| Author | Message | ||
| applejuice
Member Username: applejuice Post Number: 56 Registered: 1-2006 |
What is the best style bass for playing slap? What type of neck construction and pickups should I look for? I currently have a precision bass that just isn't gonna work for it. | ||
| hb3
Intermediate Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 128 Registered: 2-2005 |
what's wrong w/ the p bass? | ||
| 88persuader
Advanced Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 202 Registered: 5-2004 |
I think the secret is to have your strings LOW close to the neck and slap on the bottom of the neck on a fret. And you should have the highs jacked up a bit on your EQ too. I don't think the TYPE of bass is that important. Of course being an Alembic site I'd say buy a new Series 2! ;-) | ||
| alemberic
New Username: alemberic Post Number: 8 Registered: 6-2006 |
There are so many basses available these days suitable for slapping that it really boils down to personal taste and comfort [wide neck, narrow neck, 4 string, 5 string, etc.]. Two of the more classic, traditional funk/slap basses are the Fender Jazz and the Musicman Stingray. You may recall that not too long ago, there was even a thread here in the club about slapping Alembics. I think the overall consensus was that they worked pretty darn well. I will say that for this type of playing, bolt-on and/or set necks often give a better slap sound. These necks tend to provide a punchier tone--especially in the mid and treble ranges--than neck-through instruments. I may be wrong, but I don't know as how I'd get overly concerned with one type of pickup over another--tone can be set and adjusted pretty easily through the instrument's electronics and/or the amp. I would also check out websites/videos for guys like Larry Graham, who kind of introduced slap to the electric bass back in the late 60's, Louis Johnson, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, Stanley Clarke, Mark King, and Flea to see what they use. I'm sure other club members can name a lot more bassists/basses you might want to consider as well. Good luck! Eric (Message edited by alemberic on July 28, 2006) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Intermediate Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 192 Registered: 5-2006 |
I slapped on Alembics (Spoilers, neck through) Gibson (Ripper fretless, Set neck) and Fender (Jazz Bass 5 string, bolt on) I've had the best result with the Alembics and the Gibson. The Gibson gives that 'middy' 70's funk sound while the Alembics are much brighter. The Fender was also nice but I have less experience with it due to the fact that it's a five string which I couldn't get used to. The sound was somewhere between the Gibson and the Alembics (closer to the bright Alembic tone) With my '83 Spoiler it's almost impossible to get your 'pop' finger between the neck pick up and the fretboard, I pop the strings between the pick ups. This method is hard on the fingers since you have to pull harder, sound is OK. Conclusion: I'd go for the Alembics! Someone else might go for the Gibson or Fender.... Look for the bass that's best for you. To go to the thread mentioned above click here Cheers! F.C. (Message edited by fc_spoiler on July 28, 2006) | ||
| hankster
Junior Username: hankster Post Number: 50 Registered: 6-2004 |
I have used a number of different basses and slapped on all of them with good results (except the Hofner 500/7 semiacoustic). I was very happy with the Music Man stingray - lots of room - but like the sound and feel of the Alembic Stanley Clarke signature more. Rolling out the mids - the so-called "scoop" eq - is important for the sound, as is muting to dampen the sustain and accent the attack. I think. You really should be able to get a monster sound from the P-bass - you don't need to look beyond that, in my view. Rick | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 521 Registered: 2-2005 |
The P-bass should be fine. In addition to the things already mentioned strings can have a big effect on the sound. Round wounds provide the most percussive attack and probably the best to use. I have had good results with half rounds but they are more muted that rounds. Keith | ||
| applejuice
Member Username: applejuice Post Number: 58 Registered: 1-2006 |
You are right, the P-bass gets a monster tone, but it has only one good tone, that is pretty much the only thing I don't like about it. I want something with more tone possibilities. After playing just this bass for 4 years I would like to get another. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Intermediate Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 195 Registered: 5-2006 |
If you want something with more tone possibilities, you're at the right place here! Try to find an affordable Alembic if your budget will allow it... Cheers! F.C. | ||
| 57basstra
Intermediate Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 181 Registered: 4-2005 |
I played a used Cort Curbow with a slap switch and the thing sounded great and almost slapped itself. I don't know why I didn't buy it (the price was very reasonable). | ||
| georgie_boy
Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 79 Registered: 8-2005 |
Hey David! My 2nd bass that I use when I keep the Series 1 at home is a Cort Curbow It sounds great live, but not as good as the Series 1----obviously Glad to see that someone else appreciates these underrated instruments George | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 919 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hank . . . . slapping a Hofner?!?!? J o e y | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 516 Registered: 6-2002 |
I have to agree with the commets here, most basses can be slapped on. How easy it is just depends on the bass itself and its setup and design. Personally I tend not to slap over the end of the neck rather in the space between the end of the neck and the neck pickup. I feel i get a more meaty sound and less of a percussive click to the thumbing. Also rather than slap so that the string whacks on the neck. I prefer to slap down on the string from above so that my thumb ends up on the string below the one I hit. ( if that makes sense) again i find it gives a meatier sound that i prefer. When I first started to have a go at slapping I watched my old Clarke Duke project video's and saw how Stanley did it. It looked like he was slapping down on the top of the string so thats what made me think that was the right way. However its not that easy if the strings are close together. Jazzyvee | ||
| applejuice
Member Username: applejuice Post Number: 59 Registered: 1-2006 |
Problem solved, I went to Washington Music Center to check out new basses. I bought an Orion 4 with the most beautiful walnut top. I am in love with it. | ||
| lowlife
Advanced Member Username: lowlife Post Number: 242 Registered: 12-2003 |
Congrats!! Now you can slap till you drop. Where are the pictures??? When will you be getting that new rig so you can feel the earth move when you slap? Ellery (Lowlife) | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1270 Registered: 3-2004 |
When I think of slap style outside of Alembic, I think of the old Spector NS basses and the Warwick Streamers that duplicated them. Lots of maple tends to make for a good slap tone. Congrats on the new bass, it should serve you very well. -bob | ||
| applejuice
Member Username: applejuice Post Number: 60 Registered: 1-2006 |
It will be awhile before pictures. Seriously though, the guy came out of the storage place with the case and said "I don't mean to be pushy, but this is the bass you are gonna buy." I agreed. As for the rig, I got two cabinets, each with a 12 and 2 horns. All I need now is a good power amp, a F-1X, and a SF-2! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Intermediate Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 197 Registered: 5-2006 |
Great choice, you can't go wrong with an Alembic! Be sure to post in the showcase section if you have the pictures. If you're unable to take pictures or unable to get them in your pc, ask the Washington Music Center if they have pictures of this bass. You can also check their site (if they have one) maybe you can find some there. Congrats! F.C. btw: Edit your profile! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4152 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats on the Orion!! | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 923 Registered: 9-2002 |
A L E M B I C . . . the cure for the common Fender! WTG, applejuice! J o e y | ||
| fc_spoiler
Intermediate Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 198 Registered: 5-2006 |
I can confirm that, I recently swapped my ltd edition Fender Jazz Bass 5 string for a 83' Spoiler. No way i'm going to regret it....ever! | ||
| hankster
Member Username: hankster Post Number: 51 Registered: 6-2004 |
Hey Joey, You've gotta go where your heart says go. But it didn't last long. Rick | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 925 Registered: 9-2002 |
The first time I ever played a Hofner, I was convinced that McCartney MUST have been a genius to get all that music out of a little toy of a bass like that . . . beautifully made and vibey in its own way, though. TINY neck. J o e y | ||
| 57basstra
Intermediate Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 184 Registered: 4-2005 |
Sir Paul is a genius as is Sir George Martin | ||
| dnburgess
Senior Member Username: dnburgess Post Number: 481 Registered: 1-2003 |
Joey, a friend of mine has just started using an old Hofner as his main live bass and I am amazed at how big and warm it sounds. David | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 926 Registered: 7-2003 |
Short scales may arguably not get all the same harmonics - especially on the low notes, as long scale. But when I pick up my old EBO (modded with Dark Star pu's), everybody looks my way. It looks and feels like a toy (like around 7 lb dripping wet, I'd guess). The short strings produce the most forceful, round lows I've ever gotten. All that mahogany doesn't hurt the effort either. Not at all unlike Sir Paul's Hofner sound. Whenever I've plugged a Hofner into a reasonably hefty rig, I've been shocked, too. It sounds huge. The neck is sooooo thin that it's a little tough to get used to, so I prefer the Gibby because it has a little more meat (still pretty slim compared to a P or even a J, though). |
