Megadeth420247 Posted November 16, 2003 Share Posted November 16, 2003 I got a bass guitar that sounds like utter crap and I read reviews on my line of bass (ibanez tr 70 and it said they all suck with slap. if i replace the stock pickups with some good ones could that possibly make the slap sound better or am i doomed to buying another bass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Phil Posted November 16, 2003 Share Posted November 16, 2003 it depends on what you replace them with. I think that you can get a decent slap sound out of any bass. Just got dial it in right. I got a decent tone from a Squire P-bass... http://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/blue.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/black.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/fuscia.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/grey.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/orange.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/purple.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/red.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/yellow.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenLoy Posted November 16, 2003 Share Posted November 16, 2003 Start by turning both your pickups up full. Slap tends to sound better on a two-pickup bass if both pickups are on full. Changing pickups will change the sound, but if the tone of the bass is crap to begin with, all new pickups will do is enhance the crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted November 16, 2003 Share Posted November 16, 2003 am i doomed to buying another bass Is that so bad? I just looked up your bass and found that you can buy a new one for $179. Some people on this forum own cables which cost more than that. I don't think putting $100 worth of pickups into this beast is a good investment. Get a part-time job and start saving your pennies for a bass that is worthy of your talent. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC Posted November 16, 2003 Share Posted November 16, 2003 I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megadeth420247 Posted November 17, 2003 Author Share Posted November 17, 2003 you can't buy a new version of my bass. its like 5 years old and ibanez discontinues most of their old models. (this one is discontinued) ok I probably stated my tone issue wrong. My bass sounds great, the only part of my tone that sucks is when slapped. I'm not sweating on buying a new bass, I have a pretty good full time job so I can afford it but I am just looking for a cheaper alternative because slap is the only thing that doesnt sound good from my rig. It has stock pickups which aren't going to be good considering its a cheap bass, that is why I was curious if this could change the only flaw I see with my instrument. (yeah im in love with my bass and dont wanna buy a new one... so what?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 Well, maybe it's your slapping that's the problem then. Bring it over, let me try it. I can usually get a good slap sound out of almost anything. Is this your bass? Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie bass dude Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 Originally posted by jeremyc: [QB]Well, maybe it's your slapping that's the problem then. Or Technique, try different ways, lower your pick ups, but never give up. I have a Squier P bass at home, and with a setup mods, its goes ok no beer until July 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc taz Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 My old BB300 works great for slap. Heck, with enough amp gain, I can use it for just about anything. I like it best for tunes that don't need a lot of high end, though. That bass also has the highest action amongst my stable of booty planks. sevenstring.org profile my flickr page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcbn Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 Definitely work on your technique though.... I never really "learned" slap bass, I guess I haven't had much of a reason to, yet. BUT, I have had a few tips here and there from other bassists in the last few months and I've been getting better sound. I found that I was hitting the strings as hard as I possibly could, and you don't need that. Hell, I've started using the lightest touch that I can on the majority of my playing and I've noticed an overall tonal improvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megadeth420247 Posted November 17, 2003 Author Share Posted November 17, 2003 jeremyc - yes that is my bass in the pic. i know how to slap my friend showed me but this was on his bass. i will try adjusting settings first. didnt know that would matter really. if that dont work then i will just change the pickups Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basshappi Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 If you really love everything about your bass except the slap tone then don't change your pickups. Make some adjustments to the action or p'up height and re-evaluate your technique. However, if this doesen't help then I would suggest buying another instrument that will give you the slap tone that you desire. If it ain't broke, don't "fix" it. Nothing is as it seems but everything is exactly what it is - B. Banzai Life is what happens while you are busy playing in bands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 Originally posted by Megadeth420247: if i replace the stock pickups with some good ones could that possibly make the slap sound better I doubt it. What gives a bass a good slap sound is much more to do with the wood and contruction of the instrument. The problem with a lot of less expensive basses is the neck woods and neck joint aren't stiff enough to let the attack come through - my old Hohner has this exact problem, sounds great fingerstyle, awful slapped and no EQ will help it. Alex Barefaced Ltd - ultra lightweight, high ouput, toneful bass cabs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g. Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 Have you tried scooped mids EQing? . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getz out Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 Originally posted by Megadeth420247: i know how to slap my friend showed me but this was on his bass. Oh, in that case... Change your strings. If that doesn't help, learn how to slap. I get coax a decent slap tone out of a 2x4 if it has new strings on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibescotty Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 There's another thing to consider here. If the action on your strings is too low you could be getting lots of fret noise. I've had that problem with my P. Raised the action just hair for slap and I've got some greasy slap goodness. Of course this bass has been giving me some problems in that area recently. I've got a handle on it now though. Without knowing exactly what the poor sound is these are all guesses. Double Posting since March 2002 Random Post Generator #26797 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 Do you have brand new strings on your bass? Try some DR's or Blue Steel's....you want the brightest newest stainless steel strings you can get. Don't hit the strings hard, hit them quickly. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibescotty Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 I'll second the endorsement for DR's. I use High Beams. They are insanely bright sounding strings. My problems came from switching to a different gauge string for some reason. I guess that it changed the tension on the neck and I had to make some adjustments. It's been solid now after a truss rod adjustment. Double Posting since March 2002 Random Post Generator #26797 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaBer Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 Too much relief on the neck can kill your slap tone. So you might want to check that also. As said new strings make a big difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.S.M Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 i have a cheap ibanez 5 string it came with emg select pick ups got a decent slap sound if you replace you may want to see if emg still offer select pick ups Rock-n-roll junkie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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