SLAP BASS SECRETS with Bobby Vega

[@ezzong]

Bobby Vega will make every purists lookin like a clown. Fingerstyle? Pick? Slapping? He mastered it all without any need to listen to any judgements, prioritizing on serving what the music's need and most importantly, having fun.

[@vincentkoster6291]

I freaking love Bobby's playing and techniques

[@martinrockport2485]

I like his description of 'tone' using his hands across his mouth and his nose. Actually more relatable than you might imagine.

[@garrybrown7372]

Bobby is a very underrated-ish bassist. He’s got great groove and a phenomenally tasty technique.

[@JoshuaDb_The_Witness]

This dude has been a session player for so long, he's like "man, whatever the gig needs... "... love it.

[@slyane7320]

Scott,thank you for featuring 2 bass players that play with both picks & finger style...and the 2 you featured are FRICKING LEGENDs!!! About time you had Bobby & John Deacon!!!!!

[@Wettendorff-music]

I could watch this video again and again, forever and ever... Bobby Vega is the king of bass playing:D

[@doctorsteveb4906]

It's not just the slapping he does but also the chords he plays with his other fingers that make it so distinctive and amazing

[@WTHFX]

Only guy I've heard play "Hair" where it sounded like he was channeling Larry Graham. Bobby's ears and hands are off the charts.

[@callingchristiano]

Sorry to say but Bobby is so far away from Larry

[@cloudysky9991]

Yep he is way better than larry

[@Funkbrother213]

His feel is killin’. His technique is so smooth and fluid

[@lilpbass]

I could listen to Bobby noodle all day long. So funky, so groovey

[@robertschaeffer5861]

It's gotta be groovy... He has to listen too...

[@crap7123]

i love when bassists say "basically"

[@sansocie]

Bobby is one of a kind. I smile everytime I run across his name or hear a riff of his! Great post Scott.

[@tomshiben6982]

the man understands.... and can explain!! A true treasure!

[@bw8669]

The fact that he uses his right fingers to alter the tone is nek level! What a legend. #ineedtopracticemore. Loved this vid, thanks Scott.

[@khronscave]

The thing about the (passive) tone control on guitars or basses is that it's a bit of an "interactive" system - the cut-off frequency will depend on the value of the capacitor (usually in the nF, or nanofarads, range), the value of the tone potentiometer and the impedance of the pickups. Just switching or blending between the latter will end up with potentially different characteristics.

[@mainlybass7137]

his style is so unique and funky// love it

[@shaolinzendragon4737]

Bobby Vega is just.... Phenomenal. Scott 😉👍🏿 Love ya, Brutha. Thank you for all of your instructional vlogs and bringing us these AMAZING interviews. You are a great Bassist and a great Instructor.

[@Metalbass1979]

I first discovered Bobby while watching some MXR demo videos. Totally awesome player. Needless to say, I ended up buying some MXR pedals.

[@ec-hi1br]

Bobby Vega is a unique and natural TALENT, He does things SPONTANEOUSLY. !

[@MrKafein]

First video of the day, best way to start working along with a noice cup of coffee, thanks Scott !

[@micktomazou]

Thanks Scott...really enjoyed this...but then I enjoy most of your vids.

[@robertovoi5803]

What a TOP LESSON from Bobby

[@och70]

I could watch Bobby Vega play bass all damn day long.

[@charlesfinney1055]

BV..is a 1 of the best bassist around..period..

[@1bassman9]

Bobby Vega plays with such a beautiful swing in his play that you don't miss any other instruments !!!

[@noah-loyaltothesoil101]

Right on bro, all the best 10min of my day

[@mglaser6811]

Wow what a great bass player...his rhytmicality is way the...absolutely on the spot...marvelous guy with a great sense of humor 💪👍👍

[@jrbass62]

I'm going to get a jazz so I can play like that!! Just swapped my 3 knob jazz to 2 knob. Like it !!

[@06xdforxd]

0:17 made me smile back, you hypnotist!

[@la196]

Gotta love listening to Bobby's reasoning on "stuff":) Thanks for the "treat" Scott!

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

Of all the musicians I have ever heard speak, amazingly, it's bass players who I respect the most. I am foremost a guitar player, and I would go further to say I am an acoustic guitar player. I absolutely love funk, and just hearing these giants play. Bass technique has always been stunning to me, because it incorporates drum and guitar techniques. Guitarists have known about capacitors for a long, long time. I am surprised most bass players haven't picked up on this stuff sooner; if you only watch bass videos, you're missing out on a lot of wonderful music! Always great videos, Scott!!! 🐰🤘🎸👍🏼

[@skipbauchmam5995]

Awesome player. Very unpretentious guy. Very enjoyable to watch and learn.

[@vincentcuevas]

Bobby is a freakin' beast!!!

[@jeremyenriquez2250]

Seriously 👽 Bobby is the man!

[@babayaga1767]

Whenever hes asked about his right hand technique he has a really slick way of never answering it cook

[@brandonyankees1]

You should get remco groove lab on

[@michaelanthony9068]

Everybody that slaps well makes it look so easy ! I can’t stop fighting my bass when I try to slap. I feel like I was born without something that good slippers have. Wa wa.

[@upgrayeddjohnson2018]

I like Bobby cause he knows how to be an artist. It's not about what you play, it's just how you play it. He's not super technical, but he has licks.

[@georgewilliams7227]

Bobby Vega is the freakin man!!!

[@McDoinky]

Bobbys the kind of guy you can't get technique lessons from, but rather his personal approach to playing

[@robertschaeffer5861]

If you can find one of Flea's first interviews... You're comment will develop a new depth...

[@maks886]

The capacitors and potentiometers (basically resistors) make up what's called an RC filter. By varying the resistance (turning the pot) you are tuning the filter to (ekhm) filter out frequencies above a certain value (treble cut) or below a certain value (bass cut). Of course, the frequency also depends on the value of the capacitor.

[@michaelstram]

My dad had a 64 jazz that had that vintage dark sound. And with brand new strings it had a unique growl.

[@BassJapanDirect]

What a great 10mins. Bobby is correct: the type of capacitor (mylar, ceramic, oil paper, etc) and value definitely makes a notable difference to the character of tone. Source. I've changed caps on basses 100s of times and noticed subtle, to huuuge differences. Damn I love Bobby's playing and approach so much, inspirational .... And, lol, my wife also does that "I'll tell you when you get back" thing too... 😂 Drives me nuts... psychological torture!

[@GaryJibilian]

Bobby is a Bass Monster!!!

[@shauncollins5029]

Yep cap value combined with pot value creates the filter shape and range. High value pots 500k are brighter than 250 k. 1mega ohm pot is brighter, offering the least resistance to the pickup output. Cap value effects the center point of the filter range. There are also treble bleed circuits to keep a more open sound when the volume pot is used, feeding the treble back into the output.

[@mv9787]

Very good points concerning the tone 👍🏻

[@palomusic79]

Thank you ,made my Sunday

[@aineo2888]

Capacitor impedance is frequency dependent, getting lower as the frequency increases. I used to have a Rickenbacker with the capacitor in series with the pickup, which choked bass frequencies. I switched the capacitor to parallel to pickup and this let bass through and I could slice off highs.

[@linovinn7011]

Maybe one of the most important videos/information on professional slapping. The capacitor is really that important. With 20 cents you can change the root sound of your bass if you own a soldering iron :-)

[@melvinhunt8420]

Very clean and smooth

[@mr.luiscastro7531]

Bobby has a 🥁 in his hands

[@ethanlocke3604]

luis alfredo ruiz castro you mean he has a 🥁 For his hands

[@jackweinberg8681]

Both of your Basses are so nice

[@morrisman64]

Great video thanks Scott

[@computerscientist5953]

Does anyone know how to play that strum pattern at 1:45?

[@kongandbasses8732]

There are some videos available on KZbin on the subject of capacitators and how they influence the high end and high mids. I for myself am looking for the sweet spot at the tone knob, what is depending on the bass at 10 - 25%, and use my fingers for different tones. My 1964 P needs only 10%, the MiM 50's Classic P needs about 20%, YMMV. No toneknob twiddeling while playing for me. You have fingers, use 'em!

[@garethsweetday175]

this man the great bass players

[@drjazz7278]

Love to see him play live with a drummer and just a guitarist. Would sound and immense and sell tickets I'm sure .. does he tour at all ?

[@Punkhawkyrtl]

Does clinics here and there. He's predominantly a recording bassist nowadays

[@TheWaters222]

Search for live shows by the bands Zero and KVHW.

[@shokid95]

He is amazing

[@chedhead3278]

Cheers Scott, great stuff. :)

[@MrKrampyHands]

I’ve been lucky enough to talk to Bobby it was nice and it was about a specific amp he needed parts for it was very hard to get that said part for a retired pjb m500 head but apparently he liked this Phil Jones bass head the man makes phenomenal stuff to bass it’s assembled in China still sounds great though

[@awiems]

Hey Scott, how did you get that Moollon distressed bass that you are holding at the beginning of the video?? I want that bass!

[@timgomes4810]

i'm not much into slapping, but if it has bobby vega, i watch it

[@biga6856]

Bobby is not giving away his secrets 🤣.

[@aldreich31]

Yeah..

[@leogold75]

Why my bass and my hands can do this? It's an alien Bobby Vega!! :)

[@jayl5941]

Wow! Never heard of him (which is too bad). He's incredible. Also, that is the sexiest bass I've ever seen.

[@Terrible_Peril]

Someone keep him in a bubble, safe for all eternity.

[@robertschaeffer5861]

Didn't realize Bob Vega until he sat in for Rocco Prestia...

[@joycesanders4898]

Please..he a National Treasure..is.

[@thebassnsixx]

I agree with you

[@theTrend7]

I LOVE THE WAY HE SLAPS......WOW!

[@sheikantoniovonpeanutbutte9667]

Cool interview/demonstration, Bobby is a national treasure, but not much teaching is going on here

[@aaronkim2090]

When did Scott swap the Moollon neck onto the '59 Reissue body?

[@SteveGouldinSpain]

I thought Doug Rauch started the double thumb thing. I've seen videos of him on KZbin where he is slapping with a kind of rest stroke landing on the string below, which is perfect position to come back up with the thumb. That was early 1970's

[@bentpolski]

SCOTT! Is that a Standard FRONT pickup? Or Bobby's favorite EMG'S?

[@DarylGilton]

Bobby Vega is from the Lakeview district of San Francisco played with the violations and numerous city bands including the one time he got the band I was in gig I'm Daryl dozier of the unity band of San Francisco ❤

[@robertentrekin7553]

Do you us Round wound or Flat wound strings in your lessons ?

[@christianskyumcarlsen9774]

I would love to know which string and what's action on Bobby Vega's bass ? I of course know that a lot of the tone comes from Bobby himself and the gear in general :)

[@gtfilter]

Can you talk about non-centered bass strings on a bass? Is this an issue or a non-issue? It seems a lot are concerned about their bass strings specially on 5 stringed ones that are not centered on the dot and slightly favoring the low or high fret edge. Will it affect the tension on the neck? There are no videos covering this topic. There are some videos showing how to adjust it for bolt-on necks but for neck-thru basses that fix is not possible. It seems to bother me also, being tthe perfectionist that I am.

[@4Timesdafunky]

INSANE! 🤯🤯🤯🎸

[@devinebass]

🔥🔥🔥

[@RussianMoses]

He's a magician!

[@israelantonini]

Bobby Vega, brincando, já é fantástico hahaha

[@philosophyoftrucking]

The problem with these cats is that it all comes so very natural, that they make rather poor teachers. They can just make it happen. It's the same with hall of fame athletes.

[@robertschaeffer5861]

Best advice that hit me was..."keep your hands on your instrument "... another was in many forms...sing what you play or play in phrases/riffs...

[@metalheadblues]

Hard work beats talent

[@joycesanders4898]

..maybe you been trying too hard..jus a thought.

[@MarcinKubica]

Just don't watch :)

[@trailerfitter2]

It's about feeling the Force!

[@dbboi33]

Just like that!🤯🤯

[@Syncop8rNZ]

I often hear people talk about turning the tone knob "wide open" or " up full" as if it were a volume knob. Surely doing thist just makes it more trebly than 'normal', just as turning it the other way makes it more bassy than normal?

[@nofretzDW]

Scott, have you ever tried to contact Alex Al to be the subject of one of your videos?

[@giovannibortoluzzi1384]

2:00 "you're doing the up" . I waited for the answer but nothing -.- . Later I figured out by myself that he was doing triplets with thumb-down/thumb-up/pluck

[@FlameWizzard]

1:54 -> best explanation

[@upgrayeddjohnson2018]

Personally I do double downs like Louis Johnson instead of the double thumb technique.

[@jhowe5571]

Hey, Scott. Was curious if you're aware of Davie504's challenges? Was wondering if you'd considered doing his latest challenge?, Aye??? BTW... Thumb that like button and clang that bell, for Scott, right now!!!! Also, yes, the capacitors do make a difference in the tone circuit. The potentiometer will effect it a little, depending if it's a 250k or 500k. At least in it's tone sweep, as you turn it... It wasn't mentioned here, maybe b/c Mr. Vega doesn't have any active basses but, would've been good to add to the comments and/or asking him about it...

[@oockeewoockie666]

OH MY FUNKING GOD

[@mr.t382]

Hey guys! Those strings sound great for slap but kinda thin. Maybe Roto 35-..???.... What you think?

[@kitendwamervin8430]

Hey Scott....I HV watched this vid 100 times over but failed to replicate bobby Vegas index finger triplet fill....please help

[@Slownoisedubs]

Awesome 👍

[@devinebass]

🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@sergiotambelini9103]

B Vegga TOP!!!

[@reesedavis3499]

Legend

[@Naniamania3]

You can’t teach Bobby. The Bobby lesson is that there’s no right or wrong...play for the song. Technique aside, he’s making music.

[@robertschaeffer5861]

Know what sounds and tones you want to express and develop the muscle memory slowly at first...Victor Wooten did a excellent example in video and/or book...

[@WTHFX]

Bobby reminds me of Rocco Prestia, Jaco or Larry Graham. Someone with so much natural musicality that he really doesn't think in terms of technique. It's more of a biological hypersensitivity and responsiveness that can't help but transmit brilliant music. You can teach "what" Bobby does but you can't teach "how" Bobby comes up with it. In the words of Arthur C. Clarke, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" - Bobby's a magician.

[@Naniamania3]

WTHFX Bobby actually filled in for Rocco in TOO when he had to take some extended leave.

[@antoniomonteiro1203]

He was wise enough to say "I think it is (the capacitor) but..." It isn't. The capacitor with the tone at the maximum is almost unnoticeable. This is relatively easy to test: disconnect one of the sides of the capacitor and solder two pieces of wire long enough to reach a mini-switch outside. Then flip it on and off to see the difference.

[@identiticrisis]

He was talking about the tone control being in a more closed position, so the capacitance does come into play. The whole instrument's electrical circuit (including the amp's input impedance) constitutes an "RLC low-pass filter", so as you reduce the resistance into the additional parallel capacitance offered by the "tone cap", it starts to have a greater effect. Different values of this capacitor, in combination with the other components (pickups, amp, pots), affect the cutoff frequency of said filter, hence the hands-over-mouth "wah" demonstration in the video. Different capacitor materials, construction, quality, age etc. have a more broadband effect that is probably best considered separately. Changing the parallel resistance (the "unused" resistance in the potentiometers at full volume, say), changes the "Q factor" of the effective filter, i.e. how peaky it is, and this can accentuate or reduce the effect of the tone capacitor. This is why high value volume pots make the instrument sound brighter and more sonically "narrow". Remove the pots altogether and in some cases you have an unstable "filter" (bad times), but usually you just get a very crisp sound (with a bass anyway; guitarists generally hate it) - hence switches for pickups, or a switchable pot, or a cut track in the pot to achieve the same thing. Note that turning down the tone control removes parallel resistance and significantly reduces the cutoff frequency (of the entire low pass filter) over and above the effect of the tone cap value itself, often resulting in an overly dark sound. To "compensate", larger capacitor values that have a stronger effect sooner on the "closing" of the tone control (notice 10-15% was mentioned in the video) are often used. This is why switchable capacitor values (including an option for no capacitor), and with no tone pot at all, are a more interesting solution to tone shaping. E.g. Varitone (originally also used an extra inductor as well), Tonestyler etc. Active electronics are a different game altogether, but you still have the passive RLC circuit up to the built-in pre-amp itself, and the rules still apply there if you want to get creative.

[@antoniomonteiro1203]

@@identiticrisis The important part in my point is "almost unnoticeable". Although I see you understand the physics, the important thing here is how much each element is relevant for the final result. If you calculate the impedance of a typical 22nF capacitor in series with a typical tone variable resistor of 500KOhm, you will get about 15Hz of cutoff frequency. This means the total impedance of that branch in the guitar frequency range is almost only determined by the resistor value, when at the maximum value. For instance at 1KHz, the impedance of the capacitor is about j7200 ohm. When you sum the resistance and capacitance (vector sum) you get approximately 500,050 ohm (module of the complex 500000 + j7200). This means the effect of the capacitor in the impedance of this branch is only 1 part in 10000. So, as I said, "The capacitor with the tone at the maximum is almost unnoticeable".

[@identiticrisis]

@@antoniomonteiro1203 I think you're the only one talking about the tone being at maximum. It's _designed_ to be unnoticeable at that setting. Everyone should try removing the tone control and just putting various capacitors across the output. Start small. Remember these instruments were always made to a price.

[@wingedrhinotv]

What he said about capacitors - I think the larger the capacitance, the higher the amount of treble that gets cut with each unit of turn of the tone pot. And capacitors are ridiculously cheap. So you should be able to try out a whole bunch to see what works best! I'm sure there's some sort of a holder for these capacitors you can buy in an electronics store that'd be soldered into the circuit so that you don't have to solder the capacitors themselves, thus making the process of changing them painless.

[@robertschaeffer5861]

Lindy Fralin did just that so he could test his just built pickups...Lindy has a video out there somewhere using the capacitor box...

[@allthebass]

Scott: You complete me. Me: Shut up. You had my “like” at Bobby V.....you had my “like” at Bobby V......😭

[@virdesire]

frickin awesome

[@martinarnold5239]

so how do you do that triplet thing?

[@srenlund3770]

Thump down - thump up - pluck

[@vladlabcraft]

This is how to make love with the bass guitar!