cris the man Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 i have a 6 string bass , its hard to slap because there is no gap to slap ive heard alembic , music man and warwick are good , any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 It depends on what 6 string you're playing. Some budget sixes have a neck more suitable for a five so string spacing can be tight (as tight as 16mm at the bridge). If you're into slapping and popping, you'll find it far easier on a bass with more generous spacing 18 - 19mm. On a six, this makes for quite a wide neck which can be a stretch for someone with small hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 I think any bass with the right setup and technique is good enough to slap on. *Most* players choose 4 strings to slap on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poptart Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 It' all about the string spacing really - Warwick use 17mm on many of there basses, which makes it tight for pulling on the strings IMO. Look for wider string spacing to make it easier for you - however each player will have his own preferences, many top end companies offer custom string spacing, but 18/19 on a six will be more comfortable for slap but as already said will make for a wider neck, however if you get one with a slim profile this will counter balance this. Your best option is to try as many 6'ers as poss TBH. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6stringbassist Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 Mark Kings Status Kingbass has a 16.5mm string spacing, it's the same as his Alembics were, he felt comfortable with it, and so carried it over on to his Status. My Modulus Q6 has a 17mm spacing, and I find it very comfortable to play, but I don't slap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelboy Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 [quote name='6stringbassist' post='74109' date='Oct 14 2007, 12:27 PM']Mark Kings Status Kingbass has a 16.5mm string spacing, it's the same as his Alembics were, he felt comfortable with it, and so carried it over on to his Status. My Modulus Q6 has a 17mm spacing, and I find it very comfortable to play, but I don't slap.[/quote] I have 3 basses with 16.5mm string spacing and have no problems slapping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_the_bass Posted October 14, 2007 Share Posted October 14, 2007 played a gig at a sailing club last night little lad, probably about 12 maybe - "is that what flea plays?" (referring to my stingray) "yeah" says I, "amongst others. Do you play? Do you want to have a go?" "what really?" he says all excited now I can't slap for toffee but this lad put my playing to shame so yeah, i imagine a stingray is probably quite good for slapping, especially if you've got 12 year old's sized hands! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cris the man Posted October 15, 2007 Author Share Posted October 15, 2007 [quote name='bassman2790' post='74078' date='Oct 14 2007, 10:34 AM']It depends on what 6 string you're playing. Some budget sixes have a neck more suitable for a five so string spacing can be tight (as tight as 16mm at the bridge). If you're into slapping and popping, you'll find it far easier on a bass with more generous spacing 18 - 19mm. On a six, this makes for quite a wide neck which can be a stretch for someone with small hands.[/quote] ah nice , cheers - i play an edge Q6 (Dean) , its not designed for slapping but i do anyhow becuase i love the sound , theres 13mm gap between each Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cris the man Posted October 15, 2007 Author Share Posted October 15, 2007 [quote name='john_the_bass' post='74219' date='Oct 14 2007, 06:08 PM']played a gig at a sailing club last night little lad, probably about 12 maybe - "is that what flea plays?" (referring to my stingray) "yeah" says I, "amongst others. Do you play? Do you want to have a go?" "what really?" he says all excited now I can't slap for toffee but this lad put my playing to shame so yeah, i imagine a stingray is probably quite good for slapping, especially if you've got 12 year old's sized hands![/quote] stringray! is that the new one with the extra pickup? i saw one of those and i really loved it - would the 5 string version have the same gap between each string? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_the_bass Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 [quote name='cris the man' post='74422' date='Oct 15 2007, 08:31 AM']stringray! is that the new one with the extra pickup? i saw one of those and i really loved it - would the 5 string version have the same gap between each string?[/quote] No mine's a single humbucker and I've not tried a five so I don't know what the spacing is sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muse_Cubed Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 In the end I think learning to slap on a 5/6 stringer is ultimately character building so I'm quite intrigued to try it out on a 4. That said I've always had problems with hitting the B string so my new bass (now in business post!) is tuned up EADGC instead. I don't like slapping on my Rapture anyway (not to mention the fact I've got medium gauge strings on it!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I'd chime in and say, with a bit of extra practice, you can slap on any string spacing. Take a look at Bill Dickens, on his 7 and 9 string basses. He uses a 16mm spacing with little trouble. ;o) Come to think of it Mark King plays a 16.5mm spacing on his Alembics and Status basses. I'd say the right set up on a bass is far more important. However, a few derivative slap styles appear to work better on a wider spacing and lighter strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I mainly slap on my 4-stringers as well... 5-ers are good too, but not my KingBass V. I ordered it with the 19mm string spacing, but the graphite neck is sooo resonant that the B string constantly booms as you play. So excellent neck and ultra, ultra fast, but too boomy for the job. Nuff said Getting a Yamaha TRB-6 in the next couple of weeks, so will be commenting on the slappability of that one soon as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cris the man Posted October 16, 2007 Author Share Posted October 16, 2007 nice stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB1 Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 [quote name='cris the man' date='Oct 14 2007, 10:15 AM' post='74073'] i have a 6 string bass , its hard to slap because there is no gap to slap ive heard alembic , music man and warwick are good , any suggestions? MB1. Yeah......STATUS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cris the man Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelboy Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 (edited) [quote name='MB1' post='75124' date='Oct 16 2007, 04:26 PM']MB1. Yeah......STATUS! [/quote] +1 Graphite necks are the easiest to get your slap on! Edited October 17, 2007 by angelboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 The neck material has no bearing on making the bass easier to slap on. It does however have a bearing over how easy it is to set a low useable action, which makes it easier to slap on . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 [quote name='cris the man' post='74073' date='Oct 14 2007, 10:15 AM']i have a 6 string bass , its hard to slap because there is no gap to slap ive heard alembic , music man and warwick are good , any suggestions?[/quote] Seeing as you've mentioned Alembic I'm going to assume you can afford one If you have one custom built, they'll give you any string spacing you ask for. If you're buying 2nd hand, try to get their 'comfort spacing'. it's a bit wider at the bridge and a bit narrower at the nut than the standard spacing and makes slapping very easy. I have no problems on my 5s and can switch to my mates 6 string europa pretty easily. interestingly (or maybe not) this isn't the same spacing as mark King has on his alembics - his are wider at the nut and narrower at the bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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