Proud owner of a KSD Proto J 705

[phillybass101]

Check out a bass player named Melvin Davis. He plays on them and his slap tone cuts like a knife. He can be seen on youtube playing with Lee Ritnour. Check out the tune night rhythms. He endorses Ken Smith products. I do wonder however if his is stock.

[mrniceguy715]

Drop that sadowsky in there! That's what I had in mine. Stock pick ups and it was a very sweet tone only miss 2 basses I sold. This one and a lakland with a sadosky pre and nordstand p/us

[Dbassmon]

There was a time when people were complaining about the quality of some the components used and especially about the lack of customer service there were getting when trying to resolve their issues. That was a few years ago, since then I have not read about those issues. Cleared up, I guess.

One thing I do have issue with is the name of the company... Ken Smith Design, leads one to think Ken designed this bass. I think Leo Fender get props on the design... just saying.

Glad to hear the OP is happy, at that price point it would be an attractive option if the quality/service issues are cleared up.

[mrniceguy715]

The preamp isn't very good for the new price point. The finish was good no runs or fisheyes etc. The routes where good and the neck pocket was tight. The tuners feel cheap but held tune well. They are great players. Used a good buy. Don't think I would pay 1000 for one new though.

[waytoodeep03]

Originally Posted by mrniceguy715

Drop that sadowsky in there! That's what I had in mine. Stock pick ups and it was a very sweet tone only miss 2 basses I sold. This one and a lakland with a sadosky pre and nordstand p/us

How did you like that compared to the Audere?

[gimmeagig]

Originally Posted by phillybass101

Check out a bass player named Melvin Davis. He plays on them and his slap tone cuts like a knife. He can be seen on youtube playing with Lee Ritenour. Check out the tune night rhythms. He endorses Ken Smith products. I do wonder however if his is stock.

On Lee Ritenour's Overtime DVD Melvin plays Night Rhythms on his black/maple Jazz Bass. And it sounds great! His KSD on the other hand really doesn't sound very good at all. Melvin is a master so his playing sounds great no matter what he plays, but the KSD doesn't do him any favors. he might have gotten paid to use it on the DVD, who knows.
The Jazz is his best sounding bass for my taste.
I have listened to lots of KSD basses that were souped up.They all more less sound the same and not very good as far as I'm concerned. For me the most crucial change I made to my KSD was moving the neck pickup forward.