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08-27-2012, 04:31 PM
|  | Basses R Loaded! | | Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Centennial, Colorado | | | 2009 Ken Smith/Sleek Elite "Brooklyn" Custom 5 - Daphne Blue
I purchased this bass new from Brian Barrett at the Low End in 2009 and it has served me well since. It was built in conjunction with Ken Smith by Hajime, a Japanese luthier, who works for Sleek Elite in Japan. It is kind of a cross between a Sadowsky NYC and a Celinder. It is certainly of that build quality if not better. There are no issues, it's in virtually mint condition and it comes with it's original HSC.
The Nordstrand pickups and 3 band preamp are really "out of this world" on this bass. They bring out the character of the instrument very nicely and the master tone control is a feature I have only seen on Xotic basses. You set the 3 band in the normal way and then the master control allows you to adjust them all together. It is very useful when you need to make quick changes to the overall tone of the instrument.
To help give you a better idea of the quality of this bass, Hajime is the luthier who builds the Hadrian F. model bass for Ken Smith. He is a true master and to the best of my knowledge there are only a dozen or so of these Brooklyn Custom basses in existence. Brooklyn BR605-DB Custom 5 String Bass
Neck : 1pc. Hardrock Maple from Ken's In-House Exotic Wood Lumberyard
FB : Maple from Ken's In-House Exotic Wood Lumberyard
Body : Alder
Pickups : Nordstrand
Preamp : Nordstrand
Color : Daphne Blue
Scale : 34"
String Spacing : 19mm
Nut Width : 1.75"
Weight : 9.7 lbs.
Here is a link to an old TB thread where Brian (among others) discusses these basses: Brooklyn J-Bass - G.A.S. Alert!!!
I paid over $3K for this bass and it's in absolutely perfect condition! $2,500.00 plus shipping and fees - FIRM!     
Last edited by swpyne : 08-29-2012 at 01:20 PM.
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08-27-2012, 05:01 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Richmond Heights, OH | | | For those of you not familiar with the bass model, these things are absolutely amazing. I got an opportunity to play one of these a few years back and it blew me away. In my opinion, just as good as any Sadowsky, Alleva, etc. Being a jazz junky, I have wanted to get my hands on one of these for sometime. Maybe if this one is still around for a little bit longer, I will have to swipe it. Also swpyne is an awesome guy to deal with and he knows his stuff. If your looking for an awesome boutique jazz and at stellar price, here you have it! Best of luck with the sale my friend. |
08-27-2012, 05:20 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: RAPISME | | +1 Quote:
Originally Posted by thomasjbass  For those of you not familiar with the bass model, these things are absolutely amazing. I got an opportunity to play one of these a few years back and it blew me away. In my opinion, just as good as any Sadowsky, Alleva, etc. Being a jazz junky, I have wanted to get my hands on one of these for sometime. Maybe if this one is still around for a little bit longer, I will have to swipe it. Also swpyne is an awesome guy to deal with and he knows his stuff. If your looking for an awesome boutique jazz and at stellar price, here you have it! Best of luck with the sale my friend. |
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08-27-2012, 06:29 PM
| | Basses R Loaded! | | Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Centennial, Colorado | | | Thanks guys, it is indeed a remarkable bass. As good as you all say it is! I just have too many these days.......... |
08-27-2012, 06:52 PM
| | | Melvin Lee Davis plays this bass and it sounds great! I'm pretty sure he's playing one in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUu0DNPlv5Y
A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste! 
__________________ Grooving For Him!
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Ken Smith Club Member #5
Phil Jones Bass Club Member #3 Ken Smith\EA\Xotic\Phil Jones Bass |
08-28-2012, 02:44 PM
| | Basses R Loaded! | | Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Centennial, Colorado | | | Bump for a fantastic bass you will likely never see up for sale here again. These are VERY rare! |
08-28-2012, 02:54 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Alexandria, VA but 100% Breton | | | light blue is not my color for a bass, but this one is a beauty...too bad it is not a sixer |
08-28-2012, 03:18 PM
| | Basses R Loaded! | | Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Centennial, Colorado | | Quote:
Originally Posted by jleguy light blue is not my color for a bass, but this one is a beauty...too bad it is not a sixer | I don't believe Hajime has built one of these as a 6 string. I have only seen 4 and 5 string versions. The Daphne Blue color is a lot richer looking in person and I prefer it over the more common Sonic Blue. |
08-29-2012, 01:17 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NYC/NJ | | | WOW ~!!!
and I mean WOW ~!!
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08-29-2012, 11:19 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bangkok, Thailand | | | PM's sent |
08-30-2012, 12:43 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: texas | | | KSD Design
Quote:
Originally Posted by bottomzone | If you will check out the control plate, it is easy to see that he is playing a KSD Design bass, and not the Ken Smith Brooklyn pictured in this OP! Two completely different basses, and hundreds of dollars difference in price!
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Last edited by pedulla-2007 : 08-30-2012 at 12:46 AM.
Reason: content
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08-30-2012, 05:39 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Florida | | Quote:
Originally Posted by pedulla-2007 If you will check out the control plate, it is easy to see that he is playing a KSD Design bass, and not the Ken Smith Brooklyn pictured in this OP! Two completely different basses, and hundreds of dollars difference in price! | Yep, that's a modified KSD he's playing.
Here's a 4 string version of what the OP has for sale http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2IsfKO3GGc
Obviously not Melvin Davis 
Last edited by Low Class : 08-30-2012 at 06:23 AM.
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08-30-2012, 08:36 AM
| | Basses R Loaded! | | Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Centennial, Colorado | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Low Class | Just to be clear, these Brooklyn basses have nothing in common with KSD basses except for the name "Ken Smith". |
09-12-2012, 06:52 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio | | | Gorgeous bass! Someone needs to pick this up. This is a great deal. |
09-13-2012, 12:58 AM
|  | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: AGUILAR AMPS, DUNLOP, EVIDENCE, LEJ BASSES | | | | | Here she is- I keep thinking about this girl!! Wish I could buy her!
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09-21-2012, 10:48 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: moore, oklahoma | | | brooklyn ksd
I read your posting but do you have any sound clips? or is there any reference as far tone? |
09-21-2012, 10:55 AM
| | Basses R Loaded! | | Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Centennial, Colorado | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Saenzbass I read your posting but do you have any sound clips? or is there any reference as far tone? | I don't currently have any sound clips but to me the Brooklyn 5 sounds a lot like a Sadowsky NYC that I owned but with a little more punch and girth to it's tone. Particularly in the mids and upper lows. The Sadowsky sounded a little thinner to my ear.
Overall these are similar to other high end 5 strings jazz basses out there like Sadowsky, Lull, Celinder, Nordstrand, Fodera and Xotic. |
11-12-2012, 09:00 PM
| | Basses R Loaded! | | Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Centennial, Colorado | | | Well this beauty is once again back up for sale or possibly a trade plus cash that will net me at least $1K.
I'm just not playing 5 string enough these days to justify having two of these (which currently I do).
This bass is absolutely "perfect" in every way. No issues of any kind. Think Sadowsky meets Celinder but built by Ken Smith. It's really that good!
Oh and Dan L, this is your chance to finally snag this baby once and for all......... |
11-12-2012, 09:07 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bangkok, Thailand | | | How's about trade with all original 1978 fender jazz +cash? |
11-12-2012, 09:09 PM
| | Basses R Loaded! | | Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Centennial, Colorado | | Quote:
Originally Posted by notejung How's about trade with all original 1978 fender jazz +cash? | Certainly a possibility, PM me some photos..... | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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