What bass did you use to record the examples?

1972 Fender Precision Bass with Bartolini pickups and a custom active circuit designed and installed by HAZ labs.

What kind of strings do you use?

At the time the original recordings were done I think I was using Roto-Sound strings. It was fmore than 20 years ago, but I think that's right.

When the additional examples were recorded for the 25th Anniversary Edition of Slap It! in the summer of 2005, I used Ken Smith Strings (Round Wound Mediums).

How was your bass recorded?

For both sessions I recorded via a direct box. No amplifier was used.

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What is the best slap bass technique?

There is no "best" technique. Whatever works for you and sounds funky is cool.

That said, the technique I use, and write about in my book, works well for me, and has worked for many of my students.

I would suggest trying as many techniques as you're able to, and then decide which is most comfortable for you. Maybe you'll invent your own. This is what I had to do, since I didn't know anyone who could play slap bass when I was figuring it out. Luckily for you there are now many good books and videos on the subject.

How do you wear your bass?

Most players, if they saw me play, would probably say I wear my bass in a high position. I wear my bass with a strap that keeps the bass suspended off my lap when I'm seated. This way when I'm seated or standing the bass is in about the same position.

How do you play double stops when they are popped? (for example exercises 47 & 48 in the new edition of Slap It!).

I pop the chord note on the D string with my first finger and the chord note on the G string with my second finger.

On the downstroke before the first chord my first finger goes between the D and G string, and my second finger goes into position below the G string. That way on the up stroke I can pop with both fingers.

This works if you're playing with a technique similar to what I describe in the book.

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