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Anything else close to a Ken Smith 6?

#62
CrUiSeR said:
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
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But wouldn't you love to see them un-banned though, if nothing else just to spice up TB a little bit? Never played a Smith, Fbass is my main bass, but I always thought the old Carvin LB series looked similar, neck through, 24 fret, but I don't think they ever offered it with humbuckers. Jim
 
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#64
jim nolte said:
But wouldn't you love to see them un-banned though, if nothing else just to spice up TB a little bit? Never played a Smith, Fbass is my main bass, but I always thought the old Carvin LB series looked similar, neck through, 24 fret, but I don't think they ever offered it with humbuckers. Jim
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At this point you can definitely get a Carvin LB76 with radiused humbuckers or regular humbuckers as on the Icon 6. Come to think of it, an Icon 6 will fit the bill, although I felt like mine was closer to an Old School USA Tobias, personally.
Of course, if you're really wanting a Carvin 6er, I'd get this one. I just got the fretless with hard as nails fretboard so I have a matched set. Nothing like a little healthy self-interest! ;)
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#66
CrUiSeR said:
Yes, hence my second post on page 1 about the Smith/Berlin sig model.
In my humble opinion, Ken and Jeff are two of our
greatest contributors of this generation and of course future generations as well. The greatest are not always "understood"
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Nobody has ever denied Ken Smith's contributions to bass design or his greatness as a double and electric bassist. I have followed Jeff Berlin as a player nearly my entire adult life. I would love to see both unbanned at TB, that said, I think they have bigger fish to fry than posting here. Both were banned because they tended to be rude and needlessly abrasive. Being great at what you do does not entitle you to ignore basic manners and courtesy.
 
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#67
AngelCrusher said:
Man you are right. I am starting to think they may be ahead in some ways. Design being one of them. Their basses simply look amazing.



I hate for this thread to become a Cirrus versus Smith debate but I disagree. I am sitting right next to a Cirrus 5 right now, and I love the thing, but it in no way pummels a Ken Smith in any way. If that was the case I'd buy this one for 10% of the cost of a new KS and move on with my life.
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See this is where taste is subjective. I was not impressed by the Smith that I owned. The Cirrus Custom Shop however.... WOW. I only sold the Cirrus because I didn't appreciate what I had. Hence, the ol' "you never know what you have until it's gone."

I by no means like the whole Smith vs. Cirrus thing either. In fact, my bass of choice every time I think of getting a bass is neither. I'm a Warwick-guy all the way. Although, at the time I chose my avatar, I was a big MusicMan Bongo fan. But in the end, it's Warwick for me.
 
#68
AngelCrusher said:
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.
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If a Smith has caught your eye, I would wait for a good deal on a used one. I don't think any other bass out there will be that close for you to be satisfied in your purchase. The Smith tone is just too unique on its own.
 
#69
Right. I would be interested in knowing the total number of infractions handed out to all past/present members. I bought my first PB1 twenty something years ago because of Mr Berlin and have been following him since the GUITAR PLAYER/pre BASS PLAYER daze!
 
#70
bongostealth said:
If a Smith has caught your eye, I would wait for a good deal on a used one. I don't think any other bass out there will be that close for you to be satisfied in your purchase. The Smith tone is just too unique on its own.
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I found something else I really, really, really like. I will update the thread if I get it.
 
#72
Smith basses are very special. I would imagine that a quality neck thru w similar hardware/norstrand pups and a transparent preamp can capture much of the magic. Ken also sells his pups/electronics/hardware on the site.

If I had Smith money- I'd have two similar basses built by an unknown luthier w the right components
 
#74
AngelCrusher said:
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.
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VSN out of Canada is the only access for Tune basses currently.Tune Guitar Technology - Bass Maniac
There are a few on EBay.
Official TUNE Club | TalkBass.com
Wolf basses are sold on EBay through All In One Music.Wolf 6 Strings Bass Guitar Neck Through Ash Wood Maple NAMM 2015 | eBay
 
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As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
#75
Dr. Cheese said:
To be clear, I don't knock anyone for their tastes in basses or tone. Wanting a Ken Smith is great choice. I only have a problem with belittling others choices.
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I live in Vegas, and we have a lot of great steak houses here. I've had steaks that are dry aged for weeks, steaks that cost upwards of $100, and steaks that were dressed better than I was. Yet, at the end of the day, I prefer to get my steak from Outback. To me, it tastes just as good as the more expensive ones. Other people disagree with me. They tell me there's no way the Outback stack is even close to being as good, the taste isn't as good, the texture isn't as good, and because of the source of the meat the quality isn't as good. I just smile, and let them spend their money how they please, while I enjoy a great steak at an awesome price. I don't feel belittled, I feel relieved that I can have so much steak enjoyment for such a small price.

For you the Cirrus is just as good as a Smith? Then your world is a better place. Enjoy.
 
#76
wintremute said:
I live in Vegas, and we have a lot of great steak houses here. I've had steaks that are dry aged for weeks, steaks that cost upwards of $100, and steaks that were dressed better than I was. Yet, at the end of the day, I prefer to get my steak from Outback. To me, it tastes just as good as the more expensive ones. Other people disagree with me. They tell me there's no way the Outback stack is even close to being as good, the taste isn't as good, the texture isn't as good, and because of the source of the meat the quality isn't as good. I just smile, and let them spend their money how they please, while I enjoy a great steak at an awesome price. I don't feel belittled, I feel relieved that I can have so much steak enjoyment for such a small price.

For you the Cirrus is just as good as a Smith? Then your world is a better place. Enjoy.
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I never said my Cirrus sounds better than a Smith. I said it was a great bass that I bought at a great price that sounds similar to a Smith. I try not to get caught up in what is better because not even two Smiths or two Cirruses are the same.
 
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#77
Dr. Cheese said:
I never said my Cirrus sounds better than a Smith. I said it was a great bass that I bought at a great price that sounds similar to a Smith. I try not to get caught up in what is better because not even two Smiths or two Cirruses are the same.
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Yeah, its not about whats better. At the end of the day a good player will sound good on anything. It should be about what inspires you to go to the next level of the music you are looking to play. For me, it is about getting a 6 string that I can use for years and years and make my own.
 
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#79
Thats not a bad tone at all. The tone I prefer for slap has more warmth and zing in the highs while retaining midrange presence. Not impossible, in fact I have found just that combo. Not trying to tease but I want to finalize the purchase in case somebody tries to swoop me on the bass..lol
 
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#80
AngelCrusher said:
Thats not a bad tone at all. The tone I prefer for slap has more warmth and zing in the highs while retaining midrange presence. Not impossible, in fact I have found just that combo. Not trying to tease but I want to finalize the purchase in case somebody tries to swoop me on the bass..lol
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I'm excited to hear about your purchase!
 
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