Why do people not like Ken Smith basses.

[maturanesa]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Yeah, really painful to look at these too:

Attachment 298871

Attachment 298870

I said "SOME OF THEM" look awful for me.... like this:



Not "painfull" but i think it doesnt look good (plus the overly wide neckthough and the "sandwitch body")

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Originally Posted by maturanesa

I said "SOME OF THEM" look awful for me.... like this:

Not "painfull" but i think it doesnt look good (plus the overly wide neckthough and the "sandwitch body")

Isn't that a burner?

[rodneyat]

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

Isn't that a burner?

That's what it looks like to me. Definitely not a "real" Smith.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

Isn't that a burner?

Originally Posted by rodneyat

That's what it looks like to me. Definitely not a "real" Smith.

Yes, it is a Burner Model.

[groooooove]

i like them. i think they're worth the price

my one gripe is the bridge pickups are often too far back to sound full on their own. but they're cool basses, and ken smith is a great guy.

[maturanesa]

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

Isn't that a burner?

A Burner is not a Ken Smith?

[rodneyat]

Originally Posted by maturanesa

A Burner is not a Ken Smith?

Not really. D'Andrea has licensed his name and designed some basses that are similar in style to the USA Made Ken Smith basses. But, they are totally produced overseas. Korea I think but I could be wrong on that one. They are decent basses for the money. But, definitely do not hold a candle to the USA Ken Smith basses. Here is the website for the Burner series www.ksdbasses.com There was also a Burner series that Smith had produced overseas in the 90's I think they were made in Japan. But, I am not 100% up on my history on those. From those that I have seen/played. They were closer overall to the USA made Smiths.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by maturanesa

A Burner is not a Ken Smith?

Yes, it is a Ken Smith, but more of an entry level model. (BTW - these basses play and sound great and for the price point, hard to beat). Burner Models were assembled in Japan. Ken selected all the woods and electronics and final inspection was performed by Ken before it was delivered to the consumer. I think others sometime confuse this model with the Smith USA models, which they are not. The Burner models were discontinued around 1999, however, you can occasionally find them on the market for a very good price.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by maturanesa

A Burner is not a Ken Smith?

Originally Posted by rodneyat

Not really. D'Andrea has licensed his name and designed some basses that are similar in style to the USA Made Ken Smith basses. But, they are totally produced overseas. Korea I think but I could be wrong on that one. They are decent basses for the money. But, definitely do not hold a candle to the USA Ken Smith basses. Here is the website for the Burner series www.ksdbasses.com

Not exactly: D'Andrea produces the newer KSD (Ken Smith Design) basses, however, are not Ken Smith Basses and should not be confused as such. The Ken Smith Burner models were discontinued around 1999.

D'Andrea is now the only source for the KSD Proto J and KSD Burner Basses. The D'Andrea KSD's are now made in China. Sleek Elite is the Licensee for the KSD Brooklyn models as well as the Hadrien Feraud Burner models made in Japan. The Japan products by Sleek Elite are much more exclusive and mainly handmade. Ken Smith supplies them with various components for these basses. Ken is only involved with the design and consultation aspect of both companies using the KSD brand name. These are two different product lines, two different companies, two different manufacturing sites and two different Price ranges.

[zortation]

I wonder why his BSR-J basses aren't more popular...I played one years ago, but I never see them anymore. I recall it having a nice fat tone.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by zortation

I wonder why his BSR-J basses aren't more popular...I played one years ago, but I never see them anymore. I recall it having a nice fat tone.

Those models are special order only now. Occasionally one will pop up, but I'd imagine those that have them aren't wanting to let them go.

[bass12]

Originally Posted by nukes_da_bass

This tells me unequivocally you don't have kids. If I go to my grave and can keep my kids fed and housed and kept healthy I can live with being an Ahole to have done that. ANYTHING justifies taking care of Gods gifts to us which is life, children.
In fact, if my kids were starving, I'd steal your bass to feed them after I had sold all of mine.

That's how I roll, friend.

So then it shouldn't really matter if these kids - "god's gift to us" as you put it - are your kids or someone else's should it? I expect to see all of your basses up for sale on the TB classifieds so you can help feed some of the starving children of the world. You are a truly righteous human being.

[FunkyMcNasty]

I did not like the look of smiths either...until I played one. They looked a little to "rich" or something. I think it was the dark woods with the gold hardware that turned me off. But now, after owning and playing them, I love smiths. Fastest necks in the game IMO.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Get back on topic, people.

[roadkill2309]

For me, my first issue is the looks. The bush-league website and his personal reputation for being heinous to talk to are definite issues for me, but more in terms of customer-care. Both show a lack of effort on that side.

I guess I see it the same way as I see the crap in the posts above about being an ass to feed your kids. In any market where human interface is a large factor, *nobody's* work is good enough to justify not knowing how to be a decent guy.

[rodneyat]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Those models are special order only now. Occasionally one will pop up, but I'd imagine those that have them aren't wanting to let them go.

I've owned 2 of them. One of them I should have NEVER sold but I did. Great basses but a unique one for sure. It does not sound like what you expect a Jazz bass to sound like. But, it does sound like a good mix of a jazz bass and a Smith. Very cool and very versatile. When they do pop up, you can usually pick them up for $2K or under. So, a bargain in the big scheme of things.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by rodneyat

I've owned 2 of them. One of them I should have NEVER sold but I did. Great basses but a unique one for sure. It does not sound like what you expect a Jazz bass to sound like. But, it does sound like a good mix of a jazz bass and a Smith. Very cool and very versatile. When they do pop up, you can usually pick them up for $2K or under. So, a bargain in the big scheme of things.

Agreed. VERY good bargain for those lucky enough to get one.

[LanEvo]

I've played a bunch of USA-made, neck-through Smiths. Mostly 5- and 6-strings. Here's my take:

• I like the looks, especially the older models with shorter horns.
• The tone is cool for slapping, but not great for fingerstyle IMNSHO.
• The necks are too wide and too flat for my taste.
• There are other boutique basses I dig much more (e.g., Leduc, Pedulla) for similar money.

I've dealt with Ken on the phone twice. He was kind of a dick to me both times. The exact opposite of Mike Pedulla, Sheldon Dingwall, and Ned Steinberger (all of whom were incredibly pleasurable to deal with).

So, basically, I have no interest in buying one.

[ZuluFunk]

Best basses I've ever played in over 30 years in the game. Name the bass and I've probably played one.

As far as his personality, it doesn't factor in my decision of which bass I play or my feelings on its quality. That being said, he has been one of the cooler pros I've ever dealt with and very gregarious, open, humorous, and helpful.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by ZuluFunk

Best basses I've ever played in over 30 years in the game. Name the bass and I've probably played one.

As far as his personality, it doesn't factor in my decision of which bass I play or my feelings on its quality. That being said, he has been one of the cooler pros I've ever dealt with and very gregarious, open, humorous, and helpful.

Well said and I would agree wholeheartedly.