Slap/pop on a narrow string spacing

[The Hobo of Oz]

Hello!
I am currently playing a bass with a 19 string spacing, will it be more difficult to slap and pop on a bass with a string spacing at 16-17?

(Sorry for my bad english, it's not my first language)

 

[Baird6869]

Definately for most people it will be harder. 19mm is the standard for most players.

I'm sure a few TBers will chime in saying how easy it is to slap on something like 14mm spacing, but the vast majority of us would likely prefer 19mm for slap.

 

[The Hobo of Oz]

I have heard that a narrow spacing will help if you have small hands (which I have), but I mainly slap and that's why I asked, thanks for the answer

 

[DiMarco]

Both 19mm and 16mm (17.5 if you adjust your 5 string bridge on a Warwick) stringspacing have their pro's and cons. I play on both and nowadays have no problems with it any longer but the 16mm did take quite some getting used to.

Ergo: It can be done but will take time if you're used to normal stringspacing.

 

[thiocyclist]

Because I don't slap often I prefer a tighter spacing that makes fingerstyle more efficient. 17.5 mm is a great trade-off spacing but, I know people will roll their eyes, I have done some slap/pop on 14 mm spacing before and nobody gave me any guff about it at the time.

 

[Joe Nerve]

My experience is that in most cases if you're really used to one thing and change it, it's going to be a bit more difficult. My experience is also that if you commit to whatever is changed, it will become just as easy as what you're presently used to. That's applied to me with 4 vs 5 strings, different neck profiles, AND different string spacing. For me the only challenge (if I'd even call it that) is committing to the new instrument.

 

[Musicman20]

Practice.

 

[Roscoe East]

From my experience, narrow string spacing doesn't have much impact on one's ability to slap...but it does dramatically impact one's ability to pop.

 

[GeorgeBerlin]

From my experience, narrow string spacing doesn't have much impact on one's ability to slap...but it does dramatically impact one's ability to pop.

This!

Even with 19mm I have a hard time popping intermediate strings and with 16mm it's just hopeless... lack of proper technique, of course. My only 5er (16mm spacing) is a fretless so I don't care too much...

 

[Splods]

The way I pop involves actually putting my hand horizontally parallel to the string and then pulling with my finger underneath and to the side, so popping on a narrow spacing would be impossible with smaller spacings.

 

[TOOL460002]

If it makes you feel any better, I've been playing about 20 years, and I couldn't slap cleanly on a 5er to save my life. But a ton of people can. Practice makes perfect and stuff.

 

[Freightshaker]

My skinny fingers didn't take long to adjust and make clean pops. Few people regret learning a different type of bass. You can always sell or trade down the road if you find that spacing isn't your thing.

 

[enricogaletta]

Hey there,
well the 19 mm is the most versatile and comfortable strings spacing, especially if you like to pluck the strings even on D, A or E than just the G.
I know some fellas doing pretty good on that strings spacing, at the end it's just a personal approach.
The things is that is more easy to get used play on 16-17-18 five strings spacing if you start from the begin on that measure that if you switch from a wide or regular 5's.
And the most important thing is that the bass with the small spacing need to be your main instrument, it's the only way to get used to play it good and fast as a wide bass.
But, if you're planning to play back and forth from plus-strings basses, with a different spacing, it will be hard to be able to play the smallest one in the way you think.
For me 19 is the must, I can't even play like I want on 18 or 18.5 spacing, because I already feel the difference on my hands, but as I told you it's just my personal approach on the bass, as everyone has.
Play on smallest strings spacing bass, especially particular things, require time and practice, but nothing it's impossible.
Good luck.
www.enricogaletta.com

 

[The Hobo of Oz]

Thank you guys!

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I slap my LB76 with 16.5mm spacing, while it can be done it is quite difficult to keep things nice and clean. If you wanted to get great at it, one definitely could.

 

[DanPearse]

check out Jean's slapping on the ol' 11 string.
Does anybody know the spacing on his 11 string?

 

[groooooove]

you can get used to almost anything.

i had an early 90's carvin with 16mm (i think?) spacing, i recall at first i felt "okay, great bass, but i guess i wont be slapping." but after a bit of time (it was my main for a year or so) it was no problem.