• 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.

Are Ken Smith basses still popular?

#101
I'd love to have a Ken Smith.
Unfortunately, I only have a KSB Burner sized budget. And those don't seem to come with those beautiful dark wood (walnut?) tops like the higher-price models.
And most Ken Smiths I see are five strings. Strike three.
So, I don't see a Ken Smith in my future.
 
#103
I guess I'm in the minority. I played a few Smiths and did not like them. I would have to have special specs on a build for me if I ever went there but I'm anti-high dollar bass. Didn't like the Sadowsky's I played either. Best 'high dollar' bass I ever played was a Modulus.

Side note: I love maple boards and I don't think I ever saw a Smith with a Maple board. Any bass I buy has to have a maple board.
 
  • Like
Reactions: zortation and Dr. Cheese
#104
DWBass said:
I guess I'm in the minority. I played a few Smiths and did not like them. I would have to have special specs on a build for me if I ever went there but I'm anti-high dollar bass. Didn't like the Sadowsky's I played either. Best 'high dollar' bass I ever played was a Modulus.

Side note: I love maple boards and I don't think I ever saw a Smith with a Maple board. Any bass I buy has to have a maple board.
Click to expand...

I agree with you about how great Modulus is. I had a couple, and I loved them.
 
#108
May be a generalization but I've noticed that some well known Smith Players also played Music Man Basses. Sadowsky's and PRS. :-)
 
#110
I don't think they ever were "popular" in the sense of lots of people owning them - lots of people GASsing for them, sure, but most of us can't afford them! (I have basses with Ken Smith pickups, and I like using Ken Smith strings on others, does that count?)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dr. Cheese
#111
Dr. Cheese said:
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.
Click to expand...

I've checked out a few Bass Mods, as recently as last night. They're the real deal, much nicer than most 70's jazz clones I've come across. The price on a new customized one isn't bad either. So yeah, endorsements probably don't hurt but having a bass that nails a vibe and plays well may be the bigger reason why some are gravitating towards them. I wouldn't consider 70's jazz type basses a fad.
:)
 
  • Like
Reactions: DWBass
#112
Brad Johnson said:
I've checked out a few Bass Mods, as recently as last night. They're the real deal, much nicer than most 70's jazz clones I've come across. The price on a new customized one isn't bad either. So yeah, endorsements probably don't hurt but having a bass that nails a vibe and plays well may be the bigger reason why some are gravitating towards them. I wouldn't consider 70's jazz type basses a fad.
:)
Click to expand...

It's great to know that Bass Mods delivers the goods! They have some very attractive prices. Back to my point, basses that become fads or the hip choice are generally good. That is why people buy them. Somebody hip is seen getting good results, and other people jump on the bandwagon. That does not mean that last month's flavor suddenly became a crappy bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mr_O'B
#113
Dr. Cheese said:
It's great to know that Bass Mods delivers the goods! They have some very attractive prices. Back to my point, basses that become fads or the hip choice are generally good. That is why people buy them. Somebody hip is seen getting good results, and other people jump on the bandwagon. That does not mean that last month's flavor suddenly became a crappy bass.
Click to expand...

I don't disagree about fads in general or bandwagon type choices. I've checked out most of those types of things and usually found them wanting. I'm just saying that wasn't the case with the Bass Mod jazzes that I've checked out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dr. Cheese
#114
Brad Johnson said:
I don't disagree about fads in general or bandwagon type choices. I've checked out most of those types of things and usually found them wanting. I'm just saying that wasn't the case with the Bass Mod jazzes that I've checked out.
Click to expand...

That's fine. P-basses with flats are a bandwagon thing among certain bassists, but they certainly work well in lots of settings.:)

Maybe I will order a Jazz or P/J from Bass Mods. They sure sound great on YouTube, and they are almost cheap!
 
#115
image.png
image.png
Hey @M.R. Ogle, here's a Burner that might be up your alley.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Toso2121, M.R. Ogle and Green Lantern
#116
Brad Johnson said:
I've checked out a few Bass Mods, as recently as last night. They're the real deal, much nicer than most 70's jazz clones I've come across. The price on a new customized one isn't bad either. So yeah, endorsements probably don't hurt but having a bass that nails a vibe and plays well may be the bigger reason why some are gravitating towards them. I wouldn't consider 70's jazz type basses a fad.
:)
Click to expand...

how could they go wrong? Price is great. Plek means no human error.

The cheap Sandbergs are the only ones that might give them a run for their money and pose a threat. And that's a big MIGHT, since USA doesn't get a lot of the cheaper versions.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dr. Cheese
#117
Whippet said:
how could they go wrong? Price is great. Plek means no human error.

The cheap Sandbergs are the only ones that might give them a run for their money and pose a threat. And that's a big MIGHT, since USA doesn't get a lot of the cheaper versions.
Click to expand...

How could they go wrong? Okay.
:D

My experiences with Plek'd basses hasn't lead me to believe that they'll automatically result in the best possible results.
 
#118
I have two Kens, both 5-strings; one fretted and one fretless. Both were made in 1999 and have held up very well.

I have too many basses (according to my wife), but I've always thought if I could have just one bass, it would be the fretted Ken Smith. It does have a unique sound, and it doesn't work for my typical casual and jazz gigs, but none of my other instruments feel or play as well. I think they are worth the investment.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PaulErik and Dr. Cheese
#119
MobileHolmes said:
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
Click to expand...

I think this is right. But in the wrong direction. Yes there are a ton of great high end makers out there. And it seems like there is a new High end awesome builder of the year every year to pull away from the big names.

But, I think it is actually the low end of the spectrum. The "low end" mass produced basses that are being pumped out of everywhere have seriously upped their game at a very attractive prices. Ibanez, you want barts? Nordstrand? no problem. Korean made brand X, with semi custom options, sure. Or at least what was only available 5 years ago on the highest end of the spectrum for big money (e.g. SX fanned frets, exotic tops, etc).

Click the "buy it now" @ 2 days and 1K later, the guy in the brown shorts drops it off. And it is not exactly what you want? Call the guy to pick it up and see your 100% refund in 24 hrs.
Wash, rinse, repeat the process until the sub 1k bass is exactly the one you want. It may take a couple of weeks and a few different instruments. But you have that near instant satisfaction of having that instrument in your hand to judge for yourself.

Compare that to a 6 month to 3 year+ wait. 3k+. And the nagging question of what will it actually be like when it's done. Or, the I added all of these options that I had to have, was that a good idea or not?

It makes the highest end of the spectrum a lot less attractive.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MobileHolmes

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back