Are Ken Smith basses still popular?

[jim777]

Excellent, excellent basses. I would love to get another ebony boarded 6 I don't need one, but would love to have one! they ooze quality like very few instruments I've ever had.

 

[Chef]

KS basses aren't made in volume, so, there's not a lot of them out there.
So; popular won't be like Fender or whatever.
One of my good bass pals has one, and it's quite good.
They are their own thing, and if that's a thing you like, then, yes. Still a thing.

 

[InnerBass]

They're, there, their.

Wear?

: )

 

[Afc70]

A nice high end Ken Smith is a thing to behold, they are stunning- tone wise, craftsmanship, Imo it really doesn't get much better than a Smith, they will always have a place in the bass world.

 

[otto B]

One last question; prior Fodera company was built, did the Fodera worked in Ken Smith company building basses?

 

[Korladis]

I had a Smith Bass and it was very well made and sounded good. I just never really bonded with it. Perhaps some of the reason Smith Basses aren't more popular is that A) they are pretty expensive and B) Ken Smith suffers from "Jeff Berlin Syndrome."

Oh? Jeff Berlin syndrome?

 

[pnchad]

I have one of the Japanese Burners from the early 90s. Used to be my main bass for about 5 yrs playing jazz. I put it away and have Foderas & Sads and such since. Recently I broke it out as a synth controller again and it plays wonderfully. There is a certain voicing that seems common to KSs. So, for an all purpose bass I'd go elsewhere.

 

[pudge]

Quality never goes out of style

 

[woodyng2]

I had this gorgeously superclean '90's Burner Elite for a short period. Absolutely loved the neck shape,feel,and speed on this,but didn't like the rather bland tones,(passive or active) that i was getting out of it.

 

[Doctor J]

They're, there, their.

The missing word "more" really makes a difference in that one, eh?

 

[nostatic]

My Smith fretless 5 was killing it on last night's gig, and Wed was a 3-bass hit (with the fretted in tow)

 

[Just Thumpin']

One last question; prior Fodera company was built, did the Fodera worked in Ken Smith company building basses?

Yes, Vinny and Joey built the first 100+ Ken Smith basses. Vinny was Ken's initial luthier.

 

[Gougedeye]

Oh? Jeff Berlin syndrome?

Well, if you know the history of Jeff Berlin on this board, then you know he was an opinionated jackass who treated people disrespectfully at every turn. Ken Smith has some very similar characteristics.

 

[pnchad]

My Smith fretless 5 was killing it on last night's gig, and Wed was a 3-bass hit (with the fretted in tow)

Rockin the Glock I see - me too lately - creamy

 

[Marial]

Smiths are like a lot of other top boutique basses: you can get different, but you cannot get better. I feel that same way about Zon, Pedulla, Fodera, Rob Allen, etc.

 

[Dominick C.]

My Smith was built by Vinny.

Per Ken, Vinny built stuff though 84, even as he was starting up Fodera.

 

[P. Aaron]

My Smith was built by Vinny.

View attachment 819817 View attachment 819818 View attachment 819820


Per Ken, Vinny built stuff though 84, even as he was starting up Fodera.

Wow. Beautiful.

 

[Korladis]

Well, if you know the history of Jeff Berlin on this board, then you know he was an opinionated jackass who treated people disrespectfully at every turn. Ken Smith has some very similar characteristics.

Ah, okay. Makes sense to me now.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

My Smith was built by Vinny.

View attachment 819817 View attachment 819818 View attachment 819820


Per Ken, Vinny built stuff though 84, even as he was starting up Fodera.

Man, that's holding history in your hands!

 

[Dominick C.]

Man, that's holding history in your hands!

According to Ken my bass was first sold to Freddy Washington, but Freddy wanted a 5 er and this ended up going to Willie Weeks.