That's a great story. I wonder how Willie Weeks played it before he went back to his P-bass?
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That's a great story. I wonder how Willie Weeks played it before he went back to his P-bass?
Dominick C.
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Fwiw one reason I got a Smith is because it sounds (to me, in my hands) like a p-bass with a bad attitude (full neck pickup). It'll get other cool tones but that's the bread and butter for me.
Disrespectful opinionated jackasses. . sounds like many forumites on every forum on the net.
The difference between the lemmings (aka marching morons), Jeff Berlin, and Ken Smith, is that the latter two have made significant musical contributions to the world, while the former just "march(ed) off cliffs."
It is true that Berlin and Smith have entertaining history of being "salty with the salty." Berlin and Smith were not afraid to fire up their flamethrowers after some idiot toasted their asses first. They respond to baited antagonists in mirrored, heightened antagonism. Many view this as artist temperament, nothing more.
None of this is the point. The antagonistic posters are forgotten. They contribute(d) nothing. However, if you play bass like Jeff Berlin, you will be heard and known. His contribution is significant.
If you make basses like Ken Smith, there will be a market for your basses. They are distinctly voiced, heard and known. Also, Ken Smith's achievement includes being an awesome studio and performing bassist. NYC bassists will be happy to tell you all about him. Thankfully, his brand serves an appreciative market that is highly differentiated from that served by the lemming brands.
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Pm me and I will give you an address where all unpopular Smiths should be sent. I mean it. Don't waste another day with that unpopular terrible Smith.
I used to want one based on how they look, but the last two I heard being performed with sounded like tubas. It really sounded like each of the bassists could have been replaced by a tuba player playing a tuba and a blind man would have to squint his ears to hear the difference. No thanks.
Smith basses have a niche following. The build quality is tops, unique sound. Plenty of Gospel players use them and love them as well as some R & B and fusion players. They have a very distinct high end characteristic that comes from Smith's handmade pickups and preamps and Smith has a very loyal following.
They are popular enough to keep Ken in business for decades but he is a divisive and pompous fellow that is many times condescending and dismissive... he is successful in spite of his shortcomings as those qualities do not help you in business or in life. How many buyers has he chased away? Many!
This clip captures the sonic quality of these basses, Killer player! Contemporary Gospel Act the Pace Sisters.
They are popular enough to keep Ken in business for decades but he is a divisive and pompous fellow that is many times condescending and dismissive... he is successful in spite of his shortcomings as those qualities do not help you in business or in life. How many buyers has he chased away? Many!
This clip captures the sonic quality of these basses, Killer player! Contemporary Gospel Act the Pace Sisters.
i agree with you. And truth be told, I like Smith basses and I think Jeff Berlin is a fabulous player. It is unfortunate that they let their arrogance ruin their musical contributions for many people. Jeff Berlin, at times, has been mean spirited and condescending simply because some one disagreed with him. I have heard he is trying to make amends for his past bad behaviors. I hope he finds some measure of forgiveness. Ken Smith is, no doubt, highly regarded as a bass player and maker in New York and far beyond. His only problem is he has a pretty salty personality and doesn't take any crap from anyone, nor does he have much appreciation for those having a different opinion that his. Live and let live. I would certainly snap up another Smith Bass, if the opportunity presented itself.
My instructor had one when I first started playing, so regardless of popularity they seem like a standard sound to me.
A Ken Smith is one of several dozen excellent small maker basses out there. It isn't that important how popular they are. All that's really important is if you hear or play one that speaks to you.
Paul McCartney had that sound nailed pre KS.
If I didn't play a Fender because of the bad sound I've heard some players make with them, I'd never play one. But that goes for every amp or bass. Two years ago at Hot August Blues act right before Lyle Lovett, Pbass through SVT. Sounded like some bad line6 sample. You'd think it wasn't possible. Look it's the player first and some people can't get good tone from their fingers so no amount of help will help.
Then it's string selection, gain staging, eq choices and selecting the amplification and cabs that enhance your sound. If it was easy.......Also talked to Ken once. Nice guy. I've never experienced or read this other take on his social skills.
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I'd be happy to check them once before final arrival, so, you know, no bad apples get through and such. No need to thank me
