Slapping?????

[Disraeli Gears]

Are there certain modifications that need to be done to a bass to be able to slap it? certain strings that need to be on it? because ive tried and tried but i just cant seem to slap my bass... its a yamaha bbn5

What do you mean you can't slap your bass? Do you mean you're physically unable to slap? If so, what in particular is preventing you from slapping? Or do you mean you can't get slapping to sound good?

EDIT:

Just read this post:

disregard my last post. it was cm

That could be a substantial part of your problem. For questions regarding setting up your bass, check out this thread from the Hardware, Setup & Repair subforum:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125382

Beyond that, just like anything else, it takes practice. Be patient; you'll get there!

 

[Woodchuck]

It's you.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Even a double bass can be slapped. Lots of slappers use super low action and 030-090 SS strings.

 

[Diogenes]

if you can't slap you can't slap, don't act like adjusting a bass will magically give you skill and that that's the issue here.

just search the forum for slap tutorials and work on it, it's hard at first to get the precision you need with the technique

It's not all black and white. There is no magic to slapping, it takes practice but you can't slap on a bass with high action, that's just a fact.

 

[Diogenes]

Even a double bass can be slapped. Lots of slappers use super low action and 030-090 SS strings.

Different technique and different results with a double bass... apples to oranges comparison.

My action isn't super low and my strings are 45-105... nothing special to get a good funky slap going.

disregard my last post. it was cm

Are you kidding? 1cm at the first fret? C'mon... I'm inclined to believe that you're trolling. Do you have pictures?

 

[carlos840]

disregard my last post. it was cm

I dont really see how you could have 1cm between the 1st fret and the strings!
Never seen that even on a 14.99$ stagg bass!!!

 

[kyokyo]

i tripled checked he measurement and it is 1cm
is GC a good place to get it lowered

 

[alexofc69]

1 - it takes learning the technique and it takes time to perfect.
2 - The proper set up on your bass. Not all basses are good slappers, but set up properly you can slap any bass.
3 - Why do you want to slap? Slap should only be used on appropriate songs or places. Dont try to slap every song you play.

Happy Slapping!

 

[puddin tame]

It's not all black and white. There is no magic to slapping, it takes practice but you can't slap on a bass with high action, that's just a fact.

Sure it is

 

[Makatak]

IMO slapping is for 4`s as per Mark King , Marcus Miller , Larry Graham, Flea etc ... not 5ers or 6`s . It just seems more " free " on a 4 .

 

[xed]

... ive tried and tried but i just cant seem to slap my bass ...

Sorry, I just don't see this as a problem

Just kidding... youtube is your friend or just pop into your local music store and hang out for a bit; there's sure to be somebody that will pull down a bass and start to smackity-smackin' in no time.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

This is a technique issue (even with an awful setup, you can still slap a bass), so I'm moving it to the Technique forum.

 

[Chowowbus]

+1 to BongoBoy advice.
That said, I still cant slap my way out of a wet paper bag..

 

[Devaghost]

Two and a half centimeters? You're trying to slap a dobro?

 

[nutdog]

1 cm on first fret
1 1/2 cm on seventh fret
2cm on fifteenth fret
2 1/2 cm on twenty-fourth fret

Uuuh, could we get pics of this? You've either got a huge nut (did I just say that?) or some serious bow. 1 inch at the 24th?