Slapping on a p bass

[bucephylus]

Slapping on the P depends a lot on the bass and how it is setup. I’ve definitely played P’s, which were funky as heck slapped. Best I ever played was one of the ‘59 CS jobs.

But, for the most part, you won’t get that flavor with dead flatwounds.

 

[P. Aaron]

This illustrates very well how a P-Bass often sounds when slapped:

Treble on full I’m guessing. Does it also involve eq’ing the hell out of one’s amp?

 

[bucephylus]

They don’t call him “Ready Freddie” for nothing!

That cat is AMAZING. Check out his first take track for “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” from SITSOM. SCAREY level of talent and a sobering look at what is required to be a first call session player.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I don't know for a fact that this a P-bass, but my P-bass sounds just like this when I slap it. (well, this is more of a snap than a slap, but the sound is inescapable.)

This is a bass overdub played by the great David Hungate. But I don't think there's any actual slapping. I think he's just plucking (popping).

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Do people do it? How do you think it sounds? I have heard it and personally prefer a jazz for slap. Thoughts? Feelings?

It was introduced on a P. Just throwing this one out there...all basses sound good. Depending on eq and technique, you can get whatever sounds you want out of anything. It doesnt really matter what your playing.

 

[Dluxe]

David Margen

 

[Samatza]

Slap works on a P Bass, it's a different sound to a Jazz but no better or worse, just different.
For me the P with flats is more the old school, chunky sound, the Jazz with rounds the more modern, scooped slap tone. They both work though.

 

[grrg63]

It was introduced on a P.

Before Larry Graham did it on a J?

 

[Leo Smith]

This thread ended with post number 2 ( Forget Me Nots), but I've enjoyed reading all the other replies

 

[flyingfinbar]

Not as naturally scoopy/splatty as a J with both pickups dimed, but it has its own funky, 70’s disco slap,vibe going. Both great sounds.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Before Larry Graham did it on a J?

I guess I stand corrected. Well, as far as performance goes. I just figured being as funk, soul, and mo-town (genres that typically implement slap techniques) are generally played on P basses, that it was as such. But according to wikipedia's, Larry Graham is typically accredited to creating the "thump and pluck." And, he played a Jazz. Still, it all sounds good on anything. I prefer slapping a P myself. But, I was raised on Primus.

 

[Bruiser Stone]

Do it.

 

[selowitch]

... a sobering look at what is required to be a first call session player.

I think I had a good look at a "last call" session player—and believe me, he was not sober at the time!

 

[bucephylus]

I think I had a good look at a "last call" session player—and believe me, he was not sober at the time!

That sounds rather unfortunate.

 

[selowitch]

That sounds rather unfortunate.

The bar was about to close....

 

[Acoop]

Chuck Rainey got a hell of a sound from his early 50's P-bass, so, that's show anything can be done on that thing.

 

[Altitude]

Check out Kai Eckhardt on Garaj Mahal’s “Woot” album. End to end but especially this track “Hotel.”

Kai isn’t a P-bass guy but he did record the last two Garaj Albums on one and it sounds totally completely killer.

 

[selowitch]

What I think we are seeing with all these examples is yet another reason why the Fender Precision is in many ways the gold standard against which other basses are measured. Certainly there are many excellent basses out there, but it's amazing how many things Fender got right, especially after the 1957 introduction of the split pickup, which was an ingenious and aethetically pleasing way to resolve the main weakness of the original Precision released in 1951.

 

[jackn1202]

I dunno about the sound, but the P pickup gets in the way of my fingers when I’m popping the higher strings. Even Jazzes do a little as well but not so bad.

 

[strost]