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Axis 30th Anniversary

Slap tone advice

J

Jazzbassman23

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 29, 2003
Messages
538
Location
Maryland
Disclaimer: I'm not much of a slapper, but I do enjoy it and try to work on it for the handful of tunes we do that require it. Question: Any advice on getting that "slap tone" that seems to be prevalent? You know that tone. My Bongo 4HH seems to come closer than my SR4 or Sterling, but I'm sure it's something I'm not doing. I've tried diming the bass and treble and cutting the mids. C'mon you slap monkeys, help a geezer with his slap tone.
 
start by:
- turning bass & treble way up (1st knob on right)
- turning both mids way down (2nd knob on right)
adjust to taste
 
It's funny, 'cause when I boost lows/highs and cut mids I really don't get the slap sounding I'm looking for. On my 2 HH Bongo 5 I'll usually pan a little torwards the bridge boost the low mids a tad and maybe a little lows. I think the Bongo is a great slap bass, although some people have problems with it because of their technique.

Andrew
 
Favor the bridge pickup just slightly, eq flat. Season to taste...


But I'll still put my 'Ray up against anything for sheer slap tone.

:D
 
I like the tone controls set pretty flat. Too much bass and you will kill everybody in the crowd but won't be able to hear your self on stage. I don't like to cut the mids either. EB basses are not mid-heavy basses to start with, and cutting the mids just makes the sound hollow and brittle. Actually a little mid boost sounds pretty nice.
 
Joshua said:
But I'll still put my 'Ray up against anything for sheer slap tone.

:D
Click to expand...


Amen! :D

Also, let's not forget that wonderful neck pickup, it adds deep without having to cut mids. I say
favour neck a few degrees,
bring up trebly mids a bit
cut low mids a bit
Increase trebl a tad
and bring big bass up higher than treble, but lower than treble(mid)

careful though, it's funky :)
 
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I had a friend come over with a Natural SR4 maple bass (pre-EB)... I think it belonged to Jack once hehe. Just turn the bass all the way up and treble halfway. Nice slap tone easy.
 
My wife always gets a certain tone before I know I'm about to be slapped.

I know it's about to come when I say something like, "Honey, I just bought this bass! Isn't it cool?"
 
Thanks, guys. So far, my Bongo 4HH sounds best, but as mentioned, I have trouble because my technique is bad. Working on it. My SR4 is next (that's a shocker; imagine, people using a Stingray to slap). Got my work cut out for me. Since my wife just dropped close to $1200 on shoes, I'm in good shape as far as new basses are concerned. :) She's cool anyway. ;)
 
Congratulations on your wedding anniversary! Remember, you only have to buy something silver for her. No gold or diamonds necessary for this one.

Not too many of us manage to stay married to the same person that long anymore.
 
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