Short scale slapping technique

[Road Hat]

I've never been very good at slapping, but still had it in my tool box just in case. However, now that I've gone exclusively short scale (G&L Fallout), I can't get a decent slap sound. It sounds pinched without a lot of punch or focus. Is it the physics of a short scale that would cause this? I can get a deep and rich sound playing 'normally', so I know the bass is capable of great tones. Are there any corresponding changes in technique to get ~ the same sound as 34" scale length for slapping?Likely it's my slapping technique, but maybe someone has experienced the same issue...

 

[Les Fret]

Ask Stanley!

The technique should be the same on a short scale. It’s hard to answer the question. Can you maybe post a short video?

 

[JonathanPDX]

Scale length doesn't matter that much. Guys like Stu Hamm and Stanley Clarke have gotten great slap tone out of short scale instruments.

I think it's more to do with the setup, strings, and most importantly, technique. If you have big dull flatwounds a inch off the fretboard and you slap them as hard as you can without precision it's likely to sound bad at any scale.

A video would be helpful, there are so many variables when it comes to technique that we'd just be guessing.

 

[SteveCS]

Is it the physics of a short scale that would cause this?

The technique should be the same on a short scale.

The physics are different so the technique will also be slightly different. So I'm quite sure things can never be exactly the same...

Same pitch + same string + shorter scale = less tension and less mass.
Same pitch + same tension + shorter scale = thicker string and same mass.

IMLE, slap tones depend as much on the ability of the string to produce fast transients, 'bounce' anď 'snap' in response to the technique. A thicker or flopper string - both consequences of a short scale tuned to standard pitch - will not respond like a thinner tighter string at the same pitch. There will be either more mass to get moving, or less tension to play on. And that mass/tension combination has a huge impact on attack, sustain, overtone balance and intonation/enharmonicity. So something has to change. Maybe on the short-scale, try tuning up, say solo tuning (F#, B, E, A). This might restore the string response to something closer to long-scale. Otherwise technique will need to adjust a bit. Sure Stanley can slap the shorts, but his slap tone is quite different to that of his long-scale contemporaries. I don't think that is all attributable to the Alembic electronics.

 

[Les Fret]

Scale length doesn't matter that much. Guys like Stu Hamm and Stanley Clarke have gotten great slap tone out of short scale instruments.

I think it's more to do with the setup, strings, and most importantly, technique. If you have big dull flatwounds a inch off the fretboard and you slap them as hard as you can without precision it's likely to sound bad at any scale.

A video would be helpful, there are so many variables when it comes to technique that we'd just be guessing.

I totally agree. I never adjusted much when slapping on short, medium or long scale. If your setup and technique is good it shouldn’t be a problem.

 

[srayb]

Not sure what strings you currently have on (or how old they are) - but it should help if you go with brighter nickel or steel roundwounds.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Not sure what strings you currently have on (or how old they are) - but it should help if you go with brighter nickel or steel roundwounds.

And perhaps lighter gauge roundwound strings.
Some short scale slappers use like 30-90s.

 

[Lesfunk]

Maybe just not hit it as hard
String tension is less so it doesn’t take as much of a thump to make things happen.
Could be you’re hitting it too hard and choking the note?

 

[Killing Floor]

@JonathanPDX mentioned Hamm.
The best slap style bass ever made possibly was the Kubicki ExFactor. It’s a short scale.

What kind of strings do you use?

 

[Spectre Gunner]

The ExFactor is actually a medium scale - 32”.

It’s an excellent bass, especially for slap.

 

[Silky Johnson]

I find thumping my thumb so that it hits the end of the fretboard gives a nicer response from the lower strings, that is on a 24 fret, slightly less ideal on a 21 fret bass

The string choice and setup will be very influential too, low action and fairly straight neck is helpful

 

[micguy]

If slapping didn't work on a short scale, it also wouldn't work on any long scale bass above the 1st fret.

 

[PotsdamBass8]

Are you striking through the string and hitting the fretboard, or just bouncing your thumb off the strings? The latter might be difficult on a short scale.

Also, slapping with a neck only pickup has a unique sound, like it or hate it. If you’re not used to it, that could be part of what you’re hearing.

 

[Road Hat]

And perhaps lighter gauge roundwound strings.
Some short scale slappers use like 30-90s.

The string choice and setup will be very influential too, low action and fairly straight neck is helpful

Thanks for your feedback. I'm running a brand new set of LaBella Roundwounds (RX-N4D-S 30" Short Scale 45-105), which were recommeded by G&L. I do my own setups, and it's totally dialed. Low, fast action, just a small amount of relief, all pole pieces balanced on the MFD pickup, etc. Sonically, the platform is solid, and really kicks out a great tone overall.

 

[Road Hat]

The physics are different so the technique will also be slightly different. So I'm quite sure things can never be exactly the same...

Same pitch + same string + shorter scale = less tension and less mass.
Same pitch + same tension + shorter scale = thicker string and same mass.

IMLE, slap tones depend as much on the ability of the string to produce fast transients, 'bounce' anď 'snap' in response to the technique. A thicker or flopper string - both consequences of a short scale tuned to standard pitch - will not respond like a thinner tighter string at the same pitch. There will be either more mass to get moving, or less tension to play on. And that mass/tension combination has a huge impact on attack, sustain, overtone balance and intonation/enharmonicity. So something has to change. Maybe on the short-scale, try tuning up, say solo tuning (F#, B, E, A). This might restore the string response to something closer to long-scale. Otherwise technique will need to adjust a bit. Sure Stanley can slap the shorts, but his slap tone is quite different to that of his long-scale contemporaries. I don't think that is all attributable to the Alembic electronics.

This feels right to me as to what's happening to me in this circumstance, thanks for your detailed description. I'll try the solo tuning and see what I can coax out!

 

[Road Hat]

Maybe just not hit it as hard
String tension is less so it doesn’t take as much of a thump to make things happen.
Could be you’re hitting it too hard and choking the note?

This is also happening, thanks for the tip. I'll lighten up on my touch and see if that helps.

No doubt that my technique is a highly variable element in this equation. I think it's fair to say I am moderately adequate on slap style, and a video would forever cement my mediocrity (especially on short scale!), but all points are well taken, thanks.