Anything else close to a Ken Smith 6?

[CrUiSeR]

My #1 is a Kubicki ExFactor, it is the second longest runnin' bass in the stable. The only two contendors at the time was a Smith and a MVP

 

[PJ Muzikmansky]

Uhm , i am a big Peavey fan as well as Ken Smith, but I get a get a good laugh when the cirrus gets compared to a Ken Smith. IMO when this happens cirrus owners are just trying to flatter their self

Ken Smith? ...A fan of Peavey ?... Wow, who'd've thought!

 

[CrUiSeR]

HA

 

[ArtechnikA]

Just kinda BTW --
Ken Smith's shop is about 10 mi from my house,
AFAIK - I've never seen one live & in-person...

 

[slamsinger]

I agree with the USA cirrus basses having the "smith tone".... The necks are def different IMO... I prefer the smith necks.... The soapbar pickup placement on the smith and citrus contribute to that tone for sure ... Roscoe basses can be ordered with that pickup placement also... All 3 are fantastic basses IMO.... If ha want a smith tone and feel then that's your answer right there ... Get a smith ...

 

[Bone]

I think these are pretty close. Invalid Link Removed

 

[cannedveggiessuck]

Here is a Pedulla MVP Six for your viewing.

For Sale/Trade - Pedulla MVP 6 3000.00 | TalkBass.com

 

[AngelCrusher]

Wow, what a rabbit hole I went down when I found these Tune basses. Really into some of these japanese basses, for example the Bacchus and Atelier are just awesome sounding basses. So are the Japenese Tunes, not sure if the Koreans can match up, but these are all really impressive basses. Seems like it will be tough to track down a used one though.

 

[LeonD]

While everything contributes to the tone of a bass, IMHO, the main factor with Smith basses is their pickup locations and type. That's why the sound is similar to the Sadowsky Modern.

Unfortunately, the Sadowsky Modern is either a 4 or 5 string. For a 6, I would look for a custom builder that would use humbucking pickups in the Smith location.

 

[bucephylus]

At this level of bass, things can get pretty personal. Ken makes outstanding instruments. My ONLY gripe about the new ones is that they tend to weigh more than I am comfortable gigging. The ergonomics are better; but, the weight went up compared to the original body style. IMO/E.

My favorite six I have ever played is the Tobias Classic 6. OTOH, some players will not go for the string spacing.

Zon might be an interesting option.

MTD is also an option; though don't know where you stand with scale length.

Fodera could also be possible; but maybe too pricey.

GL

 

[kuuuks]

Yes that is a awesome bass and i'd be all over it if they had a 6.



Ok, now that is rather interesting. Anywhere I can hear that combo?



Very cool, I will check them out - thanks.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Hmm, I said I was a fan of both, but really, a smith has nothing on cirrus? haha.
My personal fav peavey bass is the TLsix, is it better than a cirrus? To me it is. Is it better than a Smith? Hell no.
I am still waiting on the Ken Smith Jeff Berlin signature model
AngelCrusher, have you played a Pedulla MVP? It's available with Js and are the best feeling 5 and 6 string necks to me

Haha, besides snark, what is your evidence of Ken Smith superiority? Neck through Smiths are constructed more intricately than Cirruses were, the bolt-ons, which I owned, are comparable to Prestige Ibanezes in terms of construction.

As for tone, that is a matter of preference only. I tend to like the Ken Smith sort of sound whether it comes from a Smith, Cirrus, or Sadowsky.

I agree, there are lots Cirrus owners who would prefer a Smith. Some prefer a pure Smith tone, but knowing people as I do, a whole lot of love the cool factor owning a Smith as much as any perceived improvement in quality.

 

[kerrycares]

Tobias, Yamaha, Prat, Lowend, MTD ,Peavey, Ibanez, Fbass …… play em all -then decide!
Your hands and ears ( and wallet) are the truest form of judgement.

 

[CrUiSeR]

Ibanez, uh really. You have your opinion and I have mine. i am not putting down the cirrus.
But IMO the Smith is superior in EVERY way
even if you go back to the old days when he
was using badasses!
I can see how he and Jeff got banned here all things considered

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Ibanez, uh really. You have your opinion and I have mine. i am not putting down the cirrus.
But IMO the Smith is superior in EVERY way
even if you go back to the old days when he
was using badasses!
I can see how he and Jeff got banned here all things considered

Are you saying that Japanese craftsmen can't make a top flight bass? If that is the the case, you either uninformed or you judge a product solely by its brand. $3,000-$7,00 dollar Japanese made Ibanezes are second to no brand in build quality.

 

[CrUiSeR]

Dude, your barking up the wrong tree. I've owned a Japanese made US assembled saber six string, 3 Yamaha PB1s, vintage 1970s Yamaha acoustic, Yamaha TRB5P, at least two matsumoku guitars, GSXR1100, Toyota GTS, Datsun 240z; that's just off of the top of my head. I have respect for the Japanese for many reasons and personal life experiences.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Dude, your barking up the wrong tree. I've owned a Japanese made US assembled saber six string, 3 Yamaha PB1s, vintage 1970s Yamaha acoustic, Yamaha TRB5P, at least two matsumoku guitars, GSXR1100, Toyota GTS, Datsun 240z; that's just off of the top of my head. I have respect for the Japanese for many reasons and personal life experiences.

You have an odd way of expressing respect. Your posts come off like you looking down your nose at brands the way you write things. If I am getting the wrong message, excuse me.

 

[Toptube]

I love the Ken Smith 6 strings. Mainly the tone and feel. The look is fine, but I prefer the modded Jazz bass looks if I had to be picky.

Anyway, the only bass I know that is kind of close to a Ken Smith is a Peavey Cirrus. Any other basses I should look into before plunking down 4-5k?

Obscure and mainstream suggestions equally welcome.

having basses which I like the look of is nice. but in the end, I play the basses which sound good and play well. If a smith is what your hands and ears like, then get a Ken Smith.

for that kind of money, surely you can pick some aesthetic options which will suit you.

 

[radmin]

Warrior may get mostly there. Adam Nitti sounded pretty smith like in a few videos. Bongo 6 hh might also be worth a look.

 

[AngelCrusher]

Well i have to be honest, these bacchus basses came out of left field but they are pretty amazing to me. Jazz style basses with humbucking pickups and a high end bart pre amp. Everything about them is a master buld and the 6ers weigh under 10 pounds.

Extremely intrigued, and this really doesnt happen that often.

My main issue with a smith is the price. Its 4-5k. 3k used. And i love the heck out of it, but its tough for me to buy that any instrument is worth that. Especially when you look at some of these high end japanese basses that are just impeccably built.