Slapping on a 6 string?

[Shaun]

I am considering a 6 string bass as my next instrument.
Is it common/easy to slap on a 6 string bass, or is it awkward?
I am really into slapping.

[ped]

Can be, can't be - depends on your technique and the bass itself.. my Alembic had 17mm spacing which was a little tight but then again you get the benefit of a thinner neck. Best to try some out first, but there should be no reason whay it would be any more difficult if you get the spacing and neck profile right.

[Dood]

Agree with Ped.. Sometimes a little adjustment of technique is required, but it is very much possible. Don't let anyone tell you other wise. I slap on a 7er (16mm spacing) . Bill 'The Buddha' Dickens slaps like a crazy mofo on a 9 string! (I reckon he'll have some clips on you tube.. possibly)

[lukeward2004]

As the others have said, its personal choice - Dood slaps on a 7 string, Ped slaps on 4's and 5's, and I slap mostly on a 4 but with the right string spacing, I can slap a 5er too.

A 6 string should be know different but it does depend hugely on the string spacing, and your technique. I learnt to slap on Jazz basses, so I am most effective slapping 4 or 5 string Jazzers - however ive never been able to get along with 6 strings so I stick to 4's and 5's.

Just my personal preference!

[STU-SBL]

I agree with Ped, Dood and Luke

I slap on 5's - but have done fine with 6'ers and tight 5's - and I have rather large hands.

If anything I think slapping on 6'ers tends to improve your technique. As you have to think a little more you start to develop a much more economical slapping technique, your movements have to be more accurate and I've found it a good way to create intricate sounds with slap.

Don't be put off by the amount of strings

[Kiwi]

I can't get along slapping on a 6, I tend to use 4's and 5's instead. Les Claypool is another player who slaps well on a fretless Carl Thompson 6 of all things.

[The Funk]

The Buddha

[urb]

In my humble opnion Alain Caron is the cleanest slapper on a 6 string - his tone is much nicer than The Budda's as well - he uses a pretty straightforward technique - he bascially does a down-stroke with the thumb then does an up-pluck with his index finger, meaning he can play very clean 8th notes - he then adds in double plucks for triplets and to crate different accents in a bass line, he also double thumbs - catching the string with the back of his thumb on the upstroke. Plus he does some normal slapper things like bouncing his thumb plus some left hand damping / patting on the neck.

This is a great video of him playing 'Slam The Clown' which is slapped throughout - you can clearly see how he uses the alternating thumb and index - plus he seems to play very lightly - it's all a matter of training those damn fingers to do what you want them to! His technique is so clean it's not about speed just the clarity of his execution - that makes his sound so good - he's a tasteful bastard as well...damn!

Cool Vid
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkOYGlI-zoo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkOYGlI-zoo[/url]

Hope that helps

Mike

[Ba55me15ter]

Interesting to see Alain Caron using his right pinkie to anchor against the body quite a bit. That's something I found myself doing when trying the whole double-thumbing thing, but I tried to resist it just cos Vic doesn't do it. Sod it, doesn't seem to do Alain any harm!

[Machines]

I find 4's the least 'effort' to slap on. Have had a 5/6 string too - could be done but found I had to concentrate alot more.

[ADJazzBV.aco]

Ofcourse you can slap on 6 string bass, you will just need some time to adjust!
Good Luck