Ken Smith Strings

[Stan_da_man]

I never really see much love for Ken Smith strings.

Now, I know they don't make their own strings... but they're still good value.

The Bass Burners NPS and Master Series SS are both great strings.

 

[michael_t]

I never really see much love for Ken Smith strings...

You're right about Ken Smith NPS and SS rounds not being mentioned very often around here, but every time either the KS Compressors (Alloy 52 rollerwound) or the KS Slick Rounds (Alloy 52 half-rounds) are mentioned, the comments are generally positive.

 

[michael_t]

The Bass Burners NPS and Master Series SS are both great strings.

Just curious...
Are they readily available in UK?

 

[Reedt2000]

I've been playing KS Taper Core stainless strings for years. I found em searching for sets with a tapered B & E string so I didn't have to widen the saddle slots in my Warwick FNA Jazzman 5-string. I really like the Smith strings, they are deep and clear on the low end and bright and crisp on the top. The Warwick is really strong in the mid range so the Smith strings compliment it well. Ive got em on a Smith BSR5P too and they are great (though that bass just sounds awesome, you could probably string it with old shoe laces and it would still have killer tones )

 

[Stan_da_man]

Just curious...
Are they readily available in UK?

One shop near me stocks them. They are one of the few bass guitar specialists in the UK though...

 

[michael_t]

The Bass Burners NPS and Master Series SS are both great strings.

Based on the info on the Ken Smith website, it looks like the Bass Burners NPS are possibly the closest cousin to the GHS Boomers, while the Master Series Custom Balanced SS are closest to the GHS Super Steels, although there are some minor spec differences between GHS and KS.

 

[iiipopes]

Based on the info on the Ken Smith website, it looks like the Bass Burners NPS are possibly the closest cousin to the GHS Boomers, while the Master Series Custom Balanced SS are closest to the GHS Super Steels, although there are some minor spec differences between GHS and KS.

Yes. The spec differences are slight differences in gauges in the set, color of the silk, and sometimes the winding length. I wanted a light set of GHS SuperSteels, and wanted a 75 A string. GHS quit making them, but juststrings.com had some new old stock singles. I bought several. Construction-wise, the KS are GHS, made by GHS, just to his specs on the set gauges, silk colors, and speaking length.

 

[VT Pete]

Ever since I tried Ken Smith Slick Rounds I was hooked. They have become an essential part of my tone and I am addicted to the feel!

 

[Stan_da_man]

Based on the info on the Ken Smith website, it looks like the Bass Burners NPS are possibly the closest cousin to the GHS Boomers, while the Master Series Custom Balanced SS are closest to the GHS Super Steels, although there are some minor spec differences between GHS and KS.

That's why I like Ken Smith strings.

They come in standard gauges that GHS typically don't. I love 40-100 gauge but GHS don't do that.

GHS Super Steels in my preferred gauge = Rock Masters 40-100. Win - win!

 

[michael_t]

That's why I like Ken Smith strings.
They come in standard gauges that GHS typically don't. I love 40-100 gauge but GHS don't do that.

One of the reasons I converted to GHS is the fact a lot of their factory sets are better balanced tension-wise than the traditional 40-60-80-100 or 45-65-85-105, which tend to be middle-heavy, meaning A and D are tighter than G and E. Also, the GHS "universal long scale" with 37.25" winding length fits my 34" scale basses better than the KS "long scale" with 38" winding length.

This is why it's good to have different options to keep us all happy.

 

[Stan_da_man]

I wish I could purchase the GHS Super Steels in the UK but it's almost impossible to walk into a shop and buy a GHS string other than Boomers. Even online, if I want Super Steels then I would probably have to order from the US.

 

[michael_t]

I wish I could purchase the GHS Super Steels in the UK but it's almost impossible to walk into a shop and buy a GHS string other than Boomers. Even online, if I want Super Steels then I would probably have to order from the US.

The local store where I live (Winnipeg Canada) is well stocked for bass strings as long as I use GHS Boomers, D'A XL Nickels, EB Slinkys or DR Hi Breams.

Have you tried Amazon UK?

 

[Stan_da_man]

The local store where I live (Winnipeg Canada) is well stocked for bass strings as long as I use GHS Boomers, D'A XL Nickels, EB Slinkys or DR Hi Breams.

Have you tried Amazon UK?

Amazon is really hit and miss.

Outside of Boomers, I could purchase some Precision Flats but those would cost $40 USD...

UK string prices are a rip off. It's cheaper to order from the States and pay the higher shipping costs than to buy in the shop here.

 

[michael_t]

UK string prices are a rip off. It's cheaper to order from the States and pay the higher shipping costs than to buy in the shop here.

Same here in Canada... Even with the current USD-CAD exchange rate (which absolutely sucks!), I can still save money by ordering from Fret Nation as Jason is always flexible with pricing to offset the cost of international shipping.

 

[Bob_Ross]

With the exception of the three basses I own which sport nylon tapewounds, flatwounds, and 8-string (octave course) sets respectively, all my basses are strung up with Ken Smith strings ...and have been since 1985. Their stainless steel roundwound RockMaster Series strings are my go-to, fabulous string.

 

[Vinny_G]

Are they made by GHS? Their Custom Balanced Round Wounds have exactly the same gauges as the Super Steels.

 

[michael_t]

Are they made by GHS? Their Custom Balanced Round Wounds have exactly the same gauges as the Super Steels.

Yes, they are, although to Ken Smith specs.

 

[Jim Carr]

Love the slick rounds on my fretless EADBC Valenti.

 

[Bob_Ross]

Love the slick rounds on my fretless EADBC Valenti.

Ha! I use Ken Smith Slick Rounds on my fretless EADGC Warmoth! Awesome string for fretless bass.

 

[Jim Carr]

Ha! I use Ken Smith Slick Rounds on my fretless EADGC Warmoth! Awesome string for fretless bass.

Here are pics of my EADGC beauty. I'm not sure it's sporting KS Slicks in the photos. They were taken by Nino Valenti on his dining room floor, just after he finished the build. The first owner put the KS strings on it, I believe. It's been restrung with them ever since I got it from him in 2007 or so. The C string really sings.