Ken Smith pickups - cool!!

kramer.j · #1 01-17-2009, 03:30 AM

Hi,

more than 20 years ago I built a 6-string bass after seeing a photo of John Patitucci in the Guitar Player magazine. It has been my main bass until 2 years ago, when I got hold of a fine Tobias 6-string. So, the old 6-string was collecting dust. Now, the Tobias is fantastic, but everytime I heard stuff like Kirk Franklin's Rebirth, I wanted to have that sound, too. So, 2 weeks ago, I took the plunge and ordered a set of pickups from Ken Smith; I had figured out that the string spacing matched my old bass exactly.
A couple of days ago they arrived, and it took little time to build them into my bass. Man, do these pickups sound cool! A wonderful combination between deep, fat, and bright.
The bottom line: these pickups really can give your bass a new identity. Mind you, it's probably the combination of the character of the pickups AND the placement that gives it the unique character. Both pickups are closer to the bridge than the pickups on a Jazz Bass.
For an impression, hear this mp3: http://jaapenjanny.filternet.nl/Ken_...ckups_mono.mp3

Enjoy!
Regards,
Jaap

Wilbyman · #2 01-17-2009, 07:13 AM

Hey Jaap, sounds great to me! Those pickups have a really unique top end.

bigbassman64 · #3 01-17-2009, 08:00 AM

Just a heads up Kent Armstrong builds Smiths pickups.
and has for more than 20 years.

3506string · #4 01-17-2009, 09:20 AM

How much were they I've been thinking about getting a set.

2x4strgkramers · #5 01-17-2009, 09:24 AM

Sounds like a smith. Thats a nice tone to.

Fretlessboy · #6 01-17-2009, 09:28 AM

the Smith tone is hard to beat

2x4strgkramers · #7 01-17-2009, 09:47 AM

Yes it is. I have toyed with putting smith soap bars in my vintage krame humbucker pioner bass but I am hesitant to route the body. however looking at it's ebay value well maybe it would not be a big deal as bodys do pop up occasionaly. Grab a spare body and router out a new slot.

kramer.j · #8 01-17-2009, 10:17 AM

Hi,

thanks all for the reactions

a set of 6-string pickups is appr. 330 dollar. You have to add shipping and taxes.
See http://www.kensmithbasses.com/access...ts/pickups.htm for technical details. Ken Smith himself was also helpful via email.
Generally, a bass body isn't very fragile. Unless the wood is very soft, enlarging the pickups cavities wouldn't be dangerous, I think. On the other hand, my bass looked a bit messy after all my pickup experiments (previous pickups were handmade), so I put a pickguard on it. Not very pretty, but better then without.

Regards,
Jaap

3506string · #9 01-17-2009, 01:15 PM

Man you just pushed me over the edge. I just sent in a inquiry for a 6 string wide model set. 330 isn't bad considering I can probably get 100+ for my Barts.

T-MOST · #10 01-17-2009, 01:25 PM

I have a Ken smith and that bass does remind me of a Ken.

kramer.j · #11 01-17-2009, 01:29 PM

Hi 3506string,
hope you'll enjoy them as much as I do

bottomzone · #12 01-17-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-MOST

I have a Ken smith and that bass does remind me of a Ken.

I CONCUR!!!

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

2x4strgkramers · #13 01-17-2009, 05:45 PM

question on the string used in the sound sample. Are those rounds/half rounds/flats ? ???

Yes I have always loved the tones of the smith basses. Just couldn;t validate the cost and the idiosyncracys of them.

pedulla-2007 · #14 01-17-2009, 07:48 PM

Nice work kramer.j, and great chordal work. THANKS FOR SHARING, SOUNDS PRIMO!!

dustdbass6 · #15 01-17-2009, 08:01 PM

Listening to that sample just makes me want to tell the boss I'm sick to go home and play my Ken Smith. Great stuff.

kramer.j · #16 01-18-2009, 06:42 AM

Thanks for the comments, guys

This morning I used it in our church services. The other musicians liked it, too!
The strings are very old roundwound Elixirs, that's why especially the slap sound doesn't sound particularly fresh... time for a new set

Metropolis_488 · #17 01-18-2009, 09:02 PM

I had thought about doing this several times. They sound great! However, I need to remind myself that I am a rock player - I had a 4MW (forgot the whole alpha-numeric designation, but it was a bolt on Smith 4 banger) and it did NOT sound good in a rock mix...solo, though, forget about it!

2x4strgkramers · #18 01-18-2009, 09:06 PM

I wonder how critical pickup distance to the bridge is ? Could you get a saddle to pikcup measurement ?

razboinikoff · #19 01-19-2009, 05:45 AM

Congratulations, Jaap - nice tone!

I want to add two more questions:
Is the bass active and if yes what is the circuit inside?
What is the signal path for the recording - any external preamps, etc?

slybass3000 · #20 01-19-2009, 06:08 AM

I'm a big fan too for his soap bar PU, I've been using them for 20 years already. I have 3 custom 5 strings with those and it sound amazing for TV and recording. Plus the adjustable poles for each just make the balance from string to string perfect. I don't know why this is not standard as a concept..........Brilliant !

This thread reminds me that may be I should put those on the Roscoe I just got :-),

Sly