String hit pick ups when slapping

[portunderground]

Hi! just changed my bass strings recently. then i go slap and pop it. it had that really thudding sound like when you tap the pick ups. before i changed the strings, the problem wasnt there. so i checked it and found out that the strings actually hit the pick ups. so i changed my position of my thumb where i slap. the problem subsided. but it felt really uncomfortable. so i was thinking of increasing the action but it would then be really high. i am using diadario xl strings and stagg jazz bass. i forgot what gauge any suggestions on what i should do? THANKS!

 

[KeDraiv]

lower the pickup height?

 

[b33r]

slap at the base of the neck, not at the pickups. leave the action at what you feel is most comfortable, it shouldn't be the problem. strings shouldn't be the problem either. just do what KeDraiv said, grab a screwdriver and lower your pickup height, they're probably too high.

 

[KeDraiv]

but make sure u lower that time it's still leveled.
if not the output will be funny.

 

[splintersfury]

how much does it cost jus to setup my bass to increase its action at beez?

 

[b33r]

a full setup for a 4-string bass at Beez will cost $45, not including strings.

 

[portunderground]

ok. thanks! i will do that.

 

[Hickey_]

Hi guys, i personally do not have this problem. but i do have another problem with slapping. that is whenever i slap my A string, it accidentally hits my E string. Any advise?

 

[b33r]

slap with the bony joint of your thumb. also try to have your thumb parallel to the strings. lastly, PRACTICE

 

[Hickey_]

Sorry but what's bony joint? Hahaha. okayokay. i'll try to keep my thumb parallel to teh strings. Thanks dude.

 

[shinobi]

some slap into the body, while others do it wooten style by slapping down towards the ground. either way, you are supposed to use a light touch to allow good intonation and dexterity. DONT DESTROY THE AMP :mrgreen:

 

[Hickey_]

Meaning we bassists are supposed to slap lightly? I dont know why but i tend to slap quite hard..............

 

[shinobi]

if you use strength you will sacrifice speed. i can't see much benefit from using more force to slap. how hard you attack the string is not as important as how fast you release it

 

[Hickey_]

What you mean by ' how fast you release it ' ???

 

[benjso28]

Hickey, just some sharing..

Few types of slapping...(many more i guess)

1. Tradition ones use the bone part of your thumb..ur bone tt protrude out(shd b able to feel it).Some hit on the last fret or slightly after the last fret. Of cos u can hit anywhere that u thk is the best tone. Those that use lot of strength type are probably pple like Flea, Louis Johnson aka Thunder thumb. Vail Johnson looks quite relax to me, but can go very fast.. Same as Mark King (cool ring), their fast slap need lots of endurance. Can check out Stu Hamm, Chuck Rainey, John Entwistle, Dave Larue, Anthony Vitti,Armand Sabal Lecco, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller and Larry Graham also.

2. Snap type you can check out Abraham Laboriel. He also uses his palm to thump the bass..Very accurate. You can try using your fingers to slap as well if u like.

3. Follow through type you can check out Victor Wooten. When he slap, e.g on the E string, it will rest on the A string(so if he wan to do double thumb can easily come up). Marcus miller prob does that when he uses his double thumb stuff.

The trick of hitting just the note you want also involve your left hand muting the strings that you don't wan it to sound. You can practice accuracy by alternating the string. ie. slap on E than on D string than slap on A followed by G string. Practice open string, noted string, muted string and etc.

After getting the accuracy, you can practice basic rhythmic pattern i.e drum pattern.

The release part which our fren mentioned earlier is after you slap (or bounce) you dun stick ur thumb on the fret but sort of bounce back. that is prob wat he meant by release?

Dave Crigger once mentioned that it is like u r touching something hot and quickly move back.

Btw, we only discuss about slapping.. havent cover popping, left hand slap and etc..

Have fun..

Cheers,

Ben

 

[shinobi]

The release part which our fren mentioned earlier is after you slap (or bounce) you dun stick ur thumb on the fret but sort of bounce back. that is prob wat he meant by release?

Dave Crigger once mentioned that it is like u r touching something hot and quickly move back.

you are spot on.

alot easier to understand than my feeble layman's terminology :???:

 

[Hickey_]

Wow. that's a lot of unfamiliar names mentioned by ben. okay now i get it by "it is like u r touching something hot and quickly move back." But wooten's method is considered slapping? He said something like ".... its like treating your thumb as a pick..."

AND LEFT HAND SLAPPING?! <==== someone enlighten me please.