"thud" sound from slapping

[Caldia]

Hello all, I started learning bass a week or 2 ago and I wanted to try slapping. Now I know my technique is far from anything perfect but every time I slap, there's a "thud" sound. I already checked the pick up height, and it's not touching the string. I went as far as to lower it far more than needed to be extra sure.

This only happens when I strike down with my thumb, not when I pull with fingers. It also happens on all strings.

I do notice the thud sound even very subtly when I push down the string. I recorded this on my audio interface, but I can replicate it with both headphone amp and regular solid state amp. I tried to record the slaps as well as the quiet thuds when I push the string down. (The one static crackle sound is when I pushed too hard and the string touched the pick up, but otherwise it was not touching the pick up.)

It's a Squier P bass (passive pickups). No effect and it's not the cable, already tested different ones. I do play guitar, so I know to a certain extend how to open the pick guard, but I'm not sure what things to check.

I would really appreciate it if some could tell me if this is a technique issue or an issue with the bass perhaps?

 

[doctone]

Experienced players, please correct me, but I think you are hitting too hard, thus catching and dampening the rebounding string. Try a lighter touch and concentrate on letting the string ring out freely. Experiment striking higher (towards the nut) and maybe a little downwards, as opposed to just smashing it down on the frets.

 

[superheavyfunk]

It definitely sounds like you might be hitting the pickup but it also sounds like your technique needs work.

Instead of thumping the string in towards the neck, practice striking *through* the string. In other words, send your thumb down towards the next string, rather than towards the body of the bass/fretboard.

 

[Wasnex]

My first bass was a Ric 4001. If the string came in contact with the pole pieces, it made an obnoxious clack. My solution was too thump over the end of the fingerboard.

 

[Caldia]

Ahh thank you! I'm learning from youtube vids and they seem to be striking quite hard but I guess I'm not doing the flick fast enough and indeed catching the rebounding string for like a micro second. I've tried doing it from an angle and more gentle. No more thud sounds, but I'm not so sure if it's the "slap" sound now.

 

[superheavyfunk]

Ahh thank you! I'm learning from youtube vids and they seem to be striking quite hard but I guess I'm not doing the flick fast enough and indeed catching the rebounding string for like a micro second. I've tried doing it from an angle and more gentle. No more thud sounds, but I'm not so sure if it's the "slap" sound now.

It sounds a lot better already! Keep practicing - you’ll be slapping and popping with the best of them soon enough!

 

[Chrisk-K]

Use thinner strings like 35-95 or even 30-90 and you won’t get the thud when thumbing. There are reasons why many famous slappers use thin strings.

 

[Heiwa]

It took me a month of daily practice to learn slap, be patient and you will get it. It can be frustrating at times.

 

[superheavyfunk]

Use thinner strings like 35-95 or even 30-90 and you won’t get the thud when thumbing. There are reasons why many famous slappers use thin strings.

I’m not famous and neither do I use thin strings. Is this correlation or causation? Or maybe it doesn’t matter

 

[red_rhino]

I'm hearing two distinct phases of how the note is expressing. The first phase is the thumb strike itself, followed very shortly by the note itself. It's almost as if your fretting had is muting the string when your thumb strikes, and then immediately after presses on the fretboard, sounding the intended note.

My advice is to strike thru the string with your thumb and see if you get a clean note that way. (IOW, don't "bounce" your thumb on the string.)

Also, just to rule out a mechanical issue with the bass itself, try a different bass and see if the problem persists. That way you'll know if it's you, or the bass.

Welcome to Talkbass, BTW.

Edit: just listened to your most recent clip. Big improvement.

 

[Lava]

Not a technique issue, just a practice issue. Give it time and keep on thumping

 

[Artman]

I am generally not a fan of tabs, but this video is very clear regarding what to do with your right thumb in relation to the strings.
Very good camera angles on that right hand.

 

[Fynn]

I think a video would help diagnosing the issue. It definitely sounds like the string is hitting the pickup, but if you say that's not happening, then I'm inclined to believe you.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

I’m not famous and neither do I use thin strings. Is this correlation or causation? Or maybe it doesn’t matter

Neither. Coincidence. Which is often mistaken for the other two, which I find very annoying. Which also doesn't matter.

BBB

 

[MegaSwing]

For all of its drama and bombast, slapping is actually a fairly delicate technique. As others have already recommended, you should lighten up your attack and sharpen it with quicker strikes. Keep at it. Things’ll come around.

 

[Nashrakh]

Ahh thank you! I'm learning from youtube vids and they seem to be striking quite hard but I guess I'm not doing the flick fast enough and indeed catching the rebounding string for like a micro second. I've tried doing it from an angle and more gentle. No more thud sounds, but I'm not so sure if it's the "slap" sound now.

Try thinking "velocity" instead of "strength" when slapping. While players often look like they beat the strings like they owe them money, I personally find speed (of the thumb) and precision to be much more important to get a good, clean slap sound. You don't actively have to try to be gentle, just apply enough force to get a good attack, then try to dial it back as much as you can while still getting the sound you're after. Mind you, that is an approach that will take a while.

2 weeks in, you're just scraping the surface. IMO, it's important to see how you improve week to week. Recording yourself is a great idea btw, wish I'd have done that when I started out!

 

[pepj]

Try another bass. You are trying to bounce the strings off the neck. Its likely a combination of not enough technique and the bass not being set up.
Low action and quick strike off the neck

 

[brianrost]

Try thinking "velocity" instead of "strength" when slapping.

+1000%

Even with finger style or pick playing, getting a snappy sound is about a quicker motion not a stronger motion. Took me a long time to figure that out Turn up the amp and let it do more of the work so you can play with a very light touch but get both snappy and rounder sounds just by how quickly you strike the string and where along the string you are.

 

[donk]

maybe be sure your right thumb is over the end of the fingerboard and not over the pickup