KSD 705 Replacement bridge

**DougD** · #1 06-18-2009, 09:16 PM

I'm going to replace the bridge on my KSD 705. Does anyone know what bridge will fit without modification? And yes I searched

Here is a Pict of the bridge.
Notice it has 6 holes,. 2 at the top and 4 on the bottom.
Also what pickups would fir it I decided to replace those too? (no routing)
Thanks in advance
Attachment 130861

walterw · #2 06-18-2009, 09:19 PM

honestly, who cares about the holes? just put something better on there that covers everything, like a hipshot.

now direct-replacement pickups makes more sense, as it's a lot more work to mod the pickup routs.

**DougD** · #3 06-18-2009, 09:34 PM

I would like to avoud drilling extra holes if possible. and I would also like it to be the same size.

**DougD** · #4 06-19-2009, 06:46 AM

Anyone? There must be something out there that will fit. Ihopeihope

gimmeagig · #5 06-19-2009, 09:25 AM

I put Fender Samarium Cobalt Noiseless Pickups on mine and a Gotoh bridge.
A worthwhile modification if the instrument doesn't have other flaws.
I spent a lot of money on my Proto J only to end up with a trussrod problem that the company will not help me with.If you ever do have a problem with that bass, you are completely on your own.My KSD sits in the closet now.One of these days I'll convert it to a 34" neck that actualy works.You can find the threads about the problems I had with the bass and Adam Levy at Brooklyn Gear, if you do a search.

Vakmere · #6 06-19-2009, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimmeagig

I put Fender Samarium Cobalt Noiseless Pickups on mine and a Gotoh bridge.
A worthwhile modification if the instrument doesn't have other flaws.
I spent a lot of money on my Proto J only to end up with a trussrod problem that the company will not help me with.If you ever do have a problem with that bass, you are completely on your own.My KSD sits in the closet now.One of these days I'll convert it to a 34" neck that actualy works.You can find the threads about the problems I had with the bass and Adam Levy at Brooklyn Gear, if you do a search.

+1.....I unloaded my Proto 3 hours after I got it. They're heavy and too long, sound terrible to boot. Zero support but I knew that already. Was considering putting Sadowsky VTC and pups in it but the bass was so uncomfortable to hold and play I sold it on EBay for what I paid for it. Dont let the Ken Smith name on the head stock fool you. If you want a Ken Smith save your money and buy a real one, you'll never be happier........end of story.

**DougD** · #7 06-19-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimmeagig

I put Fender Samarium Cobalt Noiseless Pickups on mine and a Gotoh bridge.
A worthwhile modification if the instrument doesn't have other flaws.
I spent a lot of money on my Proto J only to end up with a trussrod problem that the company will not help me with.If you ever do have a problem with that bass, you are completely on your own.My KSD sits in the closet now.One of these days I'll convert it to a 34" neck that actualy works.You can find the threads about the problems I had with the bass and Adam Levy at Brooklyn Gear, if you do a search.

So far (knock on wood) I have had no problems with the bass, other than the string retainer coming off. So far so good

I would think that any competent guitar repair shop should be able to fix a truss rod if it were damaged.

RodHutch · #8 07-19-2009, 05:22 PM

I have a Proto-J 705 that I bought last year. Unfortunately it must have been recently set up. It shifted in the fall so when I went to a tech to have it set up, he told me the neck was warping. He spent time straightening it, but said it wasn't a permanent fix. After the spring increase in humidity, it shifted again so mine sits in the corner as well.

I was wondering if anyone had successfully bought a new neck for one? it's heavy, but I can't really sell it like this, so I've been thinking about trying to customize it including changing the electronics?

Any neck replacement success stories with a KSD?

gimmeagig · #9 07-19-2009, 09:25 PM

I'd be very interested in that one too.
I'm even thinking about changing the bass to a 34" scale becaus the lack of availability of 35" necks

mryamahatrb6 · #10 10-26-2009, 06:11 PM

I would like a replacement neck as well and would like to know where did you guys find alternatives. I contacted Ken regarding a replacement neck but I am hoping to get a favourable answer from him.

gimmeagig · #11 10-26-2009, 08:02 PM

Forget trying to get any help from Ken.He is not interested in helping anyone with KSD questions.I tried he just blew me off and told me that he had nothing to do with the KSD basses.
Actually I found a luthier who was able to rescue the neck. He made some modifications to the trussrod and it is now functional.I would recommend for you to do the same.(and a few other things too

)
I ended up changing the neck pickup location on the bass some more. I had originally moved it forward to the exact location of the 70s Jazz bass.It made a huge difference but I had forgotten to account for the difference in the Scale 35" vs 34". Since I'm not that great at math I ended up just moving the pickup forward just a bit more.I had my luthier route a 3" channel so I had a way to really find the right spot for the pickup. Using my ears and comparing the sound to my 74 fender jazz I got it to the point where it is almost impossible to distinguish between the two.
By now I have replaced and reworked absolutely everything on the KSD, Pickups, Bridge ,Tuners Preamp , Electronic layout, knobs, I reshaped the neck profile and refinished it Fixed the trussrod and also changed the headstock shape. I used inserts instead of the 4 hole plate for the neck mounting for a more solid connection and I carved out the neckpocket a little to bring the strings closer to the body.So at this point I probably have spent 1600.- on the bass maybe more.Was it worth it? At this point I'd have to say yes, because it is a great playing instrument and I suppose a Sadowsky or a Alleva Coppolo or a Celinder would set me back more.Besides I do enjoy tweaking with instruments and I like the fact that i now have a bass that is truely unique.Needless to say I also removed any trace of the KSD and Ken Smith name.
Would I recommend a KSD bass to anyone.Absolutely not.

mryamahatrb6 · #12 11-08-2009, 01:31 PM

The problems with KSD has now ended. D'Andrea has taken over from Brooklyn Gear as distrubutor and I can tell you for a fact that they resolve problems speedily and anyone now can purchase KSD basses with confidence. I had a warped neck and D'Andrea was kind enough to send one to me in the United Kingdom in less than 72 hours after months of waiting from Adam Levy. Many thanks to Frank at Di Andrea.

gimmeagig · #13 11-08-2009, 02:07 PM

Ok, that is good news.It comes too late for me.But still I'm happy with the way it turned out.
I did a gig with my (former) KSD last night and it is an absolutely amazing sounding bass now.I do have a new Noll preamp for it on order coming from germany.I'll A/B it against the Bart NTBT that's in it right now.I'm curious to hear if that's a good fit.
Anyway here's a link to Ken Smith's forum where he's announcing the change at KSD.
http://www.smithbassforums.com/showthread.php?p=16170

gimmeagig · #14 11-09-2009, 09:05 PM

Oh yeah,here are a few pics

Like I said, it's not a KSD anymore.I'll probably have a sticker made for the headstock "gimmeagig"
Moving that front pickup forward even more than I did originally improved the sound even more but it made it necessary to fabricate a little ramp.I could get a new pickguard but it actually feels good to have this ramp there.