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I just bought a smith!

#10
Well ceeprm...I have a "Black Tiger" 6 string, which is about as "fancy" as they get...neck-thru, stunning figured black walnut top, flame walnut back over a tiger maple core with bubinga stringers, parallel switches, etc. ....and I just bought a BSR6M fretless, bolt-on neck, avodire solid body and wings, and there is absolutely no discernable difference in the quality of tone or feel between the two (besides the fretless tone, of course).

All that you are "giving up" in a lower-priced Smith is the labor and materials required for the higher-end models. All the love is there. :D

There are two kinds of bass players in the world. Those who play Smith basses...and the other kind.

:hiding:
 
#11
Actually, my BT-4 (circa 1983) sounds very much like a Fodera Monarch I was looking at.

The materials are the same, construction is the same, not sure about the pre but the p'ups are the same config...and Vinny Fodera used to work for Ken when this was made (I'm told).

I always liked Smiths, and now I have one.
I'm going to bring it into Ken's shop soon to have him do any restoration needed and a set-up.
 
#12
I got turned onto smiths when I saw this soul singer Musiq on tv and the bassist was using a smith and he sounded amazing- I later heard them do an unplugged set on the radio- bass no drums and the guy had the ultimate tone.... Every bassist ive heard since then using a smith has that unmistakable sound!!
 
#15
Originally posted by Craig Garfinkel
Well ceeprm...I have a "Black Tiger" 6 string, which is about as "fancy" as they get...neck-thru, stunning figured black walnut top, flame walnut back over a tiger maple core with bubinga stringers, parallel switches, etc. ....and I just bought a BSR6M fretless, bolt-on neck, avodire solid body and wings, and there is absolutely no discernable difference in the quality of tone or feel between the two (besides the fretless tone, of course).

All that you are "giving up" in a lower-priced Smith is the labor and materials required for the higher-end models. All the love is there. :D
Click to expand...

Word! Congrats on your new Smith. :)
 
#17
Wow,, I wish all "lower end" models looked like that!! I love the solid quilt body.

They had an Identical Smith at a local Sam Ash,, they wanted 2600 or something for it....

1100 pounds is about 1700 bucks right? Plus,, they're probably more expensive in Europe because of the shipping.

Nice!
 

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