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I’m not a bass player but just bought a 1982 Ken Smith—thoughts?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by terrence bagley, Jun 22, 2020.

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  1. Jun 22, 2020 #1
    terrence bagley

    terrence bagley

    Jun 22, 2020
    I’m a drummer and lawyer (unlimited joke potential). Anyway, I just bought a friend of mine a 1982 Ken Smith number 64. Any knowledge of this bass or thoughts are appreciated.
     

    Attached Files:

    SakuBass, Chrisenbacker69, alack and 42 others like this.
  2. Jun 22, 2020 #2
    Dr. Cheese

    Dr. Cheese Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 3, 2004
    Metro St. Louis
    As you probably know, this is a super rare bass that except for the pickups, it is very different from what Ken Smith basses would become. I have only seen pictures of these very early Smiths.
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2020
    miljoneir, dkelley, tindrum and 9 others like this.
  3. Jun 22, 2020 #3
    Bassist30

    Bassist30 Supporting Member

    Mar 19, 2004
    NEW YORK
    Search all the information you can get if you decide to sell it. If not it will go up in value.
     
    dkelley likes this.
  4. Jun 22, 2020 #4
    two fingers

    two fingers Opinionated blowhard. But not mad about it. Inactive

    Feb 7, 2005
    Eastern NC USA
    Welcome to TalkBass! I know nothing about that bass other than it is a fine example of bass history. That being said, can I be your friend too? :cool:
     
    The Owl, Bleecker, SunByrne and 29 others like this.
  5. Jun 22, 2020 #5
    Maxdusty

    Maxdusty

    Mar 9, 2012
    Michigan USA
    I don't care what they say about drummers and lawyers, you did good there. Just joking, well about the lawyer part. But Holy cow- how good of a friend is this????
     
    bholder, champbassist, rollie 55 and 2 others like this.
  6. Jun 22, 2020 #6
    sleddogn

    sleddogn

    Sep 8, 2013
    Love My Dogs
    I think the ISS is missing a control panel
     
    fivestringgecko, Nashrakh, kobass and 32 others like this.
  7. Jun 22, 2020 #7
    nutdog

    nutdog when I'm a good dog they sometimes throw me a bone

    Feb 19, 2009
    in the dog house
    Who’d you sue to get it and have you drooled on it yet?


    Cool bass. Welcome.
     
    bobyoung53, Colin Cunliffe, rufus.K and 2 others like this.
  8. Jun 22, 2020 #8
    BioWeapon

    BioWeapon

    Feb 16, 2013
    Calgary, Alberta
    I have dreams of having that many switches... for others it's a nightmare! :D
     
    SirMjac28, Funky Phantom, AudioTaper and 1 other person like this.
  9. Jun 22, 2020 #9
    sleddogn

    sleddogn

    Sep 8, 2013
    Love My Dogs
    just googling ken smith 64, i did find old ebay listing from few years back asking 8199 for it.
     
    champbassist, AudioTaper, Obese Chess and 1 other person like this.
  10. Jun 22, 2020 #10
    JRA

    JRA my words = opinion Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 28, 2013
    Indianapolis and Cincinnati
    :laugh: that said: i'm sure you're gonna get excused/forgiven for being one of those (but not both!). :D

    that's a beautiful instrument. you're a super friend! good luck getting the info you need! :thumbsup:
     
    Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati, Fun Size Nick and Dr. Cheese like this.
  11. Jun 22, 2020 #11
    Eddie LeBlanc

    Eddie LeBlanc

    Oct 26, 2014
    Beaumont, Texas
    Don't create no problem, won't be no problem.
    Interesting. Serial #55 was on sale on Reverb, but the listing is discontinued. They were listing it for 4.4 K. It did have different pups. They looked like Bill Laurence style dual blade pups.
    But you got a beauty there.
     
  12. Jun 22, 2020 #12
    gebass6

    gebass6 We're not all trying to play the same music. Supporting Member

    May 3, 2009
    Hiding in the comet's tail
    Except for the fact that it's a four banger,it's almost a splitting image of Anthony Jacksons first Ken Smith 6.
    A.J..jpg
     
    The Owl, Rdore2000, kobass and 10 others like this.
  13. Jun 22, 2020 #13
    bassdude51

    bassdude51 "You never even called me by my name." Supporting Member

    Nov 1, 2008
    Central Ohio
    WOW!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    jerry, MAXSPINRUN and Dr. Cheese like this.
  14. Jun 22, 2020 #14
    terrence bagley

    terrence bagley

    Jun 22, 2020
    Great to hear these positive comments—keep them coming. It is for a friend—some might know him if I mentioned his name but keeping that confidential—he is very unassuming, humble guy.
     
    Aqualung60, BassFishingInAmerica, 31HZ and 1 other person like this.
  15. Jun 22, 2020 #15
    PotsdamBass8

    PotsdamBass8 Supporting Member

    Jan 23, 2005
    Long Island, NY
    Looks like a passive P-bass clone.
     
    Mvilmany, madjazzbass, BassBuzzRS and 21 others like this.
  16. Jun 22, 2020 #16
    Beej

    Beej

    Feb 10, 2007
    Vancouver Island
    OMG, Jeff Berlin?
     
    The Owl, mngnt, Erithon and 24 others like this.
  17. Jun 22, 2020 #17
    luciens

    luciens

    Feb 9, 2020
    A terrible bass in terrible shape! You must send it directly to me, right now, for er, evaluation and testing... :)

    Totally jealous,

    L
     
    madjazzbass, Bleecker, Gibson Victory and 2 others like this.
  18. Jun 22, 2020 #18
    Smoove-Groove

    Smoove-Groove

    Jun 18, 2013
    Ontario, Canada
    hXc6oyU.gif
     
    seedokebass, madjazzbass, bobyoung53 and 18 others like this.
  19. Jun 22, 2020 #19
    Killing Floor

    Killing Floor Supporting Member

    Feb 7, 2020
    Austin, TX
    I dunno, bass looks OK to me I guess...

    If you're an attorney and you rock...Are you David Komie? I thought you were a guitarist. Welcome to TB.
    upload_2020-6-22_15-59-0.jpeg
     
    bobyoung53, The Owl, jjk2007 and 4 others like this.
  20. Jun 22, 2020 #20
    Ace Of Bass

    Ace Of Bass A Rooster Illusion

    Jun 27, 2006
    DMV
    All that I know about early Ken Smiths is that Smith built most of them with Vinny Fodera, making them pretty collectible...it looks like it has an onboard DI...very interesting..
     
    madjazzbass likes this.
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