Slapping a Precision

[Alban]

Hey all,

I am currently rocking my '59 CS Precision as my main bass. It suits all my songs just fine, but I have been wondering about getting a pedal to get a bit more of a "modern" scooped slap tone for one or two songs which would benefit from that particular sound. I am not expecting any miracles of course; I understand that I won't get any sparkly graphite Statusesque tones from a P bass.

So the question is, what kind of device would do the trick? I have been looking at the Funkulator pedal, which seems to be built specifically for this purpose, but I don't know how well it works on a P bass.

I could just get a decent EQ like the Empress ParaEQ, but it could be overkill for my needs. Do you guys have any ideas on this?

 

[Slackerprince]

The device is called a Jazz bass.

S

 

[Alban]

The device is called a Jazz bass.

S

Hehe, yes I could just bring another bass, but it would not be the most practical solution because my other basses (Le Fay, Ric, Ibanez Grooveline) react very differently to my effects. So it would be more trouble than it's worth. A pedal would be the most elegant solution.

 

[Dash Lashes]

first question, do you have a compressor?

for me, listening to uncompressed slap is pretty painful

edit/add: try a TB search! on the best slap tone or whatever - page after thousand page

 

[FunkHead]

Creation Audio Labs "Funkulator" or "Grizzly". As you stated. The Funkulator was designed specifically for Slapping. The Grizzly has the same circuit built in. I have both and really like them. Great Quality and cool looks. They both seem (for me at least) to work better with solid state amps Vs. My Traynor Tube amp.

 

[20db pad]

I've pretty much retired from slap bass now, but I've had good results using an outboard Sadowsky preamp on a P-Bass for that technique. Otherwise, a scoop around 300hz might work when using an EQ pedal.

 

[Lebowsky]

Bass Mid Control｜E.W.S.

 

[Dave W]

EQ, a compressor, or both.

There is some great 70's slap that was played on P basses so it certainly can be done. Whether you like the sound of it is up to you.

 

[Alban]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. To be clear, I already play slap for years on various basses including P's, but I was just wondering if there was a good way to get a scooped sound for a Precision.

first question, do you have a compressor?

for me, listening to uncompressed slap is pretty painful

edit/add: try a TB search! on the best slap tone or whatever - page after thousand page

@Dash Lashes
I have a Markbass Compressore, but that doesn't answer my question. Whether or not you would use a compressor depends a lot on your tonal goals, your amp and your technique. I find that I don't really need a compressor with my amp.
Also, I am not looking for any "beginner's guides" to good slap tone, so I'm not sure what thousands of pages you are referring to. I am specifically interested in scooping a P a bit, and am in search of the best way to do that. For the moment, the Funkulator seems like an interesting, easy-to-use option.

 

[Dave W]

If the only thing you're looking to do is scoop the mids almost any EQ pedal will do. I know there are "slap" pedals out there too which basically scoop the mids and boost the bass and treble.

The Sadowsky Preamp/DI is an excellent preamp that can give a killer slap tone.

I'm running a 3Leaf Little Black Box for my slap tone. I'm already playing a J bass, but I want a little more of a bass & treble boost when I slap. I also use it to boost my volume up a little bit, since I get volume drops when I slap vs. my standard tone.

 

[monsterthompson]

Scoop the mids? Blower Box at low gain settings.

 

[jumblemind]

Check out the Markbass mini boost. Exactly what you are describing.

 

[monsterthompson]

Scoop the mids? Blower Box at low gain settings.

Perhaps a lower gain setting on a B3k?

Just throwing ideas out there.

 

[Alban]

The Blower Box and B3K ideas are interesting as well, I need to try that because I happen to own both of those pedals . Don't want too much hair on the signal though!

Had not thought of the MB Mini boost as well! That's pretty cheap.

 

[Timmy-Watts]

I needed the same thing for my 57 P. A regular old MXR 10 band EQ really did the trick. Easy on the wallet and works exceptionally well.

 

[secretsound5]

Hey all,

I am currently rocking my '59 CS Precision as my main bass. It suits all my songs just fine, but I have been wondering about getting a pedal to get a bit more of a "modern" scooped slap tone for one or two songs which would benefit from that particular sound. I am not expecting any miracles of course; I understand that I won't get any sparkly graphite Statusesque tones from a P bass.

So the question is, what kind of device would do the trick? I have been looking at the Funkulator pedal, which seems to be built specifically for this purpose, but I don't know how well it works on a P bass.

I could just get a decent EQ like the Empress ParaEQ, but it could be overkill for my needs. Do you guys have any ideas on this?

Try a HARTKE VXL Pedal. Can't beat the price-$99 and the tonal shaping is fantastic

 

[Buzz E]

Tech 21 VT Bass. It can make your P go from mild to wild!!! They get a lot of love on TB.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Before you spend money on pedals, work with your eq.

 

[yakmastermax]

Oooh I know this one!

Markbass Mini Boost or Mini Dist!

The VPF tone knob is slap heaven.

Set the VPF knob at like 75% and the boost knob at 20%

when you want to slap just hit the pedal!

 

[Alban]

Before you spend money on pedals, work with your eq.

Naturally. But the idea is, to have an instant-on sound for slap, aside from any global EQ settings.