Hell no I can't play like this...
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Posted on Jul 19, 2011 06:30 am
Jovhato
Music is everything
Member Since: Apr 01, 2010
But I'd like to get this type of sound. I have a Nemesis bass amp. I'm more of the 'do do do do do do do, de de de de de de' type player just putting a foundation down for my work but I'd like to learn how to slap and pop a little.
Anyway, all's I know about the settings to get this sound is that the amp isn't pushing a lot of air, but I don't know if he's (or anyone using the slapping tones) using a lot of mid or highs. What would be a basic eq config to get something like this?
Here's another from Mark King.
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cruxTypo SzarMember
Since: Jul 04, 2002
Jul 19, 2011 09:20 pm Id like to say its some complex configuration, but I once knew a kid who had a cheapo Fender Jazz Bass knock off who got this tone on EVERY amp, in EVERY venue i saw him play at. So its definitely attainable with a bit of know how.
Definitely lots of high, hi mid, probalby have to back off o the low mid a bit to open up the higher tonal stuff. Just like on normal bass tone, i think u gotta turn up ur low end JUST enough to kind of cushion the rest of the tones but not overpower. I find that good pickup setup on a bass is absolutely crucial, u want ur low string to trigger the low end but u want other strings not so much, that way ur not just producing low end the whole time.
I wouldn't say the amp isnt pushing alot of air, with a tone so full like this, i think ud need a little more gain than usual, as in enough preamp gain to really hit ur master volume, itll accentuate every note.
And ULTIMATELY, it has to be said, this is one of those situatinos where it is alot in the fingers. Most of those tones come from proper slapping, when u pop a string correctly, it will naturally bring out a high from the string and if u slap ur thumb correctly it will be a gainy thud. So if ur saying ur not a master of slap yet, i guess while ur searching for tone, also bring up ur chops, theyll meet in the middle.
JovhatoMusic is everythingMember
Since: Apr 01, 2010
Jul 22, 2011 12:42 pm Thanks Crux. I'll keep twisting knobs. I'm using a Carvin bass with active pickups but it's like I'm slapping too hard getting a loud hit on the frets, and not plucking hard enough to hardly hear the plucks.
Watching others do it, they seem to not have to have a lot of volume to do it and you can hear it all nice and clear.
I've messed with the compression that's built into the amp as well, but I must be missing the combination that I need with all of the settings.
The only thing I haven't really done is to see if I can go to the Nemesis website or forums to see if I can find some info there.
cruxTypo SzarMember
Since: Jul 04, 2002
Jul 22, 2011 10:29 pm I think compression wouldnt be help in this situation, slapping is a highly dynamic way to play, u gotta have every last accent in ur own control.
My bass player once told me that the word 'slapping' is a bit misleading, the thumb part of it is actually very controlled so u dont get a boominess, its jsut enough to get a thick low end thud. The pop is obviously as hard as u need it to be to get that high end out.
Jul 23, 2011 12:28 am Proper technique and fresh strings. When I was doing session work on bass, I was changing strings (usually just the E and A if I could help it) every hour or so of playing time to keep the slap n' pops sounding slappy and poppy. No place for old strings for that sound... But with fresh strings, it's almost effortless.
Speaking of effortless -- Make sure the instrument is set up properly... Slap n' pop is VERY subtle, incredibly light-touch stuff.
Well, it should be anyway...
HuePinnipedal Czar (: 3= Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004
Jul 26, 2011 12:59 pm I have three friends that play bass, and every once in a while I'll have all three at the house when the band is jammin'. Long story , not as long... they'll pass the same bass around for each to have their go, but only one of them can pull-off a proper slap-pop style.
Without any gear changes, or knob tweaking, that bass takes on an entirely different timbre simply because of who is playing it, and the technique they're using, which is apparently unachievable by the other two... and yeah, as MM points out, it is quite a subtle approach which seems effortless for him.
So yeah, outside of those things that improve the sound of this style, knowing how to play that way is the key.
JovhatoMusic is everythingMember
Since: Apr 01, 2010
Jul 27, 2011 06:09 am Thanks for all your replies. I guess I just need to practice it. I'll swap out the strings for some lighter ones as well.
