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Slap Bass Recommendations?

Z

zulujack

Jul 25, 2008
89
2
www.myspace.com
#1
OK here is the deal. I need a new bass and I need one specifically for slapping. For years I have been throwing in the occasional bit of slapping in our live shows and its always been a compromise. The music I play ranges from funk rock to straight blues and I almost exclusively use 5 string Jazz Basses set up for that style of playing. I use fairly heavy strings (55-135) and either Basslines, or SD single coils with a more traditional, warm JB tone. The problem I have is that neither the action nor tone is ideal for a more percussive or slapping style of playing. So I've just decided you can always have another bass, so I'll just get one specifically for slapping. What I want to do is forget about what's available model, or brand wise, and just start with a blank sheet of paper. I thought it would be a good idea to get some opinions from TB, as you all seem to be a fairly knowledgeable bunch. So what I need is recommendations on the following attributes that would make the ideal Wooton/Miller sounding slapper:

- Body wood
- Neck/Fret board wood, frets, scale, etc.
- PUs and Electronics, including routing position
- Strings make, material, and gauge
- Hardware
- Any thing else I have missed

Lets leave the amp setup out of the equation for now.:bassist:
 
#2
Body wood: Ash is renowned for making great slap bass bodies, a bit scooped (think MM, Wooten, etc...)

Neck: Maple neck is a must here for the snap and high frequency needed, although the aggressive ash could be good too. Fret board, IMO maple is best again for a slap bass. Ebony is not bad but it's a bit compressed and when you want to slap, if you have a good technique, you want punch and nuance. Frets, I don't know, scale, I heard people complaining about short scale neck for slapping, maybe stick with good ole' 34''.

PUs: jazz single coils. Again, these have made their proofs, no need to argue here. BUT, a MM style humbucker could be good too, the Stingray has a very nice slap tone too. 70's placement is somewhat preferred for slappers, giving extra treble I heard.

Strings: well, stainless steel are great for the sizzle with maybe try lighter gauge.

Hardware: ? don't think it's relevant.


Well, I want to talk companies now. Many many people say that the Sadowsky got a killer slap tone and I have to agree with them and the action can be set crazy low. The metros (V and UV) were great and had a true nice slap tone. But, the Lakland Skyline DJ is also a GREAT slap machine right out of the box and are pretty inexpensive (even better is the older with the Aero's). Don't know much about the setup possibilities on these though. If you want to go in the more boutique stuff, MTD's are known for great slap aggressive tone.
 
#5
Ultimate slap tone:

32" scale length (this will be a point of contention, but I've heard it and it works really, really well)
Walnut body
Ash neck
Birdseye Maple Fingerboard
Set neck (bolt on works, too, I just prefer set necks for playability)
Bartolini or EMG pickups
Aguilar preamp
Fodera Victor Wooten Signature Series Strings
 
#8
zulujack said:
Isn't that an Ash Body + Maple/Maple neck?
Click to expand...

Stingrays have a different configurations and plenty of rosewood fb models. Flea does plenty good with rosewood. He also does quite well with graphite/modulus. I have a buddy who's a phenomenal musician and bassist who cranks out incredible slap tones with two different moduluses, and had no problem tearing it up with my MIA jazz deluxe with dimarzio ultra js and a rosewood fb. I have no doubt he could get righteous slap tones from some strings nailed to a treated pine 2x4...
 
#9
lethargytartare said:
Stingrays have a different configurations and plenty of rosewood fb models. Flea does plenty good with rosewood. He also does quite well with graphite/modulus. I have a buddy who's a phenomenal musician and bassist who cranks out incredible slap tones with two different moduluses, and had no problem tearing it up with my MIA jazz deluxe with dimarzio ultra js and a rosewood fb. I have no doubt he could get righteous slap tones from some strings nailed to a treated pine 2x4...
Click to expand...

Yea I know people like that too... freaks who can make anything sound good! IMO though I'm not a big fan of flea's work or his sound - too much aggression, and not enough finesse. Just not my taste though (I'm not saying he is crap either). I guess I'm more after the Wooton/Miller sound with crisp highs and plenty of color + a range of percussive sounds.
 
#10
lethargytartare said:
Stingrays have a different configurations and plenty of rosewood fb models. Flea does plenty good with rosewood. He also does quite well with graphite/modulus. I have a buddy who's a phenomenal musician and bassist who cranks out incredible slap tones with two different moduluses, and had no problem tearing it up with my MIA jazz deluxe with dimarzio ultra js and a rosewood fb. I have no doubt he could get righteous slap tones from some strings nailed to a treated pine 2x4...
Click to expand...

I was thinking of the Sterling Ray 35. Sounds like a good bass at a reasonable price.
 
#11
Personally, I'd bet with a lighter gage string and a few tweaks on your amp,pre, or the bass itself, and you could get a good slap tone out of what you have. The Jazz basses I've played on seemed to all be able to get a good slap tone out of them with the right settings. I remember being thoroughly impressed with the Squire VM Jazz when I found one in a GC...and I'm one of the few that really don't dig Fender or Squire. What basses do you have?

When I think slap the basses that come to mind are EBMM's, Fender Jazzes, and the Modulus Flea's (Funk Unlimited). I have the latter and it def has a great slap tone.
 
#13
I honestly think that the two basses most used and that have the most distinctive slap tone are the Jazz bass (Fender or otherwise) and the EBMM Stingray.

However, you said that you want a sound similar to Wooten or Miller and for that I wholeheartedly suggest a Spector Euro 4LX which does both tones really well. Victor and Marcus have VERY different slap tones and many factors go into them the most significant IMO being, technique and string gauge. Marcus plays mediums (i think) while Victor plays super lights. My Euro 4LX is strung with light Ken Smith Burners and can approximate both tones quite nicely. In fact I'd say that for the Marcus tone, short of getting a MM Jazz bass this is about the closest you'll get. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.
 
#14
MNAirHead said:
Out of the zillions basses I've owned 35" scale quality carbon (not wood) necks seemed to trump everything else -- every time.
Click to expand...

Might be out of my price range, but I do wonder if carbon re-enforement would be a handy thing to have.

Mind you some time ago I had a play on a solid Aluminium bass and that thing would ring like a bell, but then again I may be more of a tight arsed, wood sort of person.
 
#15
Why not try some new/different strings (maybe lighter gauge?) and an outboard Sadowsky preamp? Marcus has the Sadowsky preamp in his bass -- the controls are great for slap. You could score one used and flip it if it wasn't your thing.

Your Jazz basses should be able to get a great tone for slap. Jazz and Stingray are the first two basses that always come to mind for slap. I had a Sadowsky UV70 5-string with a big ash body that had a fantastic slap tone -- one of the best I've heard, though it's not really a big part of my playing.

You also want to factor in your amp/cab into the equation. Some cabs don't do slap so well. I know you said to leave it out, but the wrong cab could make getting a great tone very difficult.
 
#16
zulujack said:
Might be out of my price range, but I do wonder if carbon re-enforement would be a handy thing to have.

Mind you some time ago I had a play on a solid Aluminium bass and that thing would ring like a bell, but then again I may be more of a tight arsed, wood sort of person.
Click to expand...

Just received a USA made GBass in the case for $350 including shipping.

Cheapo import basses will cost you more and perform less.

I own most of the suggested basses... Carbon still seems to be the easiest aswer.
 
#17
zulujack said:
Why 4 srings?

I have plenty of JBs lying around, however I'm after the ultimate slap bass, not just an OK one.
Click to expand...

Although I'm only just starting out, I've read this thread with great interest, as I aspire to be a slapper!!

I suppose there is no single bass that would be THE ultimate slap bass for everyone. Price and value for money will also play a big part in most people's decisions. My main influence to want to play bass is Mark King, so at some point I will be very interested in a Status KingBass. To me (at this moment in time) one of those models would be the ultimate slap bass, but that could easily change in future.
 
#19
I'd have to say that THE most important part about slap tone is the electronics. IMHO, slapping is much more sensitive to pickup types and placement than fingerstyle.

Before you start, I suggest you begin with a more specific tone/style in your head. You mention Wooten and Marcus, but the two cannot be more different in terms of tone.
(I'll make a feeble attempt at descriptions: Wooten is either more hi-fi and weak/twangy (PJ config or Piccolo JJ) or nasally (P only). Marcus, on the other hand, is a lot fatter and glassier.)

Anyways, here's a short list of the most common styles, excluding anything with Wooten or Marcus:

60's Jazz (sadowsky) 60's Jazz (fender) 60's jazz with EMG's
70's Jazz (fender)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] PJ (Pedulla)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Stingray Stingray
Soapbars

I apologize if I sound like I'm trying to "school" you:hiding: (I wouldn't dare)........... I just overexcited going over old videos on youtube! :bassist:
 
#20
Due in no small part to my awful technique, I can only slap 4 strings worth a damn, and even that is pretty mediocre at my most brilliant. I personally like the sound of singles for slap, but obviously this is a taste thing. The best slapper I had was my modulus VJ with passive barts. It had the composite fingerboard and I suspect that had a lot to do with it. Steel rounds on an ash jazz with a graphite neck would be my ultimate pick. I never felt a need for active electronics in mine, but that option is available.
 

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