Which type of bass is best for slap. I was looking for a bass that has a really nice slap tone, is it best to go active or passive for slap?
Cheers
Cheers
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Slap - Active or Passive
- Thread starter Gadolinium
- Start date
I personally goe for a bass with active electronics because of its onboard preamp and 3 band eq. however my warwick is passive and that sounds great so......it all about personal preferance IMO. 
It really depends on the bass for me. I love the tone of a passive Jazz, however the slap tone of a Cirrus or Stingray is sheer perfection also.
...active or passive has little to do with it.
There are lots of basses from both camps that sound great slapped.
There are lots of basses from both camps that sound great slapped.
Why?
Because of the on - board EQ?
...did you ever notice your amp has knobs that do the same thing?
Or is it because of the hotter output (generally speaking) of an active bass?
......newsflash
Your amp has a volume control too. If you need more volume, turn it up. The question at hand is silly. Both active and passive basses can slap well.
Why?
Because of the on - board EQ?
...did you ever notice your amp has knobs that do the same thing?
Or is it because of the hotter output (generally speaking) of an active bass?
......newsflash
The question at hand is silly. Both active and passive basses can slap well.
The onboard EQ and additional volume can be a big help. A lot of active basses have a brighter tone compared to their passive counterparts.
Sure, amps have knobs, but sometimes it's a lot easier to control things from your bass than to rely on a soundman or run to your amp.
Newish roundwound strings are more important than active or passive IMO. If you're just starting, however, active will likely be easier in terms of getting the tone dialed. Once your technique is adequate, I don't think the preamp is necessary. Having said that, Ed Friedland advises active electronics and new roundwounds in the intro to his Ultimate Slap DVD, which I found very helpful.
Gadolinium is a neat name-are you a physicist, rad tech or radiologist?
Gadolinium is a neat name-are you a physicist, rad tech or radiologist?
I agree completely with the comment about strings. IME, DR marcus miller's have a ton of output and a very bright slap tone. As far as active or passive, maybe you should pick a player who's slap tone you really admire, and see whether they play active or passive basses. I don't slap alot, but when I do, I prefer passive basses because they, IMHO, produce a smoother slap tone that to my ears sounds "funkier" and smoother.
+1.
I was going to mention those 3 basses exactly.
You can achieve a good slap sound with both active or passive basses.
+1...active or passive has little to do with it.
There are lots of basses from both camps that sound great slapped.
I slap on a passive Geddy Lee Jazz and 2 active Jazz V's. Both sound great.
+1 also on the active Stingray. They are great for slapping.
I wouldn't recomment a passive P bass for slapping. Some people use them but I MUCH prefer the Jazz.
I'm not a super-slapper, but when I'm playing a passive J-bass on stage, I know I have a slap contour at the ready in my Sansamp BDDI. Just stomp it, slap out a little solo or a fill, then switch it off and keep on groovin'.
Good observation on the issue of fresh strings - they've got that snap and brightness that really brings a slap tone to life.
Good observation on the issue of fresh strings - they've got that snap and brightness that really brings a slap tone to life.
I'm not saying active basses are bad, or that onboard EQ isn't useful, just that the active vs passive argument in relation to slapability is silly.
Very good point regarding strings though. The right strings in good condition can make a significant difference
Actually, Im just a student (little less glamorous), but Im interested in nucleur physics. Maybe one day...
+ 1
You can get a passive bass and run it through an outboad preamp like the Sadowsky DI.
I think string spacing and strings are more important than active/passive. I even think having a bulky bridge is more important.
In general I would say that most people prefer an MM pickup or J pickups and not p pickups for slap (in that order.)
In general I would say that most people prefer an MM pickup or J pickups and not p pickups for slap (in that order.)
