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Tapping on flats?

I

ilovethesechord

Jun 27, 2008
139
0
#1
Hello all,

I was wondering... I do a lot of soft slapping and tapping. In the middle of a very "mathy" post-post rock slap riff I'll throw in one or two taps to create a very fluid, wobble-y bubble jam.

I'm using a Spector 6, bubinga style, through a Trace.

Would changing my rounds to flats give me a more appropriate tone? My bass is passive, and I love playing it at higher registers.

...I know it's hard without a sound clip, but any input would be greatly appreciated.

-Trent

EDIT: I can't post a link, but if you search "piglet 1" on you tube you can find a good example of "math rock."
 
#5
i have flats on all my bass's and although i very rarely tap with my band i do noodle about a bit at home with flats you get less string noise so your taps sound cleaner which is good if like me you have terrible tap technique
however the overall tone isnt as bright as rounds and doesnt have the sharp deffinition which is hard to explain but i'll have a go

rounds
dingy dingy ding dingy ding diiiiiiing

flats
duh duh doo duh duh doo

thats just my exp dont take my word for it i'm not a tapper or a slapper i'm a finger fumbler and thats it!!
 
#12
dreadheadbass said:
i have flats on all my bass's and although i very rarely tap with my band i do noodle about a bit at home with flats you get less string noise so your taps sound cleaner which is good if like me you have terrible tap technique
however the overall tone isnt as bright as rounds and doesnt have the sharp deffinition which is hard to explain but i'll have a go

rounds
dingy dingy ding dingy ding diiiiiiing

flats
duh duh doo duh duh doo

thats just my exp dont take my word for it i'm not a tapper or a slapper i'm a finger fumbler and thats it!!
Click to expand...

Best. Advice. Ever.
 
#13
though you may be onto a very original sound, i don't think that flats will work for you, especially w/ passive pups... too slow of response, especially when tapping for technical music.
for sting choice,

if you really want to get away from rounds, pressure/half/ground-wound (similar design depends on brand) strings might work for you. i play in a post-math-whateveryouwanttocallit band (mainiam) and have had luck w/ the rotosound pressure wounds in the past, though i went back to rounds.

i don't know if effects are an options, but, if i understand the sound you are after, a lowpass or envelope filter can five you that thuddy-bubbly sound if you set the frequency response low enough (ala stu brooks from the dub trio). i use a moogerfooger lowpass for that kind of think.
 
#15
Hey, thank you all for responding. And hey, I'm glad you dug that clip!

..I think I'm just gonna have to try it.
that's really the only way to know, right?

And thombo, I'll definitely try out those effects next time I'm at Sam Ash.

Thanks all!!
 

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