Changing styles

Gerry

Gerry

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Well, I've decided that I must change my approach to slap bass. It's always been awkward for me and in my neighborhood, it is almost a requirement at jam sessions. This style requires me to have my thumb more parallel to the strings and there is some bending at the thumb joint. One of the problems, other than being incredibly stiff, is the string spacing on my favorite bass is now a challenge. My MM and Ken Smith are spaced just right and sound great. The tone of the SS2 is worth the effort but I find it much easier to practice on the others. I'm starting to see why Lex has a SS2 disguised as a SS1 and Greg ditched the 5strings for 4. Tone plus spacing. I'm actually considering trading for a SS1 for this reason:eek:. I know I'm not the only one with different basses, so, how do you guys get around the adjustment?
 
I started with making the strap shorter so my bass is a bit higher. this way I can get my thumb in line easier and dampen strings with my right hand easier. IMO the lower you hang your bass the cooler it looks but this at the cost of losing control and requiring more stringspacing... Still I do use a SS1 5 simply because of its standard wide neck and spacing. I've used 16mm spaced basses too though.

Playing slap style also requires lower action and preferably an almost straight neck. Make sure your bass is set up properly for the job.
 
Gerry, i know what you mean, i have a Fortress 5 stringer and have had an Infinity 5 and Thumb BO 5, they all have the narrow string spacing. slapping is more difficult yes! although i have gotten used to it now, it took a while, but since i have my SSI 5-er with the wide spacing i agree slapping on a 5 string bass with narrow spacing is not really a 'natural' thing. i am glad i switched my Infinity for the SSI...
 
Broadneck fo' sho'!

I don't know how I played the 16.5mm spacing for 9 years. Slapping is easier and fingerstyle is much cleaner too.

I know there are a couple BN's at the custom shop, but if you ever want to try my Thumb BO BN 5 I'll be glad to meet you there sometime.
 
Broadneck spacings do make slap easier at first but i slap heaps on my SSII and don't really notice the difference anymore. In fact some things i play better on the narrow spacings and some things better on the broader spacings.Try adjusting your bass first as mentioned above and persist with the SSII as the resulting sound and tone are worth it. Cheers.
 
How do you mean incredibly stiff?
 
DiMarco said:
I started with making the strap shorter so my bass is a bit higher. this way I can get my thumb in line easier and dampen strings with my right hand easier. IMO the lower you hang your bass the cooler it looks but this at the cost of losing control and requiring more stringspacing... Still I do use a SS1 5 simply because of its standard wide neck and spacing. I've used 16mm spaced basses too though.

Playing slap style also requires lower action and preferably an almost straight neck. Make sure your bass is set up properly for the job.
Click to expand...

I usually practice slap sitting, so, I'm already pretty close to it. Action stays low too. Thanks man.
 
dazzla said:
Broadneck spacings do make slap easier at first but i slap heaps on my SSII and don't really notice the difference anymore. In fact some things i play better on the narrow spacings and some things better on the broader spacings.Try adjusting your bass first as mentioned above and persist with the SSII as the resulting sound and tone are worth it. Cheers.
Click to expand...

I think i'll practice on my Smith and MM and hopefully, once I refine my technique I'll be able to transition to the SS2.
 
There's lots of slappin' styles, but I prefer the "easy does it" way... Especially on a 5 string with narrow spacing you need the precision. For a lower action better for slap, hex core strings are supposedly better because you can set them up with lower action (the hex core is stiffer and the string makes a narrower oscillation). They are also supposed to generally have more tension than round core strings of the same gauge. My personal experience is with DR LoRiders (hex) vs DR HiBeams (round), both 40 gauge. Oddly enough I did not find the LoRiders tighter. Perhaps both sets are loose enough that you can't tell a difference. The LoRiders could indeed achieve a lower action, they slapped and popped effortlessly even on my 5 string narrow space LX. They generally had a thinner low end compared to the HiBeams, but I can't recommend them enough for slapping... Should you want to try them I would suggest one gauge lower than what you 're usually playing. String type and bass setup have LOTS to do with ease of slap.

EDIT. https://www.bassemporium.com/newsletters/0609newsletter.html
 
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noodles said:
Broadneck fo' sho'!

I don't know how I played the 16.5mm spacing for 9 years. Slapping is easier and fingerstyle is much cleaner too.

I know there are a couple BN's at the custom shop, but if you ever want to try my Thumb BO BN 5 I'll be glad to meet you there sometime.
Click to expand...
Dude, I'm staying away from the custom shop now that my credit cards are paid off! Especially since I'm gassin for a SS1. When I get my s#!t together, I'll come out and jam with ya!
 
jester said:
There's lots of slappin' styles, but I prefer the "easy does it" way... Especially on a 5 string with narrow spacing you need the precision. For a lower action better for slap, hex core strings are supposedly better because you can set them up with lower action (the hex core is stiffer and the string makes a narrower oscillation). They are also supposed to generally have more tension than round core strings of the same gauge. My personal experience is with DR LoRiders (hex) vs DR HiBeams (round), both 40 gauge. Oddly enough I did not find the LoRiders tighter. Perhaps both sets are loose enough that you can't tell a difference. The LoRiders could indeed achieve a lower action, they slapped and popped effortlessly even on my 5 string narrow space LX. They generally had a thinner low end compared to the HiBeams, but I can't recommend them enough for slapping... Should you want to try them I would suggest one gauge lower than what you 're usually playing. String type and bass setup have LOTS to do with ease of slap.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I can see your point. In fact, i'm going tonight to GC for strings. I really want to see the difference. Ken set up my bass for me himself, with his brand of med gauge tapered string, so the action has always been incredibly low with no buzz. I will use the Smith to practice on for now and I'll try DR Hi Beams, light gauge. That's what you're suggesting , yes?
 
LoRiders are the hexcore ones. Not entirely sure about the gauge... I was just reading Ed's article (I edited my post in case you didn't see it), and he's saying hex cores have less mass in the core. That sounds natural because gaps are formed between the 6 sides and the wrap wire. Less core mass means less tension, so my earlier post must be inaccurate (i said there's more tension on hex). This is in fact what I experienced, a string that I could manipulate more easily for slap... it could have been looser. I believe Ed says that they feel "stiffer" (not tighter, and the stiffness comes from the hex core biting into the wrap wire) and that he personally found the usual gauge he's playing tougher to play. I can't tell about specifics in tension and stiffness really... All I know is that I found them extremely fun to slap on. Have a look at the article, it's a great read and the clips give you great insight into tone as well. I loved it.
 
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[video=youtube;tM7EOeaybL4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM7EOeaybL4[/video]
 
No matter how I wear the bass for the gig, (usually very low), when I slap I find a solution to have the bass high.

A VERY RELAXED hand is the key to a good slap. Would you mind to post some clips with you slaping, maybe we can help more starting from them?
 
Florin, the only video I have now is years old. I got back from GC with light gauge Elixers (poor selection) and it turns out, i'm very happy with them. In fact, all of my basses will get these. (Thanx, Jester) Best part is, I called them out on a price match with Just Strings.com and they lowered the price from $50 to $34. Anyway, they make a big difference. I find it easier to strike downward, through the string. Turns out, a big part of my problem is hitting the string to straight (in and out). I was doing this because I use my palm to mute the B string. This caused me to have my elbow and shoulder too high. I couldn't relax and my shoulder fatigued quickly. I'm taking things slowly right now getting comfortable with the new posture and keeping it clean. I'll record something new once I've made a little progress and will gladly accept some help from there. You guys are the best!
 
Just do your slap move without the bass, in a relaxed way. That way should be with the bass on :-)

It is a good way to check if you have a right technique. Of course Ryan Martinie does not play this way, and he is great too haha
 
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