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The perfect slap tone.

S

slaptastical

Dec 20, 2007
3
0
#1
Now, Im sure that there are many, many posts out there covering this subject, to the point that I feel like I don't know where to start looking. Therefore I figured the easiest thing was to just start my own.
So this is it. I seem to be on a never ending quest to find the perfect slap tone. I have a 5 string warwick steamer jazzman which I love to bits and have much faith in, however I still can't seem to find the slap tone Im looking for, and yet I know it is capable of producing a close approximation given how versitle the tone combinations are.The best and most simple way to describe what I'm after is crisp, clear and cutting, yet with a deep, full yet mellow bottom end.
Watch and listen to Richard Bona on this vid, this is pretty much what Im after:-
.

Im currently using a decent but relatively basic amp - an ashdown mag 250 combo.

Obvioulsy I spend time playing with settings but does anyone familiar with my set up have any advice they could bestow on me?

Many, many thanks all.
 
#5
That guys tone in that vid reminds me a lot of Marcus Miller's tone. I'm not familiar with your Streamer Jazzman but I used to play on a Corvette 5 string a lot. If you boost the bass and a bit of the treble while using the neck pick up and with the right strings I could get something along those lines but it had more my sound (but I think thats just diff people and different gear). I don't know maybe you should look into playing a Marcus Miller jazz or a nice Fender Jazz. Go to a GC and give it a try and see how it compares to the tone you are getting now.
Also try some diff strings. New strings will make your slap tone real FAT. DRs have some nice strings for slapping especially on warwicks. Try out the Marcus Miller Fat Beams. You might like that slap tone.
Good luck!
Tim
 
#6
It's easy! Get a 10K Fodera with Ash body and Maple/Maple neck and a decent rig - Epifani UL502 and one of the UL cabs - 2x10" or 4x10". BTW, Richard uses often his Epifani T-112UL for cab. If there's a bigger venue he adds the second cab. At least so he said to me. :)

But to be more helpful, just try to find a nice active bass with an Ash body, Maple/Maple neck. The big part of your slap sounds comes from your amp. Ashdown is a great amp but maybe a bit too old style. You should consider changing the amp as well. And the cab - it should be 2x10 or 4x10. You need smaller elements to cut through. Some of the cabs which use 12" elements sound also good for slapping.
 
#8
The very first time I heard Maurice Fitzgerald playing a Peavey Cirrus USA 5 Bubinga/Walnut, I knew that I finally found the tone-and the bass-that I had been searching for(...er..that also includes a Ken Smith BSR 5!). Here is the clip-again!

Invalid Link Removed

One of the best, if not the best, slap tone that I have ever heard!!!


A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste! :cool:
 
#9
bottomzone said:
The very first time I heard Maurice Fitzgerald playing a Peavey Cirrus USA 5 Bubinga/Walnut, I knew that I finally found the tone-and the bass-that I had been searching for(...er..that also includes a Ken Smith BSR 5!). Here is the clip-again!

Invalid Link Removed

One of the best, if not the best, slap tone that I have ever heard!!!


A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste! :cool:
Click to expand...

Dude i heard that clip 5 years ago when i started playing bass and it blew up my mind, still does, i wish i could deal some rich slap tone like that but i always fail. Gotta get me a 4x10".
 
#10
bottomzone said:
The very first time I heard Maurice Fitzgerald playing a Peavey Cirrus USA 5 Bubinga/Walnut, I knew that I finally found the tone-and the bass-that I had been searching for(...er..that also includes a Ken Smith BSR 5!). Here is the clip-again!

Invalid Link Removed

One of the best, if not the best, slap tone that I have ever heard!!!


A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste! :cool:
Click to expand...

I agree that slap tone and groove is hot!!! Is that Fred Hammond singing gospel and if so...what the heck is he saying. I can't understand one word..is it another language.
 
#12
I dunno, I'm always fighting with this as well. I'm using a Lakland 55-02 with the Lakland pups and pre. I've got a godawful 2x15 cab from the stone age, though. Judging by this thread, I guess I should be looking at getting something a bit less crappy amp-wise. Ideally, what I'd like is a 2 x 10 plus a 1 x 15. I was thinking about One of the new Traynor set-ups...

But I don't even really know how to set the knobs on the axe. I assume that I leave the mids flat or down a bit and pump the bass and treble a little?
 
#20
Dr. Cheese said:
That Bona tone is basically a Fender Jazz tone in the OP's link.
As another poster said, a nice ash body Jazz ought to do the trick provided you have the chops to play like that.;)
Click to expand...

Yes, Fender Jazzes are famous for that particular slap tone. An ash body, but with single coil pickups, that's usually a good recipe for a hot slap tone like that. Usually the mids are scooped and the bass and treble are boosted but the single coil jazz pups have a natural tendency to have a scooped sound already so it would be much easier to get that tone from a jazz bass. Good luck on your quest to find THAT TONE. I've been searching for the tone in that video I posted earlier. I think I'm closer with the new upgrades on my Lakland by dropping some Nordstrand Big Singles in there. It's got a tone to die for now.
 

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