Ken Smith new America’s Distributor

[Ric Vice]

That's an amazing sounding and looking bass for that price, Really a bargain, The Metrolines are in the same ballpark as the 55-94's so that will be quite an upscale purchase. For about 2 years I owned a Lakland 55-02 Lined Fretless, before I bought the 55-94 pictured above. Aside from the weight, (it was heavier), nut composition (delrin vs bone) Hipshot licensed gears (versus Hipshot U.S.A tuners) and a flat sawn neck (vs quarter sawn) the 55-02 sounded, played, and looked as good as the 55-94.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

That's an amazing sounding and looking bass for that price, Really a bargain, The Metrolines are in the same ballpark as the 55-94's so that will be quite an upscale purchase. For about 2 years I owned a Lakland 55-02 Lined Fretless, before I bought the 55-94 pictured above. Aside from the weight, (it was heavier), nut composition (delrin vs bone) Hipshot licensed gears (versus Hipshot U.S.A tuners) and a flat sawn neck (vs quarter sawn) the 55-02 sounded, played, and looked as good as the 55-94.

I expect the Metroline to be better, but not a world better. Your 55-94 is gorgeous. I remember the old MacMurray Music had a 55-94 I lusted after. It was just gorgeous and sounded great. I miss that store. I remember Billy Sheehan doing a clinic there that I thought was amazing.

 

[Ric Vice]

Dr. Cheese,
I miss McMurray as well. I remember that bass. I almost bought it when the store had their closing sale. It was a Cherry Sunburst with a rosewood fingerboard. Good luck with the Metroline purchase it's an exceptional bass. Worth the investment

 

[Les Fret]

Gentlemen, my Mirecourt French Double Bass is appraised at $10 K. So which would I rather own and play. The answer is a no brainer for me.

A Ken Smith?

 

[Ric Vice]

A Ken Smith?

 

[frankie5string]

For the US, yes, but he said from Argentina to Canada so there must be some incentive for this shop handling all the shipping and export for his operation.

I wonder if there's a tariff / tax incentive to sell them out of a retail establishment...(or likely a disincentive to sell them direct)

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I wonder if there's a tariff / tax incentive to sell them out of a retail establishment...(or likely a disincentive to sell them direct)

Remember tariff talk is verboten.

 

[frankie5string]

Remember tariff talk is verboten.

That's not what I meant... NAICS/SIC codes are different for a builder vs a retailer. So there could be incentives to shift away from direct sales.
Wasn't referring to the he who shall not be named and his decisions.