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Slappin on 6?

allenhumble

allenhumble

Oct 22, 2004
2,603
1,616
45
Acworth GA.
#1
I currently play a 5 sting. I am planning on haveing a bass built after the first of the year and am considering stepping up to a 6er. Problem is that I do play slap quite often. Does anyone have any experience with this. is it difficult or is it no different then when I trnsfered from 4 to 5?
 
#2
allenhumble said:
I currently play a 5 sting. I am planning on haveing a bass built after the first of the year and am considering stepping up to a 6er. Problem is that I do play slap quite often. Does anyone have any experience with this. is it difficult or is it no different then when I trnsfered from 4 to 5?
Click to expand...
Depends on string spacing, of course, but basically no different .... :cool:
 
#5
It can be done, just ask Alain Caron! FWIW, I think it's quite a bit harder than the switch between 4 and 5 string basses. When you switch between 4 and 5 all you have to do is adjust where you've aiming your thumb. When you start playing a 6 you need to account for that C string, which will force you to tighten up your popping accuracy. In time though, it becomes fluid and natural and easy enough to do!
 
#10
I've tried an ibanez sr 506:
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It's the only 6 string i've seen in my local highstreet. It has quite a narrow string spacing but i had no problem slapping on it. It shouldn't be too hard to get used to different spacings if you spend enough time getting accustomed.

One exercise i do in general is: E, G, E, D, E, A, E, D etc. (Open strings). that could help quite a bit (For 6 it'd be: B,C,B,G,B,D,B,A,B,E etc.)
Hope that makes sense :)

(The sr 506 has 16.5mm string spacing)
 
#11
allenhumble said:
What is the most common string spacing for a 6?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure there is a "most common" spacing, but I would tend to guess that the spacing is generally a bit tighter than a typical Fender 4 string configuration. I have had 6's with 19mm, 18mm, 17.5mm and 17mm. For me, I prefer a bit wider spacing so I usually don't go below an 18mm. Personal preferences, YMMV, etc ... :cool:
 
#13
If your going to get a 6 string, the best 6 string ive played for slapping is the BTB. My 5 string spacing is realy wide so youur fingers rarely get cuaght when you pop and slapping the individual E and A is easy. You can tell just by looking at any bass if its going to be easy to slap or not.
 
#14
Something I used to see mentioned but not so much lately is the fret count. I have a Fender Jazz 5 w/20 frets which slaps much better(for me)than my 24-fret Stambaugh 6. I'm just talking feel here- I think the 5's tone is better suited as well, but the 20 fret basses I've played seem to offer a more ideal right hand position for slapping(closer to the middle of the string's length). Something to consider perhaps, particularly if you intend to use this bass mainly for slap. What would benefit you more- those last 2-4 frets or a better slapper?
 

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