John Entwistle Quote?

[richbass939]

Thanks everyone.  That was just exactly the explanation/example I was hoping to get.  I haven't been exposed to that side of JE before.  It is a lot like an octave harmonic tap thing that I do for effect sometimes.  For instance, fret the A string at the 3rd fret, tap at the 15th fret and you get the low C, the octave C harmonic, as well as a percussive, slap kind of tone.
Rich

[white_cloud]

Thats exactly correct Rich, you got it! On the old hotlicks JE instructional that is exactly what JE demonstrates!!
 
Very cool effect, perfect for rock music!
 
Terry, the tape I had has long vanished into the mists of time, but yes, during that era I was able to pull it off reasonably well! I was actually more proficiant at playing that way than I was at slapping at that time. I admired slap players like MK but wasnt really into Level 42 or that kind of music. I preferred the Jeff berlin school of melodic bass playing (Alan holdsworth, Bruford etc)
 
Im much better at Slapping now, however The typewriter style that JE used was every bit as punchy as a slap player and really cut through the overall band sound!

[richbass939]

John, I agree about the punchy tone that typing gives. And it's a very fast technique.  The way I do it (maybe I just need to learn the correct way) my hand isn't in a position to pop along with it very easily.  But for just the slap part, it has just as much slap punch as the thumb slap method.
Rich

[white_cloud]

Absolutely Rich!
         
This technique is perfect for Alembic basses because of the incredible treble high tones that can be achieved..fit a fresh set of strings, typewrite away, and BAM! Pure John Entwhistle!

[briant]

I find that I can get that same super-aggressive tone on my Alembic with just normal playing as long as my EQ is setup properly and I'm overdriving the input tubes on my amp.  Snarly good times. :-)