Please define “slam”

[tripp2k]

I’ve seen the term “slam” used fairly regularly and was curious if it is well defined. How do you define it?

Guitar and drums have been my primary instruments but changing to bass due to hand issues. I use Mesa D800+ as primary and Mark Bass LM3 as backup into Ampeg Pro Neo 1x15 cabs. Not sure if I’m achieving slam with this gear.

 

[bholder]

Context? An event like a "poetry slam"? A particularly artery-clogging breakfast at Denny's? I mean, give us a hint??

 

[LetItGrowTone]

With regard to what it is, even whether or not it exists, and what equipment produces it, you won't get a good answer.
It's been argued strenuously by even the most qualified people here, with inconclusive results.

 

[lug]

Slam is equal parts mojo, grit, and attack combined with slightly less zing and a dash of pow!

 

[Snaxster]

I’ve seen the term “slam” used fairly regularly and was curious if it is well defined. How do you define it?

Guitar and drums have been my primary instruments but changing to bass due to hand issues. I use Mesa D800+ as primary and Mark Bass LM3 as backup into Ampeg Pro Neo 1x15 cabs. Not sure if I’m achieving slam with this gear.

Hello. Albeit "slam" is not a standard in my bass amp lexicon, I believe that it means the authority and immediacy of an amp's presentation of the frequency spectrum from the low midrange on down.

Authority alone is not enough; that would be, for example, "heft". It is the simultaneity of authority and immediacy that comprises "slam". For me, a bass amp's slam is showcased well by light touch/high volume playing.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Did you just misspell spam, perhaps.

 

[bholder]

Now I've (rarely) heard "slammin'" used, I don't think I've heard "slam" used to describe characteristics of a bass rig. Your rig sounds like it ought to be decent sounding, though, for whatever that's worth.

 

[TNCreature]

Please use "Slam" in a sentence.

 

[two fingers]

Hello. Albeit "slam" is not a standard in my bass amp lexicon, I believe that it means the authority and immediacy of an amp's presentation of the frequency spectrum from the low midrange on down.

Authority alone is not enough; that would be, for example, "heft". It is the simultaneity of authority and immediacy that comprises "slam". For me, a bass amp's slam is showcased well by light touch/high volume playing.

This is actually pretty well-stated, if I understand the concept properly. "Slam" a good combination of heft and definition. Either/or wouldn't get it done.

So, I would say a nice old Fender amp does not "slam". Sure, it will have some warmth and heft to the tone. But the attack and definition would not be there. I've read that MarkBass amps have plenty of clarity and definition, but lack "booty" (heft). (I have zero personal experience to back that up.)

Probably the most notable amp that most have experienced "slam" from would be older GK 800/400 RB amps. They seem to be universally accepted as having both beef/heft and clarity/definition.... aka "slam".

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I usually think of it as a quick attack, more of a modern tone in genres like urban gospel (ten years from now when I'm running for president I'm going to get in trouble for saying urban gospel, but I think that's the accepted and desired term now, right?) The opposite end of the spectrum would be amps that have more of a vintage "bloom". I associate "slam" more with solid state amps into 10" speakers and "bloom" tube amps into 15" speakers.

 

[Hot Rats]

Please use "Slam" in a sentence.

You wanna slam some beers?

 

[tripp2k]

This is actually pretty well-stated, if I understand the concept properly. "Slam" a good combination of heft and definition. Either/or wouldn't get it done.

So, I would say a nice old Fender amp does not "slam". Sure, it will have some warmth and heft to the tone. But the attack and definition would not be there. I've read that MarkBass amps have plenty of clarity and definition, but lack "booty" (heft). (I have zero personal experience to back that up.)

Probably the most notable amp that most have experienced "slam" from would be older GK 800/400 RB amps. They seem to be universally accepted as having both beef/heft and clarity/definition.... aka "slam".

One of the uses of slam I’ve seen was in a thread on G-K XXX-RB units.

 

[ELG60]

My definition:

Yeah, wiseguy answer, but of all my amps, this one has the immediacy and impact above all 7 of my other bass heads and they include some pretty good pieces of gear including Mesa, GK, and a '71 SVT.

Now if you want to know what I bring to the gig . . . That's a different story.

 

[Kevorargh]

I would say that, according to these definitions here, your Mesa should achieve "slam". It has heft and definition plus, as a buddy of mine who played through it at a gig said. "It growls in all the right places."

 

[Michedelic]

 

[five7]

My Mesa Carbine M6 could slam.

 

[TheReceder]

You wanna slam some beers?

It's really hard to not like that post.

 

[Hot Rats]

It's really hard to not like that post.

I get lucky once in a while..

 

[Wicked G]

View attachment 4470037

This is an excellent example of what you feel on stage from certain amps at higher volume. Not all amps give you this which is why many don't understand.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I’ve seen the term “slam” used fairly regularly and was curious if it is well defined. How do you define it?

Guitar and drums have been my primary instruments but changing to bass due to hand issues. I use Mesa D800+ as primary and Mark Bass LM3 as backup into Ampeg Pro Neo 1x15 cabs. Not sure if I’m achieving slam with this gear.

Defined? Yes. Well? No. It’s like “in mint condition”. It means different things to different people.

To me “slam” describes a physical property, more so than a tonal quality. Like a slug in the gut as opposed to being pressed and or vibrated.