Ken Smith Model # Confusion!

[climb]

Curious about Smith basses, but everytime I go to the website to take a look, all I see is a barrage of weird code names that mean little to me.

What's the deal with the Smith model names? Is there any simple way to understand them? Is there any simple ranking of these basses in terms of quality/options (eg. it seems like the Black Tiger is the highest end Smith, but I'm not even sure about that). Are certain models associated with certain sound characteristics beyond the 'Smith' sound? Also, are all the fingerboards ebony or rosewood? Seems there's no maple boards on any that I've seen...

Thanks for any information!

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

the main things to look for now a days are the electronics and the wood laminate layer amounts...

I think they all pretty much come with 18v pre-amps now...

the main differences are the seriese / paralell switches, and internal dip switches...


the first letters are the body SHAPE = BSR / BMT / BT
the number is the number of strings = 4 5 6 7
then G stands for Graphite inlayed neck

I think thats the main things...

I have 3 smiths...

BMT6EG = BMT body / 6 string / Elite / Graphite
BSR6EG = BSR body / 6 string / Elite / Graphite
BSR6GN = BSR body / 6 string / Graphite / N? maybe no dip switches?

Here are pix... you can see the diferences.... they are pictured in the order...

Its 4am, maybe after a nap I can remember more...

 

[hasbeen]

being in marketing in the music industry, I'm pretty critical of many companies model number methodologies. Smith is confusing, Lakland is very arbitrary as well.

Rule number one for a manufacturer in stuff like this is "what is obvious to the manufacturer, gets lost to the market place".

But, but, but- remember, these small boutique companies represent the best of the builders and designers we have and that is where their skill set lies. ....not in marketing.

My number one bass since 1984 has been a Ken Smith of various models....still have that 1984 btw. Now I play mostly a 6 string neck through, with graphite bars and such. I don't know the model number and I'm not saying that to be cute. Day in and day out though, it is my go to bass and the bands I play with actually ask me to bring it.

I also have a USA, quilt top Lakland 5 string and at any given moment, I can't tell you the model of that bass either. But, I still LOVE the bass.

On Ken's site, there is a great deal of VERY cool info on woods, tones and such and his basses are KILLER. It is well worth wading through the model number schematic.

FWIW, I don't think Fodera's are anymore linear. They may seem to be to you because you are more affiliated with their models. To me though, I find it quite confusing when trying to figure out which are dovetail and which are neck thru. I always keep in mind though, that the more time these companies spend on marketing and website development, the less time they have to build, which is their core skill.

 

[climb]

For Fodera, it may not be simpler than Smith, but it is pretty simple:

Deluxe = dovetail (set neck)
Elite = neck through.

That's it!

Thanks for all the helpful info--on the Smith, what does elite signify? The neck view from the back of SlapInFunk's 3 basses look different, but the first two are supposed to be Elite.

Which Smith would you recommend for somebody who likes high end stuff but has never played a Smith?

 

[hasbeen]

For Fodera, it may not be simpler than Smith, but it is pretty simple:

Deluxe = dovetail (set neck)
Elite = neck through.

That's it!

Thanks for all the helpful info--on the Smith, what does elite signify? The neck view from the back of SlapInFunk's 3 basses look different, but the first two are supposed to be Elite.

Which Smith would you recommend for somebody who likes high end stuff but has never played a Smith?

SlapinFunk's bass all the way on the left is similar to this:
Invalid Link Removed

This has more (seven I think) laminates in the neck and body. I'm not sure though, if it is an ongoing model or only for the "Anniversary".


You'd probably be looking at a BSR "Elite" G. BSR is Ken's "updated" (vs. the BT series) body shape. "Elite" is 5 piece (vs. 3 pc.) laminated wings. "G" means graphite bars in the neck.

Here's the page:

http://www.kensmithbasses.com/models/neckthru/bsrbtelite.html

I have one of these as my main bass......it's a 6 string with mahagony body, quilt maple top.

There was an extra charge on mine for the grade of the top.

 

[hasbeen]

For Fodera, it may not be simpler than Smith, but it is pretty simple:

Deluxe = dovetail (set neck)
Elite = neck through.

That's it!

Thanks for all the helpful info--on the Smith, what does elite signify? The neck view from the back of SlapInFunk's 3 basses look different, but the first two are supposed to be Elite.

Which Smith would you recommend for somebody who likes high end stuff but has never played a Smith?

SlapinFunk's bass on the left is similar to this:
Invalid Link Removed

....has seven piece laminates. I'm not sure if this is an ongoing model though or only for his anniversary.

 

[Halftooth]

Also, the "P" meant Pro which years back equated to getting a 5-piece body as compared to a 3-piece body.

I don' know why, but if I don't see a 5-piece body, I don't really consider the Smith to be "top of the line"...it's sort of like getting a luxury car without the leather interior.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

My bass on the Left is a BMT Elite 6 G...

Very similar to the new "Fusion" series which has a 7 piece body / neck option as well... He finally brought back the 7 piece necks...

The 7 piece neck / body was an option on the BSR body style as well.

The horns are a little different on the BMT from the BSR / Fusion...

The main difference between the BMT / Fusion/BSR is the bottom by the bridge the notch isnt there. The BSR has the notch... the Fusion combines the best of both body styles... The smaller BSR type without the notch like the BMT.

with the lamintes they do make a big difference look wise... with my BSR6EG and BSR6GN, the 3 piece body wings dont have the same look to them at all... it is a lighter bass, but also has a walnut core... Still a great instrument, same playability... it just affects the "Look"