Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
let me share you guys 2 videos where you can appreciate this very UNPOPULAR bass tone LOL . unpopular bass ... who cares if the bass is popular or not?
the only problem with Smiths is that you must be a good bass player because you are gonna be heard perfect through the mix.
btw I hate to play popular basses...
the only problem with Smiths is that you must be a good bass player because you are gonna be heard perfect through the mix.
btw I hate to play popular basses...
We are bassists. Since when do we do what's popular? Wait! There was the time everyone used GK head with Hartke 4x10 & 1x15. Oh the Markbass infection. Then there are people who despite what the facts are think the SVT is the only bass amp in the world. Then there's "the Pbass can do anything" crowd... Everyone had to have a Tobias before that a Steinberger......
I'm wrong. We're humans who get faddish too.
When we mature a little we figure out what works for us and stick with it. I love seeing a serious act and someone speaking on their instrument. When I can't really hear the type of bass it is because the bassist is putting personal tone out. I know she/he has found the tool that gets out of the way.....for them.
Check out Alexandro Sanz. "Sirope" live in Spain has been playing on HBO. His bassist is tearing it up on a Musicman and a Yamaha EUB. She is bad&$$!
I'm wrong. We're humans who get faddish too.
When we mature a little we figure out what works for us and stick with it. I love seeing a serious act and someone speaking on their instrument. When I can't really hear the type of bass it is because the bassist is putting personal tone out. I know she/he has found the tool that gets out of the way.....for them.
Check out Alexandro Sanz. "Sirope" live in Spain has been playing on HBO. His bassist is tearing it up on a Musicman and a Yamaha EUB. She is bad&$$!
Last edited:
I have come to a conclusion that Ken Smith basses are still as popular as they have ever being. This are basses are truly a master piece. I decided to buy a White tiger 5, I wasn't sure to keep it, until I got to played at Church today for the first time and that bass cut and sang so incredible, wow. I would say that other than a Fodera this is a bass to own and keep for ever. wow, what an incredible bass.
All I know is all the gospel guys I listened to don't use them anymore. Years ago it seemed like every single one of them used a Smith but I don't think it has anything to do with quality of the bass.
I've owned 2. I sold the first to upgrade to a custom 19mm model. I had it for 6 years. I just sold it last year around this time. But I would definitley by another someday!
The only thing that led me to sell my CR-5 was a BT5G, and now I'm in the market for a Smith fretless. I have found my voice on the electric bass.
I think, to some extent, what has changed is that there is a lot more competition in boutique land than there was when I started playing a few decades ago. Smith, Alembic, Sadowsky, Fodera, Tobias seemed to be the most popular high end instruments, and there wasn't much competition. The sense that I get is that those four (plus MTD) are probably doing comparable volume now to what they were then, it's just that there is a bigger boutique market and more players in that market
I had the opportunity to play several Ken Smith basses at Rudey's Music in NYC several years ago. As I worked in NYC at the time, I was able to go multiple times to the store to play them. After a while the excitement of the bass would wear off and I could just focus on the sound of the instrument and the playability of the neck. I will tell you every KS bass I played was a joy each time, even when the strings were getting dead. The Ken Smith bass strings sound great on this bass as well. When I was ready to pull the trigger on the bass. when I went back it was sold.
I currently have a Fender MIA jazz V and Fender jazz 24 fret V that came with seymour duncan bass lines and active pre amp with D'Addario Chrome flats. My next bass if finances start to look up by the middle of next year, I will start saving for a Ken Smith bass. The maple body' are brighter and sound good but I will go for a BSR Ken Smith with the standard dark wood. The mid bark on this bass is amazing and will be a treasure that will be passed onto my son in 25 years.
I currently have a Fender MIA jazz V and Fender jazz 24 fret V that came with seymour duncan bass lines and active pre amp with D'Addario Chrome flats. My next bass if finances start to look up by the middle of next year, I will start saving for a Ken Smith bass. The maple body' are brighter and sound good but I will go for a BSR Ken Smith with the standard dark wood. The mid bark on this bass is amazing and will be a treasure that will be passed onto my son in 25 years.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
That completely cracked me up. And made my wife just give a blank stare. I guess ya gotta be a bass player.
A bit off topic, but bear with me...
There seems to be a line connecting a number of the boutique builders. Start by taking a look at a Gibson Grabber. Then look at the body size and style of the original Alembic large body basses...very similar. Except for the point and the headstock. Alembic uses a Crown headstock on the larger basses. Some of their smaller bodied basses (Spoiler, Essence, etc) use a cone headstock very similar to Grabber.
Ken Smith seems to have borrowed a lot from Alembic, including a lot of the shape, and the point. Smith points are smaller than Alembic points, but they are there. Smith also uses a modified version of the Alembic Crown headstock. Smith also used an offboard power supply, similar to Alembic for some of their early basses. Alembic still uses that for the Series basses. One of the craftsmen during the early days of Smith basses was Vinny Fodera. So, some direct ties between Alembic, Ken Smith, and Fodera.
It seems that a whole lot of Gospel players are into Bass Mods now. You can never underestimate the impact of fads and endorsements on what people play.
Who cares if they are popular. They sound dang good. Feel great too. Balance well. Play like butter. Come to think of it they look pretty good too.
