Ken Smith BSRJ on GC Website

[conttador]

Hello Low End brethren!

I recently bought & returned a Smith BSRJ from GC. It’s not a bad price until you see the abuse that bass has taken.

Note the missing chunk of wood; I have no idea how that happened.

Then there’s this:

I guess the cord was bothering someone so much they felt compelled to create this abomination. I have the same issue w cords but I just wrap the cord around my strap.

I didn’t even plug the bass in which didn't include a gig bag and was shipped wrapped in bubble wrap. GC just added the bass back to their online inventory:

Used Ken Smith BSR5 5 String Natural Electric Bass Guitar:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If you’re thinking about that bass be aware of what you’ll get.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

What did they list the original condition as when you bought it? The listing up there puts it as "Good", but that pretty much means "Works and not beat to death" in their condition ratings system. Guessing they didn't include pics of either of those issues with their original posting?

At that price, the modification would tick me off too, but I'm guessing the wood missing could be someone using that as their anchor point when playing? Just a guess. Will never understand how somebody could take a bass like that and screw something into it so carelessly. Personal opinion, but that looks very tacky to me.

 

[mikeswals]

That wood dig is from someone (gross) fingernail digging in there for years.

I've had a BSR, the cable looped just fine over that strap lock button (yes, Smiths come with Dunlops), I cannot see the need for such a crappy hideous loom retainer screwed carelessly like that

 

[ardgedee]

Guessing they didn't include pics of either of those issues with their original posting?

Given as the pipe clamp is photoshopped out of the current listing, they know what they have and don't want it to show.

 

[31HZ]

That bridge looks like a crime scene.

 

[ModuMan]

Wow, that listing is downright deceptive.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Hello Low End brethren!

I recently bought & returned a Smith BSRJ from GC. It’s not a bad price until you see the abuse that bass has taken.

View attachment 7314706

Note the missing chunk of wood; I have no idea how that happened.

Then there’s this:

View attachment 7314708

I guess the cord was bothering someone so much they felt compelled to create this abomination. I have the same issue w cords but I just wrap the cord around my strap.

I didn’t even plug the bass in which didn't include a gig bag and was shipped wrapped in bubble wrap. GC just added the bass back to their online inventory:

Used Ken Smith BSR5 5 String Natural Electric Bass Guitar:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If you’re thinking about that bass be aware of what you’ll get.

Let me just give a clarion call of BS etc... for GC not getting their internet and web presence together IN 2025!!!! I wouldn't by Jack. Freaking. Squat. Used from their website. It's a disaster. I'm surprised there aren't Geocites blinking unicorns on the home page.

Jebus Criminy.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I bet someone played the snot out of that thing- because it probably sounds and plays incredible

 

[ragetoca]

I could have lived with all of that if the price was right....I have done extensive work on my basses before, I see that and it does not scare me much, but again, depends on price..

 

[BobKos]

I agree with Smooth_bass88. To have gone through the effort to buy it and have it shipped etc and to not bother to plug it in and try it seems like a crime of sorts. It very well could have been the best bass you ever played! A few warts and bumps don't make it a dumpster fire. I guess my priorities are different but I'll take a great playing bass with lumps over a pristine POS any day.

 

[ModuMan]

Assuming the bass was structurally sound and the pre-amp unmolested (the replacement knobs are odd) the rest would be clean up which is certainly do-able. Probably more attractive at a lower price point but I still think that not showing that clamp in the photos is ridiculous.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Looks fine to me, considering it's a well-used bass. I've seen worse for sale. I probably wouldn't pay that much for it, but I'm not in the market for a Smith or anything else.

 

[billiard]

I bet someone played the snot out of that thing- because it probably sounds and plays incredible

I thought the same thing...... I'll bet it's bad to the bone.

 

[jVilla76]

Who would desecrate such a beautiful boutique bass? Can't say I'm surprised about GC's professional ethics, as tales of such shenanigans are plentiful on TB. Never bought a bass from them and would probably go the sweetwater route if I was buying new and couldn't find it locally. Seems like a lot more positive reviews from buyers. Thank goodness for the return policy so your not stuck with a lemon. Got to be a bummer though, looking forward to your new bass then this shows up.

 

[billiard]

My teeth are messed up, but I still kiss good. I'll bet that bass was amazing.

 

[ole Jason]

I feel like you see a lot of older Ken Smith basses that are pretty trashed. They're awesome and tended to end up in the hands of people who played them a lot. I would have been totally fine with that bass if the price is right. It's downright pristine compared to some of the guitars from the 40's I've bought or played.

 

[conttador]

What did they list the original condition as when you bought it? The listing up there puts it as "Good", but that pretty much means "Works and not beat to death" in their condition ratings system. Guessing they didn't include pics of either of those issues with their original posting?

At that price, the modification would tick me off too, but I'm guessing the wood missing could be someone using that as their anchor point when playing? Just a guess. Will never understand how somebody could take a bass like that and screw something into it so carelessly. Personal opinion, but that looks very tacky to me.

Same condition, Good. I missed out on another BSRJ on reverb for about the same price in much better condition! As others noted, no mention of the defects and clearly left off the pics!

 

[Johnny Alien]

A little while back GC adopted using a photo app that removes the background in order to make the photos universally more appealing. It is really aggressive as a filter and as you can see often removes the tuners from the photos as well. There is nothing the store can do about that and its not done to be intentionally deceptive. They really need to fix it or stop using it. The price is kind of high but I don't think its entirely unfair. This is a rough market though so who's to say

 

[conttador]

That wood dig is from someone (gross) fingernail digging in there for years.

I've had a BSR, the cable looped just fine over that strap lock button (yes, Smiths come with Dunlops), I cannot see the need for such a crappy hideous loom retainer screwed carelessly like that

I own a two BTs and a BMT and while some show wear on the finish near the pickups, I can confidently say that none are missing any wood!

 

[conttador]

Given as the pipe clamp is photoshopped out of the current listing, they know what they have and don't want it to show.

The pic w the missing tuners should have been one of MANY red flags!