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05-27-2010, 04:24 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: San Diego, CA | | | What happened to Ken Smith basses?
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not all that long ago (~10 years?), Ken Smith basses were *it* - - these days, I haven't seen them in stores, on stage or hardly any mention on TB...
I know they had a very distinct sound... it is that this has just gone out of fashion?  |
05-27-2010, 04:26 PM
|  | The Funkfather
Endorsing Artist: Kohlman Bassworks | | Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hampton Roads, Virginia | | | Check the Gospel world! You'll find a ton of them! |
05-27-2010, 04:26 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: College Station, TX | | | KEN SMITH BASSES USED TO BE IN STORES?
woah.
that's awesome. haha |
05-27-2010, 04:29 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NJ via NYC | | | You will never see Smiths in stores (if you by stores you mean GC and Sam Ash). As for out of fashion? Great tone never goes out of fashion. Check out gospel and Contemporary Jazz... you will see them regularly. Yes, Smiths are still around and kickin' big booty... I play one!
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Ken Smith Basses
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Last edited by T-MOST : 05-27-2010 at 04:33 PM.
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05-27-2010, 04:34 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio | | | They're a little too expensive to be in too many stores but believe me, they get played, ESPECIALLY in urban gospel.
__________________ Me Soul Atoma Quote:
Originally Posted by john turner  | Quote:
Originally Posted by Roy Vogt So much gets said online that would never be said face to face. | |
05-27-2010, 04:38 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: San Diego, CA | | | Okay, when I said "Stores" I mean *not* places like GC - but they were at LA Bass Exchange, Bass Alone, etc...
And what about their "budget" line - the "Burner" basses - anyone play one of those?
AND... Why the gospel world? I have noticed that too - but I don't quite get it... Why would that one distinct type of music call for a certain brand of bass? |
05-27-2010, 04:40 PM
| | Banned | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New York City | | Quote:
Originally Posted by brentonkim KEN SMITH BASSES USED TO BE IN STORES?
woah.
that's awesome. haha | Quote:
Originally Posted by T-MOST You will never see Smiths in stores (if you by stores you mean GC and Sam Ash). | Did Smith change their distribution model sometime in the last decade or so? Because you most certainly used to see Smith basses in stores like Sam Ash; in fact, the Sam Ash on 48th Street in Manhattan used to have 3 or 4 on the floor at all times. And the very first place I ever saw a Smith bass was in the display window of Manny's (also on 48th Street). |
05-27-2010, 04:41 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NJ via NYC | | | [quote=BigOldHarry;9186580]Okay, when I said "Stores" I mean *not* places like GC - but they were at LA Bass Exchange, Bass Alone, etc...
They still are... if /when they can get them. Most Smiths are sold str8 out Brooklyn!
As for the Burners? Low End has 2 of them listed right now.
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T-MOST :bassist: Getdafunkouttamaface!
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Ken Smith Basses
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New Jersey Bassists #37
Christian P&W Bassists # 126 |
05-27-2010, 04:41 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio | | Quote:
Originally Posted by BigOldHarry Okay, when I said "Stores" I mean *not* places like GC - but they were at LA Bass Exchange, Bass Alone, etc...
And what about their "budget" line - the "Burner" basses - anyone play one of those?
AND... Why the gospel world? I have noticed that too - but I don't quite get it... Why would that one distinct type of music call for a certain brand of bass? | Smiths are known for having a very distinct tone, modern and hi-fi, which is a sought after tone for bass in gospel. The B string must be HUGE and CLEAR, which is what the Smith basses give you. They're also very beautiful looking basses and gospel is all about looking good, especially on Sunday!
__________________ Me Soul Atoma Quote:
Originally Posted by john turner | Quote:
Originally Posted by Roy Vogt So much gets said online that would never be said face to face. |
Last edited by capnsandwich : 05-27-2010 at 04:48 PM.
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05-27-2010, 04:42 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Anasleim, CA | | | |
05-27-2010, 04:43 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: San Diego, CA | | | Okay, they are still made, still sold... but my point is that it seems to me that there was a time when *everyone* wanted one... I know I sure did...
Of course, there a many more choices now than there was even 10 years ago... |
05-27-2010, 04:45 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: somewhere in middle America | | Quote:
Originally Posted by BigOldHarry Okay, they are still made, still sold... but my point is that it seems to me that there was a time when *everyone* wanted one... I know I sure did...
Of course, there a many more choices now than there was even 10 years ago... | Cuz hi-fi and fancy is basically out of style. Tradition is in. |
05-27-2010, 04:45 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NJ via NYC | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoover Did Smith change their distribution model sometime in the last decade or so? Because you most certainly used to see Smith basses in stores like Sam Ash; in fact, the Sam Ash on 48th Street in Manhattan used to have 3 or 4 on the floor at all times. And the very first place I ever saw a Smith bass was in the display window of Manny's (also on 48th Street). | I grew up in NYC and practically lived on "music row". I would see a Smith "every now and then" at Sam Ash but I wouldn't say regularly. However, 25-30 years ago Sam Ash was a different place too. It was "THE" place to go for pros and amatures alike. so, maybe you are right.
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T-MOST :bassist: Getdafunkouttamaface!
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Ken Smith Basses
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New Jersey Bassists #37
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Last edited by T-MOST : 05-27-2010 at 05:36 PM.
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05-27-2010, 04:47 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: phoenix az | | | I found a well loved CR5 in a pawn shop that played like butter. Bought it for 750 bucks. After a set up that thing roars and is one of my best playing basses. It has an old three knob preamp and it has an aggressive yet articulate voice that is almost "rock hi-fi". |
05-27-2010, 04:49 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NJ via NYC | | Quote:
Originally Posted by BigOldHarry Okay, they are still made, still sold... but my point is that it seems to me that there was a time when *everyone* wanted one... I know I sure did...
Of course, there a many more choices now than there was even 10 years ago... | Smiths, MTD, Sadowsky, Fender, Fodera, Roscoe, Jerzy Drozd, Warwick etc... were all "the next hot bass to have" at some point. But, When the dust settles those who really appreciate a bass (whatever brand) for bass' sake stick with them. Everyone else moves on to "the next Hot bass to have". 
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T-MOST :bassist: Getdafunkouttamaface!
_____________________________________________
Ken Smith Basses
Xotic Jazz Basses
New Jersey Bassists #37
Christian P&W Bassists # 126
Last edited by T-MOST : 05-27-2010 at 05:26 PM.
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05-27-2010, 04:52 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Phoenix, Arizona 85029 | | People realized that a 34" (or less) scale was less than satisfactory and bumped it up to Spector and Ritter, who regularly use 35" scales for their 5+ string basses. 
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Originally Posted by McThumpenstein I don't think the wife would buy the "I need to take off this knob and put a whole new bass under it" story. |
Last edited by FunkMetalBass : 05-27-2010 at 04:55 PM.
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05-27-2010, 04:56 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NC | | Quote:
Originally Posted by brentonkim KEN SMITH BASSES USED TO BE IN STORES?
woah.
that's awesome. haha | Very constructive feedback; you certainly answered my question. I'm sure the OP is appreciative.
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05-27-2010, 05:01 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Metro Atlanta | | | Atlanta Bass Gallery almost always has a Smith or two in stock. My go to bass is a Smith BT5G. It is by far the best playing and best sounding bass I have ever owned; and with over 30 years of playing and trading I've owned quite a few. I regularly play gospel and jazz; but I also play rock, country or whatever is called for. In fact I'm downsizing my collection of basses to a couple of Smiths. On the rare times I need a "vintage or traditional" tone, an SX jazz works just fine. |
05-28-2010, 04:14 AM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by capnsandwich .... They're also very beautiful looking basses and gospel is all about looking good, especially on Sunday! | So I guess my Vampyre, Blackbird or crusty ole Pre bass wouldn't cut it on the Gospel circuit. Damn, guess I am going the other way  |
05-28-2010, 04:49 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Helsinki, Finland | | | It's also good to remember that these days there are a lot more options when it comes to really high end boutique basses. These days there are so many builders to choose from while the market is still somewhat small..
That said, Ken Smiths are the only boutique bass that I've tried that I'd really wan't to own these days. The very distinct tone and over the top, ridiculous coffee table looks just do it for me.
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