's idea of a good slap tone varies so what may work for me may not work for you. I'd almost guarantee that your bass will have a good tone to it once it's modded. If it doesn't you still have a P bass.
IMHO one of the best P/J combos in the markets is the Reggie Hamilton Std from Fender. MIA P pups, noiseless J, 18volts and Hipshot drop D. I've owned one for two years great sound.
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That Sadowsky P+J mp3 is a perfect example of how my PJ Fender Hot Rod slap tone sounds as well. I just don't care for it. IMO a standard J slapped with both single coil J PUPs turn on fully smokes that PJ tone. I also agree that a P has a very underrated slap tone.
This one caught my attention as far as the 5 string P Bass for slapping.
Sounds pretty good to me!
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Sounds pretty good to me!
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Ive always hated P/J mainly because its uncomfortable to rest your thumb on because of the screw. If theirs no screw on the top, then it's cool. And it all depends on how close the pickup is to the neck. Further away the better for slap in my opinion.
