I really like slapping and popping. I am a fairly moderate bass player and I just bought a 5 string, a Peavey Grind BXP 5 string, but I have always had trouble slapping on it. I keep hitting wrong strings, doesn't give good sound, ETC. Should I be using a different bass? What are your ideal slap basses?
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Slappin' de bass
- Thread starter Wolfpackleader6
- Start date
a diffrent bass wont fix anything
just keep at it
and eventually your hands will get used to the motion
just keep at it
and eventually your hands will get used to the motion
Go try an Ibanez BTB 5'er at the music store. Make sure it's a mid to high level one. I think the string spacing is wider which really helps when learning slap. They have a great sound for slapping. There's some nice ones on ebay as well. Once your technique is refined then playing narrower spacing is not much of a problem.
If you can't slap accurately on a 4 string (as in only hitting the string you're trying to hit) then you won't be able to do it on a 5 string. If your technique is such that you can't slap accurately, your form probably won't produce a good sound no matter what you slap.
just practice, or at least try another bass before making any buying/selling decisions
just practice, or at least try another bass before making any buying/selling decisions
I don't know how a Peavey Grind feels, but there are some basses that are more uncomfortable to slap than others IMO. Thunderbird and Violin style basses are pretty awkward for slapping. I love my MM Stingray. Probably one of the best slapping basses I've ever played was a Tobias Classic.
Just practice more. I started on tight spaced bass, got frustrated and bought a wide spaced base and then realized I liked the tighter spacing much better. I'm way faster and more articulate on the tighter spacing. It's frustrating as hell but just keep at it.
Just keep at it man. Switching to a lighter guage string might be a cheap way to make things easier on you for now though.
