What's the best setua for your bass for slap and popping?

[gruvinforjesus]

I am wanting to take my playing to a different level and have been learning the basics of slap and popping, but I don't think I have the right set up as well as the need to learn how to shape the sound(EQ) for the right tone for the technique. I haven't heard anyone really address this, but I know in talking with a few accomplished guys at some gigs that there's more to it than just playing. Problem is I didn't have time to ask the guys more about their setup's.  Please help!!

[funkStrat_97]

None; it all depends on your attack and the nature of the particfular instrument in question.  My advice: get the bass set up so that it's comfortable for YOU to play regardless of style.

[MrEdabass]

Yeah I agree. When I'm gonna play in a certain style I just basically experiment with the knobs on my bass and on the amp until I get what I'm looking for.

[malthumb]

None; it all depends on your attack and the nature of the particfular instrument in question.  My advice: get the bass set up so that it's comfortable for YOU to play regardless of style.

Yeah I agree. When I'm gonna play in a certain style I just basically experiment with the knobs on my bass and on the amp until I get what I'm looking for.

I agree with what funkStrat_97 and MrEdabass are saying, for the most part.  You will usually find that basses set up for more of a slap style tend to have lower action.  Be careful with this, though, because playing a bass fingerstyle with the action TOO low can result in horrible rattle problems if you are not totally on top of your fingering technique.

As far as amp settings, SOME people (I am not one of them) believe that a "smile" EQ setup sounds best for slap.  A "smile" setting is when the BASS and the TREBLE ranges on the amp are boosted high and the MIDRANGES are turned way down, or scooped.

Personally, I like to try to keep my amp settings as flat as possible and change settings on my bass to get whatever differences in tone I want.  Especially since in service I could go from playing something I like to slap on, like "You Are Good", and then minutes later play something with a more mellow fingerstyle tone like "Never Would've Made It" or "Because Of Who You Are".  Don't have time to be fiddling around with amp settings.  

[dhagler]

Personally, I like to try to keep my amp settings as flat as possible and change settings on my bass to get whatever differences in tone I want.  

+1.  My ear is fairly unsophisticated so flat works for me. I play a Fender Jazz and I recently have started playing with the neck pickup turned all the way down and plucking the strings closer to the bridge.  I like the sound I get from that combination.

[mjl422]

I agree with what funkStrat_97 and MrEdabass are saying, for the most part.  You will usually find that basses set up for more of a slap style tend to have lower action.  Be careful with this, though, because playing a bass fingerstyle with the action TOO low can result in horrible rattle problems if you are not totally on top of your fingering technique.

As far as amp settings, SOME people (I am not one of them) believe that a "smile" EQ setup sounds best for slap.  A "smile" setting is when the BASS and the TREBLE ranges on the amp are boosted high and the MIDRANGES are turned way down, or scooped.

Personally, I like to try to keep my amp settings as flat as possible and change settings on my bass to get whatever differences in tone I want.  Especially since in service I could go from playing something I like to slap on, like "You Are Good", and then minutes later play something with a more mellow fingerstyle tone like "Never Would've Made It" or "Because Of Who You Are".  Don't have time to be fiddling around with amp settings.  

Yeah, I think it's best to find a setting that works well, with whatever style of music you are playing, and leave it.  Then you can adjust the tonal knobs on your bass if needed.

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

If you have a pickup blend knob, you may wanna turn it to the front pickup only when thumping.  At least try it and see if you dig the isolation.  I do that if I know that I will stay towards the front most of the time.

[bassboyblue]

I am wanting to take my playing to a different level and have been learning the basics of slap and popping, but I don't think I have the right set up as well as the need to learn how to shape the sound(EQ) for the right tone for the technique. I haven't heard anyone really address this, but I know in talking with a few accomplished guys at some gigs that there's more to it than just playing. Problem is I didn't have time to ask the guys more about their setup's.  Please help!!

I agree with all the comments,but iv'e always found that a slightly higher action,with low string tension actually let's the bass speak better,i have a quite a few basses,and an example is,i have a passive usa jazz bass 5 string,now i could never get the bass to give that thunk type of percussive tone that jazz basses are famous for,SO!!!i changed to a more flexible string,in my case DR's,and raised the action just enough so it was still very playable,and when a did this,the sound just opened up!!!this may just be a fender type of thing more so then other basses,but i have to tell you,iv'e gone the same route on my other basses too,4,5,and 6 string,SO,in my opinion,go too low and you will choke the tone from your bass,AND,i find that slapping is alot cleaner with a slightly higher action,even M/Miller has a higher action nowdays then he used to have,hope this has been some help to you,J.

[jeremyr]

I don't think you should really have differnt EQ settings for slap vs regular play if you set up your EQ correctly IMHO.

Maybe a little boost of treble on your bass (or the tone pot for you passive guys) and that should be all that's needed.

Find your tone on the amp for finger and your slap tone shouldn't need much if any adjustment from there.

It's all in the hands.

[Torch7]

Maybe a little boost of treble on your bass (or the tone pot for you passive guys) and that should be all that's needed.

Agreed.

[bassthumpa]

It's all in the hands.

Agreed.  The problem I'm trying to work through isn't slap tone, but volume.  I'm triyng to get a balance in my fingers to keep the same level of attack volume-wise when I switch up.

[browntree]

Best setup for s&p'ing?? A brand spankin new set of DR Highbeams (Mediums)!!! LOLS...

Browntree

And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy. I Chronicles 15:16

[bigblackdrummer]

The thing you have to remember is that every bass sounds different even with the slap sound. If you want the fender tone then buy a fender... The thing you need to get down is you slap techniqe, think of a whip. Your thumb is the whip and you're casting from your hand, a whip action. I usually try to slap two or three frets in.

[bassthumpa]

Best setup for s&p'ing?? A brand spankin new set of DR Highbeams (Mediums)!!! LOLS...

True, I've been rockin' the fat beams but wanna try the hi-beams on my Callowhill.  They worked very well on my Roscoe, like bright versions of fat beams.