Slap Tone Help

[Geo0321]

HELP!!!
Just got a new Ampeg 4x10 cab accompanied by the PF350 and a fairly new MIM Jazz Bass. As a Chili Peppers fan, I've grown to love slap, but one thing, I cant get a good sound out of my amp. Ive tried so many things from EQ, to adjusting the string action, but nothings working. Whenever I slap with my thumb (Usually on the E and A strings), I get this horrible clack sound. When I pop, there's nothing bad, but the slap is just horrible. One thing I haven't tried are new strings, the ones on might be old, I bought the bass used anyways.
Someone please help, I'm going nuts.

 

[baTassi]

Newer strings would certainly help, but is not a must.
It's hard to tell withou knowing how are EQing the amp and, the most important, how are you actually doing the slap (where are to hitting the string how hard, etc).
There are a lot of factors here, try to bring more info a few questiosn comes to mind:

-Where are you hitting the tring? (Over the fretboard, close to it, far, etc)
-How is the action of the strings? (low, high)
-Does this happen with all the trings?
-Does it sounds equally bad with all pickups combinations?
-How high are the pickups?

Also, this may sound silly but, did you tried this with headphones? Whn I started I was very frustrated with the Slap tone becuse it always sounded horrible. One day I recorded it and realized it actually sounded good. I realized that was putting me off was all the acustic noise from the strings that wasn't really going through the amp. When I tried with the band, with higer volume and other instruments arround (specially the drum) it was the same, sounded perfectly.
I don't know how much experience do you have, but that might be a thing to consider

 

[Geo0321]

Newer strings would certainly help, but is not a must.
It's hard to tell withou knowing how are EQing the amp and, the most important, how are you actually doing the slap (where are to hitting the string how hard, etc).
There are a lot of factors here, try to bring more info a few questiosn comes to mind:

-Where are you hitting the tring? (Over the fretboard, close to it, far, etc)
-How is the action of the strings? (low, high)
-Does this happen with all the trings?
-Does it sounds equally bad with all pickups combinations?
-How high are the pickups?

Also, this may sound silly but, did you tried this with headphones? Whn I started I was very frustrated with the Slap tone becuse it always sounded horrible. One day I recorded it and realized it actually sounded good. I realized that was putting me off was all the acustic noise from the strings that wasn't really going through the amp. When I tried with the band, with higer volume and other instruments arround (specially the drum) it was the same, sounded perfectly.
I don't know how much experience do you have, but that might be a thing to consider

Wow man thanks for the detailed, quick response...
So first off, I slap near the fretboard, closer to there than the neck pickup.
Next off, i have a pretty low action to get those metallic tones, but not too low where you cant slide.
Thirdly it happens on my E and A (More so on E) ONLY when I slap with my thumb.
Fourth, I only use both pickups, never thought of using one.
Lastly I'm not really sure how high my pickups are in regard to whatever the standard is.

And yes I have used compression ear buds and it's still there, but not as prominent.
Thanks again for the quick reply.

 

[Mushroo]

Have you considered lessons? If your slapping makes a "horrible clack sound," that's not something you can fix with EQ or amp settings, it's a technique issue. Possibly you are hitting the strings too hard (a common rookie mistake), or maybe choking them so the tone doesn't ring out.

If one-on-one lessons are an impossibility (maybe there are no good slap instructors in your town) then here is the next best thing:



In any case, be patient and forgiving with yourself. Nobody buys a bass and sounds like Flea overnight. It takes years of dedicated practice to be a slap expert. Good luck and please keep us updated with your progress.

 

[baTassi]

Wow man thanks for the detailed, quick response...
So first off, I slap near the fretboard, closer to there than the neck pickup.
Next off, i have a pretty low action to get those metallic tones, but not too low where you cant slide.
Thirdly it happens on my E and A (More so on E) ONLY when I slap with my thumb.
Fourth, I only use both pickups, never thought of using one.
Lastly I'm not really sure how high my pickups are in regard to whatever the standard is.

And yes I have used compression ear buds and it's still there, but not as prominent.
Thanks again for the quick reply.

Any time, glad to help!

The first thing you can try is to hit the string a little bit lighter, if I have to get I would say the issue is there (we all fall into that). Especially if you have lots action.
Then, slap is a very mid range focus thing so, although it should sound fine regardless your EQ settings, don't go crazy with high frequencies since those tend to add a lot of string noise.

I think those are the first to thing you should try so you don't have to Mrs with the bass set up or spend any money. Only then I would explore other options (compressors are very popular for slap)

 

[M Sterling]

Definitely change the strings before trying anything else!

 

[Wasnex]

A So first off, I slap near the fretboard, closer to there than the neck pickup.

B Next off, i have a pretty low action to get those metallic tones, but not too low where you cant slide.
B Thirdly it happens on my E and A (More so on E) ONLY when I slap with my thumb.

C Fourth, I only use both pickups, never thought of using one.

D Lastly I'm not really sure how high my pickups are in regard to whatever the standard is.

A Try slapping slightly over the fingerboard or using a lighter technique.

B If the action is too low the strings will not ring.

C You can use both pickups but roll one of them back a bit. When the level of both pickups is equal, there is some phase cancellation in the signal.

D If the strings strike the pole pieces on some pickups a nasty clacking sound will result. I don't think this is a problem on standard JB pickups. Press the strings to the pole pieces to find out. Can you fret the string at the last fret on the neck without the string coming in contact with the pickup? If not, then your pickups are definitely too high.

 

[Geo0321]

Have you considered lessons? If your slapping makes a "horrible clack sound," that's not something you can fix with EQ or amp settings, it's a technique issue. Possibly you are hitting the strings too hard (a common rookie mistake), or maybe choking them so the tone doesn't ring out.

If one-on-one lessons are an impossibility (maybe there are no good slap instructors in your town) then here is the next best thing:



In any case, be patient and forgiving with yourself. Nobody buys a bass and sounds like Flea overnight. It takes years of dedicated practice to be a slap expert. Good luck and please keep us updated with your progress.

thanks man good advice

 

[schietschijfje]

This video helped me so much with my technique. I also use a compressor when slapping to even out volume of the slap and pop and boost the signal.

 

[Mark_70]

Agree with the recommendation to look at pickup height.. The click may come from the string hitting the pup?! Try lowering the pickups (increasing distance between string & pup). Should be easy to do by means of the small screws on the side of the pickups.

Regards
Mark