Bass Slap & Pop

SYLV9ST9R

SYLV9ST9R

Well-known member
My brother-in-law asked me to build a pedal for his brother.
He asked me something focussed on slap & pop playing.
As I'm in no way versed in the BASS, I thought I'd ask for recommendations here (either single or 2 pedals I could combo)
Looking at some web resources, it pointed me towards maybe a compressor and an EQ/filter, but I maybe would like something more exotic (or maybe that's what is needed).
So let me know if you have some insight on this.
 
I'm a strictly non slap bassist so not the best advisor on subject but you have the right idea. I only use compression on my upright but I bet a thumbsucker with an EQ Anyone would likely be a good combo out of the available pedalpcb projects.

That being said, the comp and eq I've been using lately are the sheepylove squishy sheep (CS-2) and equilux. FreakZEQ is also an interesting if not overly powerful eq device. Either of those EQ will be much harder to dial in than the EQ Anyone.

Could always throw an envelope filter in there too. Slappers usually enjoy a good quack.
 
SYLV9ST9R said:
My brother-in-law asked me to build a pedal for his brother.
He asked me something focussed on slap & pop playing.
As I'm in no way versed in the BASS, I thought I'd ask for recommendations here (either single or 2 pedals I could combo)
Looking at some web resources, it pointed me towards maybe a compressor and an EQ/filter, but I maybe would like something more exotic (or maybe that's what is needed).
So let me know if you have some insight on this.
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My recommendation would be a compressor. It gives you the ability to tame the slap and still get fingertip and fretboard dynamics. An EQ would be another good choice, but depending on the style we're talking about a more interesting choice might be a phaser. Listen to "For the Love of Money" by The O'Jays -- that's classic phaser and compression.
 
Bricksnbeatles said:
A nice compressor is good to even levels out, but not super exciting. Phaser is killer on slap bass— maybe a phase II? The NE-1 seems like it could be good too, but idk
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I agree that a compressor isn't super exciting, but as a bass player, I think it's the foundation of all other bass tone. Yeah, it doesn't do anything cool, but I'll tell you that if I could only have one pedal on a bass board, it would be a compressor.
 
Would be good to have an idea what he has/needs. Decent chance a compressor is already in his possession.
A standalone parallel blender with phase invert. Maybe toss in a low pass filter for the dry side
Again. Not sexy but a great utility.
 
chris.knudson said:
I agree that a compressor isn't super exciting, but as a bass player, I think it's the foundation of all other bass tone. Yeah, it doesn't do anything cool, but I'll tell you that if I could only have one pedal on a bass board, it would be a compressor.
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Definitely. I just figure if you’re building a gift, might as well make it an exciting one. He could buy a compressor on his own that’ll do the job just fine for cheap— if he’s getting a custom built pedal it may as well be something sorta unique, right?
 
HamishR said:
Bear in mind that I'm not a huge fan of slap bass... My suggestion for an exciting pedal would be one that slapped him back every time he slapped the bass. I'd pay to see that.
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A slapback, you say? A delayed response maybe? Hmm, feels like I've heard those words before.
 
SYLV9ST9R said:
it pointed me towards maybe a compressor and an EQ/filter,
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Meridian compressor (Guyatone PS-20) with bass specs (see instructions) :


Your brother in law will be so grateful for ever for this life-changing tool. I hope it won't be too overwhelming.

This compressor can also do a lot of EQing, Color and Exciter controls are amazing to shape the tone.

A light tube overdrive might be useful to add some crunch. I know the Bass Amuser (web diy project) will do wonders :

www.musikding.de

Bass Amuser, 79,00

The bass Amuser is an overdrive pedal specially for Bass It was develpoped in the Musiker-Board, a very large german music instrument forum Credits go to
www.musikding.de www.musikding.de

A more traditional approach would be the ODB-3 variant from GCI, it's also quite impressive :


Everything coming from GCI is interesting, they have many diy bass effect projects. They aren't focusing on pop music, though...

What about doom metal, if i may ask ?

Bass slap and pop are one thing, but soon or later a bass player needs a bass fuzz, i think it's even written in the Holy Diode's Holy Scriptures :

"You can't slap for ever" electro-psalm n° 845W236C-1

www.pedalpcb.com

Cream Pie Fuzz - PedalPCB.com

Compare to Frantone Cream Puff
www.pedalpcb.com www.pedalpcb.com


tagboardeffects.blogspot.com

Moosapotamus Acoustic 360 Bass Fuzz

Collection of vero (stripboard) & tagboard layouts for 100s of popular guitar effects, with over 1000 verified designs. DIY your own boutique effects!
tagboardeffects.blogspot.com tagboardeffects.blogspot.com
 
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About the Meridian, the Sustain control is able to increase the attack and give noticeable and interesting results, especially when Sustain is fully CW. It's effective, but it won't give the same results as other types of compressors (not dyna-style) set at extreme values.

I think these extreme attack settings available on other compressors often distort the signal, especially when you are slapping, so you won't miss anything useful. Although, in my experience, the most suited compressor, for a specific style of music, can very much depend on the equipment involved (active/passive pickups, type of strings, etc.).
 
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While there are MANY excellent suggestions given for all types of effects, I don’t understand a lot of people’s comments…

Compressors ARE SUPER EXCITING ‘cause what they do is Super COOL and makes them SUPER-SEXY-AS-F^*#!!!

For this given assignment of slap & pop, I recommend the Milk Box ie PedalPCB’s Creamery. Super effecty with good squish and tone.

Also, given the assignment, the slappers tend to like a scooped sound, so some form of EQ that can achieve that while being quick and easy to dial in so it’s not only for slap — anyone can guess which EQ I’ll suggest? Bueller Anyone? N E 1 ? Nathan East EQ, Anyone?

Those two combined will get a great fundamental slap-tone going. THEN you can lubricate it with other effects once the core sound is taken care of.

Flanger can ape both chorus and phaser, and it’s greatest when it is set as its own self, Superflangiliciouse!
Go for the Byzantium or go wild with FV-1 and have it all with the Module8!
 
What’s all this nonsense about a comp not being sexy? Don’t make me flame you in the hot take thread… I got a bar of soap with your name on it.
 
A bass modded auto wah added to what little funk I had when I played bass. I think slap bass got a bad rep; every now and them I'll see someone who is really good at it, and it's a delight to me.
 
SYLV9ST9R said:
My brother-in-law asked me to build a pedal for his brother.
He asked me something focussed on slap & pop playing.
As I'm in no way versed in the BASS, I thought I'd ask for recommendations here (either single or 2 pedals I could combo)
Looking at some web resources, it pointed me towards maybe a compressor and an EQ/filter, but I maybe would like something more exotic (or maybe that's what is needed).
So let me know if you have some insight on this.
Click to expand...
I'm prejudiced for sure, but my open source EQ pedals are specifically tailored to be able to cop the classic Alembic slap bass tone, among many other things. If your friend likes a scooped frequency response these will definitely get you there: https://github.com/Passinwind/PW3B-LPF

I'll have new graphics for the footswitchable v4 ones sometime late this week if all goes to plan. The design is well vetted, I've built several of the latest spec by now and many many older ones.

As far as PPCB boards, the Equilux would probably be my first recommendation. I never use a compressor on bass, so I'll leave that side to others. ;)
 
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