Ken Smith BSR6 - Should I do it....

[Richard_P_Harve]

Hey guys help me make a good decision here. I'm currently a 5 string player and my main axe is an F-Bass BN5 with not fancy top, a really decent bass. I had to opportunity to sit in with a band while on vacation and got to play a Ken Smith BSR6 and loved it. The neck profile was very thin and allowed me to manage a 6 string like I never thought I could. Since that time I have been looking and looking and have nearly decided to move forward with the purchase of a high end Tiger Maple Elite. I'm a finger style player, I almost never slap. I have read most every thread here about Ken's basses but did not get a real feel for what you guys all think of them. Please share your thoughts with me.... So of the things that concern me are, no passive option, 34" scale, Ken's pickups.....thanks guys.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

No passive option? That doesn't sound right to me. If you like it, get it. I loved the Ken Smith I had and regret trading it to this day.

 

[Richard_P_Harve]

Hey Cheese - Am I wrong...? Do Ken's basses have the ability to defeat the active electronics and run passive...?

 

[DONZI97]

Yes, the volume has a push/pull switch, to bypass the preamp. You won't have any tone controls, but the pickup pan still works.

 

[Bassman7PM]

If you can find a good deal on a BSR6 jump on it. I dont own one but have played them plenty of times and they are awesome basses. You won't regret it.

 

[Richard_P_Harve]

Thanks Donzi that's really good news, could not find that anywhere on Ken's website.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Hey Cheese - Am I wrong...? Do Ken's basses have the ability to defeat the active electronics and run passive...?

When I had a Ken Smith bolt-on Six, I used to pull up the volume pot and play it passive a great deal. I thought it sounded really fine passive too.

 

[DONZI97]

Invalid Link Removed

I just got a 92 CR5 bolt on with the old two band preamp. Great bass

 

[ElMon]

Not sure about the passive option, but I can tell you that of the 30 or so hi-end basses I've traded over the years, the BSREG 6'er I let go is the one that STILL haunts my dreams. Amazing instrument, and hands down the most playable 6 string I've owned.

If you get bitten by that Smith bug, there is literally no other bass that will get that sound and IMO that feel/playability. Just don't get a Smith thinking that it'll be an ultra-versatile work horse tonally. To me a Smith is like a Pbass, it's a one trick tone pony, but BOY what a trick it is!

 

[Richard_P_Harve]

Felling better every second....thanks guys.

 

[Richard_P_Harve]

Elmon, totally get your point about a one trick pony, that's why I'm going to hang onto my F-Bass ......

 

[ElMon]

Elmon, totally get your point about a one trick pony, that's why I'm going to hang onto my F-Bass ......

Funny you mention that. I'm actually waiting on a BN6 to be delivered to me tomorrow! Hoping it'll help me to forget that awesome Smith 6 I let go.

I should add that a Smith is also like a Pbass IMO in that despite it only having a few tones, they all work in just about every kind of music. I used mine in country/blues/neo-soul/jazz/etc.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

I can't recall if the tone controls don't work when the push pull is pulled.. I'll have to check.

Which bsr?

I think they still work...but rarely do I pull it.........

 

[Richard_P_Harve]

Which BSR ...? Well that's an open question for me right now, I'm looking at a couple of used Smith's, both are the BSR6GN model and if I choose to go new I'm going to go for a BSR6TNE