Trouble slap/pop on Ibanez Affirma (AFR5WAP)

[ted3465]

Hi,

I recently purchased Ibanez Affirma 5 string and am very satisfied with how it looks.
I am still new to slap and pop, but I was having no trouble with my Jackson 5 string.
Now with this new gear, I need some advice from you guys.

First, my pops feel to sticky (NYXL 45-130) compared to other gears. Second, they really make the body of the bass flippy (the bass wobbles every time I pop). So both problems make it really throws my popping finger (index, usually). Perhaps the strings are too sticky (never used NYXL before) or bass weight allocation (~7.5lbs, I think) is the problem? Or is this a technical problem with my slap/pop being so tense?

I would appreciate any advice from you guys!

Thanks.

 

[JonathanPDX]

A video would help a lot. When you say the body moves, are you wearing it on a strap or just balancing it on your lap when you play? It's hard to imagine popping a note would make the entire bass move unless you're really yanking the string with all your might!

 

[KevInDaBassment]

.045-.130 is a fairly normal string gauge for a 5'er, so I don't think string weight is the problem. I'm not a fan of D'Addarios (I prefer DRs for round wounds), but sometimes a nickel plated string will tend to be smoother than its stainless steel counterpart. The brand of string also has a lot to do with this too, I find the D'Addarios sticky as well.

Having said all that, the short answer is you're popping too hard. You may have been used to the strings and weight on your Jackson mitigating this to some degree, but even so the bass shouldn't be moving to the point of affecting your playing. It's not going to happen overnight, but work on your popping technique to have more release and less pull when you do it.

I'll also add that slapping/popping doesn't always require beating the strings to death to get a good sound. I idolized Flea from RHCP when I first started and wanted to play just like him...not the best style to try and emulate. Let the amp do the work and focus on playing cleanly. Larry Graham, Marcus Miller, and Les Claypool all play with cleaner technique and sound just as good IMO. Not the most fun piece of advice to receive, but you'll be better for it in the long run (and no worries, you can do this )

 

[ted3465]

A video would help a lot. When you say the body moves, are you wearing it on a strap or just balancing it on your lap when you play? It's hard to imagine popping a note would make the entire bass move unless you're really yanking the string with all your might!

Here, you can see the body of the bass trying to flip

 

[ted3465]

.045-.130 is a fairly normal string gauge for a 5'er, so I don't think string weight is the problem. I'm not a fan of D'Addarios (I prefer DRs for round wounds), but sometimes a nickel plated string will tend to be smoother than its stainless steel counterpart. The brand of string also has a lot to do with this too, I find the D'Addarios sticky as well.

Having said all that, the short answer is you're popping too hard. You may have been used to the strings and weight on your Jackson mitigating this to some degree, but even so the bass shouldn't be moving to the point of affecting your playing. It's not going to happen overnight, but work on your popping technique to have more release and less pull when you do it.

I'll also add that slapping/popping doesn't always require beating the strings to death to get a good sound. I idolized Flea from RHCP when I first started and wanted to play just like him...not the best style to try and emulate. Let the amp do the work and focus on playing cleanly. Larry Graham, Marcus Miller, and Les Claypool all play with cleaner technique and sound just as good IMO. Not the most fun piece of advice to receive, but you'll be better for it in the long run (and no worries, you can do this )

Y'all made a really good point. I also have hard time adjusting the volume between pop vs pluck and slap. Cool, I will search Youtube to see if I can fix it. Thanks!

 

[Sid the Kid]

Check out GHS Fast Fret for the sticky string issue. It’s fairly inexpensive and does wonders especially for hot outdoor gigs.

You may be putting too much effort into the pop. I remember loving my AFR 5, miss it dearly, super light bass with a nice wide neck. I suggest turning the treble way down on the magnetic pickup and using the piezo tone control as your treble, you’ll get a dynamite slap tone. Engaging the piezo more might encourage you to pop more gently, they add a lot of clarity and bite.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[JonathanPDX]

This is my favorite example of different angles and techniques. It's important to note that Victor uses a very light touch, even when he's playing super fast he's not using a lot of right-hand force to attack the strings.

 

[Wasnex]

I have not played this generation of the bass. I did demo one of the original AFR105s a couple times while on tour that was offered in a shop in OK City. I was very tempted by it. My memory is it slapped and tapped really well. The sound was very smooth, HiFi, delicate, and polite, so I wondered if it would cut through or get lost in the mix. It was not really the type of bass you bash. Really low action and a near perfectly straight neck. Also lot's of sustain. I think I demo'ed it sitting, so if there is a problem with the bass's balance on a strap I wouldn't have noticed.

This is current version cued up to some slap.



Sounds pretty much like I remember .

 

[ted3465]

Check out GHS Fast Fret for the sticky string issue. It’s fairly inexpensive and does wonders especially for hot outdoor gigs.

You may be putting too much effort into the pop. I remember loving my AFR 5, miss it dearly, super light bass with a nice wide neck. I suggest turning the treble way down on the magnetic pickup and using the piezo tone control as your treble, you’ll get a dynamite slap tone. Engaging the piezo more might encourage you to pop more gently, they add a lot of clarity and bite.

Good luck and have fun!

Wow this is one good looking bass. I appreciate the suggestion. I am trying it now and it does have a better bite. Thanks!

 

[ted3465]

This is my favorite example of different angles and techniques. It's important to note that Victor uses a very light touch, even when he's playing super fast he's not using a lot of right-hand force to attack the strings.

Oh nice. I was looking into Youtube today! This helps a lot Thanks!

 

[ted3465]

I have not played this generation of the bass. I did demo one of the original AFR105s a couple times while on tour that was offered in a shop in OK City. I was very tempted by it. My memory is it slapped and tapped really well. The sound was very smooth, HiFi, delicate, and polite, so I wondered if it would cut through or get lost in the mix. It was not really the type of bass you bash. Really low action and a near perfectly straight neck. Also lot's of sustain. I think I demo'ed it sitting, so if there is a problem with the bass's balance on a strap I wouldn't have noticed.

This is current version cued up to some slap.



Sounds pretty much like I remember .

I agree with what you said! I am still a newbie, but first this bass felt very smooth. It still feels less punchy to me (especially for the hard rock songs I used to play), but I think it's coming from my lack of understanding. From good suggestions I received here, I think it will only get better. Thank you very much for the video!