h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Ooh, Bassman, I've replaced the nut and restrung my bass!
I've also borrowed a friend's amp which is slightly larger than the other one I had on loan, and I'm getting a really nice sound out of it now. I think the little one just didn't have the low end power to make it worth putting a bass through it. Although the jack on the bass is really loose- I have to push the lead in really hard and hold it there and if the lead gets disturbed ever so slightly, I get a tremendous amount of buzzy feedback from the speaker and no output from the bass, so I have to rejiggle the lead and start again.
How do you play slap bass? It's so funky but I just can't seem to make it sound right at all.
Pointers please!!!

I'll post this here as well....

Sounds like the jack socket has got a bit loose - if you can get at it either by taking off the scratchplate or by access from a rear cover plate, you might find that bending the contact that makes with the tip of the plug is all thats needed. While you're about it, you can give the whole socket a good clean with a little solvent on a cotton bud. This will improve the signal from the instrument no end. Just don't get any solvent on the paintwork.

As for "Slap" Bass....

The first thing you need to ensure is that the action is sufficiently low and even across all the strings. I have found this is very important, as it helps even out the volume of each individual string. I was finding that my action was too high, which made it difficult to get any great volume out of the top 2 strings when "Slapped" - they were OK when "Popped".

The first thing with "Slapping" is to make sure your hands are relaxed. I'm right handed, as will most people be, so I'll do all my talking here from this point of view. All the volume generated by your thumb hitting the strings is generated by having a supple right wrist. You need to hit the string with the inside of the knuckle of your right thumb. Put your hand flat on the table in front of you and rotate your wrist back and forth causing your thumb to tap on the table. The part that hits the table is the part that should hit the strings.

You will need to wear the Bass quite high when you play, as your thumb needs to point along the string and not across it. The ideal place to hit the string is round about the last fret. Obviously as you get more of a feel for it you can move your right hand further from, or closer to the bridge. Remember you need to be able to hook a finger under the strings to "pop" them as well, and the position of your hand will partly be dictated by the position of the pickup(s).

There is a lot more to tell about "Slapping" just try some of this out and tell me how you get on, I can post more tips a little later. Don't be afraid to ask.



Bassman

Nice one Bassman!
I've lent my bass to my friend because he told me he used to play a bit at school and really wants to have another go at practicing and if all goes well he may play bass for any projects I want to start, which is cool, but now I want to get it back so I can try out your advice!
Never mind. Cheers mate!

My Basses are my babies I could never lend them to anyone. I have difficulty in letting other people even play them. I caught a guy at a gig one time opening the case of my Precision because "He played and was interested to se what I had"

I told him that it was ok to have a look providing he didn't mind me breaking any fingers he touched it with.



Bassman

So how's the slapping going?



Bassman

Did you ever get the Bass back?



Bassman