kwmlondon

Yummy! GLWTS

Beast!!! GLWTS…

That is fricken’ cool!!! Glwts

Just to chip in my 5p's worth. My first experience of playing 5 sting was an Ibanez SR505. I loved the range and the approach and the neck was lovely and slim and fast which suited my small-ish hands, but I found it too difficult to play with a pick or to slap so I went the other way when I though "okay, I'm really into this, gonna go all-in" and got a Dingwall Combustion. Sometimes it is a bit of a challenge, either at near the first or 24th frets but to me it's mainly a technique thing. I mean, check this out:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=183742793618209

Not saying comfort's not something to consider but I was happy to learn to adapt to a wide string spacing and a long neck in exchange for a saleable, pickable bass. 

Just got a Markbas LM gig bag that was just as described and a fair price, arrived in decent time and communication was spot on. Could not ask for a better process. Thank you Ash!

Have one. Can confirm that is great amp. Bump!

Yeah. I've got one of those NY121 cab things. It's okay - i'm guessing it's a LOT nicer when combined with the combo as I find mine a bit wishwashy on its own but my god does it kick out the sound for the size and weight. Sure, it's not got the low end of a big cab but you can lift it with one hand! You can keep up with a drummer with a rig that weighs the same as a carry-on suitcase. Absolutely amazing.

1 hour ago, Dad3353 said:

 

You've not heard me playing, then. 

Pfft. I can sound EXACTLY like Victor Wooten. For one note. It all falls apart after that but that one note, man .... it's amazing!

14 minutes ago, FDC484950 said:

…or just learn how to mute properly on a 5. It’s not rocket science, just muting. And you don’t need a fret wrap either.

Well, playing a bass isn't exactly rocket science is it? It's just whacking a few strings on a bit of wood, any idiot can do it, if that's your way of thinking.

1 hour ago, EBS_freak said:

Right tool for the job and all that!

I know but I DO LOIKE A CHALLENGE!!!

3 minutes ago, EBS_freak said:

In which case, use a 4 string!

Yep. Am doing!

1 hour ago, EBS_freak said:

You can play open strings as long as you dont need a drone from that open string going on.

Yeah, there is a Larry Graham line that needs the open E to ring out while popping the E and D on the 10th and 8th frets of the first string... it's one of my favourites!

11 minutes ago, EBS_freak said:

Gruv Gear Fret wrap!

I can't. There's lines I play where I need open strings to be ringing out so not an option.

You know, slower can be a lot harder…

I have the EXACT same bass, I even put a clear scratchplate on too - really does the top justice. I can totally understand why you'd be so impressed you'd upgrade to one of the Canadian models, it's something I've considered but it may take me a couple of years (I thought of going out to Canada at the same time to collect in person as part of my 50th birthday celebrations). Anyway. Great bass, good price - someone will be a very happy customer...

21 hours ago, ambient said:

Use the left hand fingers that aren’t playing notes. I can slap on a six string. It’s just practice really, maybe sit in front of a mirror and watch what you’re doing?

Yes it is just practice but there are definitely some compromises. Working out what you can get away with is where the experience comes in..

On 03/09/2022 at 11:19, SumOne said:

I went from 4 to 5 strings a few years ago and have always just had one Bass at a time but I'm finding that there are occasions where a 4 is better for slap: Marcus Miller, Flea, Larry Graham, Les Claypool, Mark King, Stanley Clarke etc. can't all be wrong!  (I'm sure there are lots of examples of them playing 5 too, but they often choose 4).

 

That's how I'm justifying getting a 4 string Bass anyway! 

Well I have 3 basses: a 5 string, a 4 string with flats and a 4 string with wounds which do very different jobs. I’m finding it a lot easier to slap on the 5 string for sure!

1 hour ago, StickyDBRmf said:

There are some times when you absolutely need a "ahem", 4-string bass.

Yeah you’re not wrong. There’s a reason why people splat (predictive text slap) on a 4 but that low b can be addictive!!!!

2 hours ago, Jakester said:

Hmm, I see what you mean - just had a quick go at a very rough attempt and when you lift off to allow the E to ring, it's hard to cover the B. 

 

I did try wanging the fretwrap higher up the neck - around 3rd or 4th fret and it cut the B out completely but left the E, A and D ringing when you want them to. It also muted the G, but if you're fretting the octaves higher up the neck than that won't be an issue. 

 

Other option I tried was playing the E on the 5th fret of the B string. Bit of a stretch to the octaves on the G-string etc but worth a try?

I think it’s the agility I’m missing. It’s not a natural thing, takes a lot of thought. Cheers for the input though, much appreciated. 

35 minutes ago, Happy Jack said:

I find a bath towel wrapped around the neck does a great job of stopping the open strings ringing.

 

It also gets rid of that horrible 'slapping' noise.

 

😉

Well, you could just ditch the bass altogether and have a kazoo, a microphone and an octave pedal.

47 minutes ago, Jakester said:

I think I use the ball of my right thumb to mute the B when it's not being played if I can't mute with the LH. I do also have a fretwrap jobbie at the headstock though. 

 

That said I don't really slap that often and certainly not any Wooten-esque pyrotechnics! 

Yeah, I think that I need to bring a whole range of techniques into play. I'm not trying anything wootenesque but there are some absolutely delicious Larrry Graham lines that need open strings to ring out - Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself has an open E while playing a few octaves higher so on an 5 string keeping the B from ringing out is a pain...

1 minute ago, OzJzF said:

IME it's quite a bit more difficult than on a 4 string. The thumb over the top of the neck as per DrT can be helpful, but I find

 

(1) using my index finger flattened out or middle finger if the index is fretting on the A, D or G strings touching the B to mute

 

and (2) the underside of my right (for righties) forearm resting on the B string when I'm not playing it this only works if you play "thumb up" or "thumb parallel" technique and don't go the full Louis Johnson whacking the living daylights out of the instrument...

 

Yeah, this is what I'm doing - reaching over with the thumb for some sections then extending the index finger across at others I think the really tricky maneuvre is switching from one to the other. I'm also using the flesh of my palm to touch on the B and E strings when I can just to temporarily cut of any ringing. I'm a bit of a stickler for muting so it's driving me a bit mad! I guess it's just practise but man it feel fiendish...

6 hours ago, drTStingray said:

If you’re talking the B string resonating, I’ve found that raising my thumb on the back of the fretboard so that it just touches the top of the B string works, as does leaning the back of my right hand against the B string. Slightly less easy than slapping on a 4 string though! 

Good tip. Thanks.

You've got to be a frigging octopus!!! Honestly... Gaaaaaahhhhhh! 

Absolutely no problem with fingers - floating thumb. Pick, bit more difficult but I've got it down but I'm in my early days of slap and I think I'm gonna have to put down the Dingwall and get back on the 4-string for a while. 

Anyone else get frustrated with ringing strings when slapping? And I can't really resort to one of those wrap things as some stuff needs open strings to ring out...

Bought a gig bag - super transaction, very good to deal with, I'm very happy. Thank you Graham!