Deja Posted November 25, 2005 Report Share Posted November 25, 2005 I've had my bass for a while now, and it just doesn't play very nice. You know that feeling on higher range instruments where the strings just want to work with you, you know theyre really soft and good for slapping. Well, i just cant seem to get that no matter how hard i try. Can anyone tell me if it's the strings or bridge or anything like that. I just replaced the crappy strings with ernie ball slinkys. Thx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregP Posted November 25, 2005 Report Share Posted November 25, 2005 There are a lot of factors, but without well-adjusted action it's never going to happen. Shorter scale lengths are helpful, IMO, but plenty of people do fine with any old scale length. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deja Posted November 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2005 So you think just lowering the action will fix it. I got a standard 34" and nobody else seems to have a problem with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregP Posted November 25, 2005 Report Share Posted November 25, 2005 Nobody else has a problem with that scale length, or nobody else has a problem with your bass? ;-) 34" scale is pretty standard and should be fine. Yeah, having low action is crucial for slap bass. Fairly light strings doesn't hurt, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickguard Posted November 25, 2005 Report Share Posted November 25, 2005 It's a new bass, I take it? Then it probably just needs a set up. Take it to shop. You know, I'm starting to understand how delicate this all is...minute changes in the guitar's setup can have a serious effect on its playability... I've been having all kinds of problems with my telecaster lately --the weather changed and the neck's relief changed. I'm trying to get it back to where it was--it's almost there, but there's still a slight variation in string height that has made it much more difficult to play. Before that, I had a problem with a couple of strings slipping on the saddles (the saddles weren't notched). The difference was barely visible --the B string went a little bit wide from the E, a bit too close to the G. I'm talking a difference of about 0.25 millimeters...and suddenly the guitar was unplayable! You wouldn't think that a very small difference could have such an effect, but there it is. So with a proper setup, maybe you'll really like your bass. But it could be permanent -- I had a Ric 4001 I could never fall in love with. Just didn't like the neck, nothing to do about it. And, now that I play guitar, I'm still not sure I like the Fender scale length and string spacing --every time I play my Gibson, it's a relief! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thoughtless 7 Posted November 25, 2005 Report Share Posted November 25, 2005 You know...i have been having serious tuning troubles with my old Ibanez Gio, it kept slipping out of tune and just seemed a little crappy to play lately and i couldn't understand why. Now that you have mentioned the weather, that could and infact probably IS why its been like this. Thank you Idch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deja Posted November 26, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2005 Well im sort of in a rural area so its a fair hike to a shop. I dont really have a problem slapping but they just arent soft enough for me, its probably just the string size, i got 45 - 105 ernie ball standard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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