Ken Smith Preamp

EZ9R · #1 12-06-2010, 08:47 PM

Has anyone that owns a Ken Smith ever replace the original preamp? I've been playing mine lately passive through an Aguilar Tone Hammer and really love the sounds. Just wondering what an Aguilar onboard or a Bartolini would sound like install in a Smith. I have a walnut BSR5 with coil tap switches.

SGD Lutherie · #2 12-07-2010, 12:17 PM

I replaced a Smith/Haz labs preamp with an Aguilar OBP-3 for a customer on a Smith six string once. I thought it sounded good and he was very happy with it. It was the customer's idea; something to do with the frequency centers of the controls.

Chasarms · #3 12-07-2010, 01:20 PM

I would certainly settle on the issue of whether the bass was a "keeper" or not. The pre in a Smith is definitely part of the signature tone. You don't have to like it, but it surely is reasonable to think that anyone shopping for a Ken Smith does. If you want/have to put it on the block, you'll almost certainly take a hit for the choice.

I think you have a great thing going now. Use the stomp box pre and passive mode. You get what you want and the bass remains unmolested.

SGD Lutherie · #4 12-07-2010, 01:33 PM

It's a simple thing to carefully remove the stock electronics and put them in a box for safe keeping. Then if you want to restore the bass, you swap the original parts back in.

The bass I worked on still sounded like a Smith after the preamp swap. Those pickups are a big part of the tone, as is the bass itself.

Think of it this way, a Smith (or other bass) still sounds like that bass when you plug it into different amps. Preamps are no different. They shape the tone, but don't create it.

billbern · #5 12-08-2010, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

It's a simple thing to carefully remove the stock electronics and put them in a box for safe keeping. Then if you want to restore the bass, you swap the original parts back in.

The bass I worked on still sounded like a Smith after the preamp swap. Those pickups are a big part of the tone, as is the bass itself.

Think of it this way, a Smith (or other bass) still sounds like that bass when you plug it into different amps. Preamps are no different. They shape the tone, but don't create it.

+1 to this. I had a '85 set neck passive BT4, no preamp at all. It sounds very close to my BSR5. Pickups and placement have alot to do with the "Smith" sound.