Ken smith vs cirrus?

[Baryonyx]

I feel that these basses really deliver in different areas...

I'd have a real tough time chooisng between the two, though only if we were talking handmade Smith vs Cirrus.

 

[3NotesAbar]

Its apparent that the Cirrus basses are great value for money, and that the Ken Smiths are even better basses, at a different price point. If you're comparing KSD's or burners (korean i think?) with Cirrus, go with Cirrus (used).

 

[Silversorcerer]

You know there are imported Peavys and American made Peaveys, too. Stateside Peavey and KS are worlds apart. Imported KSD and imported Peavey, whole different ball of wax.

Here's a Cirrus Invalid Link RemovedInvalid Link RemovedInvalid Link Removed I designed after what I would consider to be my ideal custom. I could get sort of the same thing from KS, but it would be a Smith (neck might be attached, better!). Still, the cirrus is a very nice bass, no question. Fair price for what you get also, but really so is a Ken Smith. To me what Peavey is offering is a great service for the price, but what Ken is offering is a masterpiece instrument with a well established methodology that is unique in many ways. It's not really fair to compare because I don't think the manufacturers' goals are the same.

 

[barthanatos]

I've never really liked the shape of Ken Smith basses. I would still love to have one. I saw Warren Barfield live, who just brought his bass player with him, and he used a Ken Smith.Tone was incredible. He was playing through my SVT/Aguilar rig, since he was playing at my church.

As far as workmanship goes, I can tell you that the 12th fret inlay on my Cirrus could have been fit a little better. There's a (very) small gap that shouldn't have made it past QC.

 

[spade2you]

I would think a Cirrus would be a better alternative to a KSD.

In terms of playability, the Cirrus can hold its' own with the big dawgs. Honestly, if the custom shop were more organized and a shade more flexible, I'd never order anything that wasn't a Cirrus, with the exception of my Rob Allens, which are a different beast entirely. The low B is very good, especially compared to most (not all) 34" scale basses.

As for the ornate constuction and flawless nature of a master built instrument, yup, they fall a bit short.

Under 2k, I don't think you can get many basses with the similar specs and nice action. The tone isn't the same as other companies, but if you like it...it works!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I would likely give an edge to Ken Smith in terms of workmanship, but frankly, the edge in workmanship is probably more important for pride of ownership than any real playability issue. Even the advantage in workmanship is meager when one compares how much more expensive top of the line Ken Smiths are than even Custom Shop Cirruses.

As for those who say Peavey isn't much for quality, totally disagree. IMO, USA made Peaveys are very well made basses with features that other American makers do not offer except at much higher prices. That is true for new USA Peaveys (nowadays that is basically only the Cirrus) and it is 500% more true for used USA Peaveys. I really think the low price and easy availability of Peaveys makes many feel they are only beginners or bargain basses, I know I felt that way myself for many years, until I became really familiar with the USA Millenniums, and through that experience, other USA Peaveys.

As for those prefer Ken Smith, fine. They are great basses! As I said, I owned one and loved it, and I would happily buy one again. That said, I love Cirruses, and I think they are a better deal for me, and many others feel this way too. One thing I have learned on TB is that it is great to read the opinions of others, but one needs to trusts one's own ears and hands. I know what I like. If I like it, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, and Anthony Jackson could all tell me that a bass sucks, I would politely say I like it if I did!

 

[bongostealth]

Question: Has anyone here who owns a Cirrus, or a Smith, ever thought about installing Ken Smith pickups and a Ken Smith preamp in a Cirrus?

The reason I ask is that the Custom Shop Cirrus is such a nice bass and so is the Smith, although for the price you pay for a NT Smith, you could buy two Custom Shop Cirrus basses! Honestly, I can't justify spending $5K to $6K for a bass, regardless of the builder.

I love the tone of a Smith but not its price. Even used, they are expensive.

Do you think the "upgrade," if you can even call it that, would be a good idea if I'm looking for Smith tone without wanting to pay a Smith price?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

The Cirrus already sounds like a Ken Smith, there is no point in swapping the electronics.

 

[spade2you]

Agreed. You could possibly try out the pre-amp to see if you like it. The Cirrus pickups are so big and have a unique routing that it would probably look a tad too inelegantly modded when you put in the smaller Ken Smith pickups.

 

[bongostealth]

Agreed. You could possibly try out the pre-amp to see if you like it. The Cirrus pickups are so big and have a unique routing that it would probably look a tad too inelegantly modded when you put in the smaller Ken Smith pickups.

Yeah, I see what you are saying. The only thing with the Smith preamp is that I'm not sure if it would work with active pickups, as the Cirrus VFL pickups are active only. However, if I'm not mistaken, I would say that the Smith sound is primarily in the pickups.

 

[darrenmt]

Lets face it... there are a good amount of well made import basses for the money these days. The OP still hasn't told us what sort of Smith is being compared with the Cirrus to be able to properly advice on.

That being said, choice would be made based on preference of tone, feel, string spacing. For twice the money on the used market, I'd go US Smith any day over a Cirrus. Just makes more sense to me.

 

[smcd]

For twice the money on the used market, I'd go US Smith any day over a Cirrus. Just makes more sense to me.

For twice the money I'd go Smith over Cirrus too. Especially since used Smiths sell for 4-5 times the money of a used Cirrus.

 

[GM60466]

Ken Smith, hands down.

 

[spade2you]

The OP also posted this thread in 2007.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Agreed. You could possibly try out the pre-amp to see if you like it. The Cirrus pickups are so big and have a unique routing that it would probably look a tad too inelegantly modded when you put in the smaller Ken Smith pickups.

The retrofitting of Ken Smith pickups would probably look like pooh. If the OP has the Ken Smith itch that bad, he has to start pinching his pennies.

 

[bongostealth]

Just so we're all clear, I'm not the OP.

Also, I'm curious as to something I keep noticing. Believe me, I'm not trying to disrespect the Ken Smith brand. I too think they are wonderful basses. My dream Smith bass is a 6 NT Elite with quilt maple top and ebony FB. However, I notice that Ken Smith basses come up for sale A LOT! Both here AND on eBay. Why is that??

 

[ivlucas]

Question: Has anyone here who owns a Cirrus, or a Smith, ever thought about installing Ken Smith pickups and a Ken Smith preamp in a Cirrus?

The reason I ask is that the Custom Shop Cirrus is such a nice bass and so is the Smith, although for the price you pay for a NT Smith, you could buy two Custom Shop Cirrus basses! Honestly, I can't justify spending $5K to $6K for a bass, regardless of the builder.

I love the tone of a Smith but not its price. Even used, they are expensive.

Do you think the "upgrade," if you can even call it that, would be a good idea if I'm looking for Smith tone without wanting to pay a Smith price?

LOL.....I'm laughing because I have been where you are so many times. Im a gospel cat so you know for years Smiths dominated the Gospel market. This is a large part because the Smiths provide the mid tone that sits well in the mix with the full band and Hammond organ. I have tried every short cut including the Warmoth with Smith pickups and preamp which delivered the Smith tone all day long. I have also tried using just the Smith preamp which does not help much achieving that tone while the pickups will. The problem I found however in having several Smiths after that was the feel, its like putting a Mercedes engine in a Ford Mustang. I love Mercedes but cant afford one but if I had the option to have a Mustang with a Mercedes engine I might take it But once you drive a real Mercedes you realize you have missed out on the entire experience as far as build quality ect. I love the Cirrus basses but my experience with them has been hit and miss while every Smith I have owned as been a hit. I hope this helps.

Long story short, with the Cirrus super fast neck, placing Smith electronics in it would probably be a hit unless you pick up a real Smith after playing it

 

[bongostealth]

LOL.....I'm laughing because I have been where you are so many times. Im a gospel cat so you know for years Smiths dominated the Gospel market. This is a large part because the Smiths provide the mid tone that sits well in the mix with the full band and Hammond organ. I have tried every short cut including the Warmoth with Smith pickups and preamp which delivered the Smith tone all day long. I have also tried using just the Smith preamp which does not help much achieving that tone while the pickups will. The problem I found however in having several Smiths after that was the feel, its like putting a Mercedes engine in a Ford Mustang. I love Mercedes but cant afford one but if I had the option to have a Mustang with a Mercedes engine I might take it But once you drive a real Mercedes you realize you have missed out on the entire experience as far as build quality ect. I love the Cirrus basses but my experience with them has been hit and miss while every Smith I have owned as been a hit. I hope this helps.

Long story short, with the Cirrus super fast neck, placing Smith electronics in it would probably be a hit unless you pick up a real Smith after playing it

I think this is the best explanation I have received on this topic. Thank you for that!

 

[spade2you]

IDK, even when I compare my Cirri to Rob Allen, Cliff Bordwell, and Stambaugh I don't feel that the Cirrus is really missing anything or falling short. As long as you don't mind narrow string spacing and 35" scale, it's a great bass.

 

[smcd]

However, I notice that Ken Smith basses come up for sale A LOT! Both here AND on eBay. Why is that??

Smith made a lot of basses in the 90's. He also expanded his line to include bolt-on's and Asian made models. But if you count only the neck-through models, Smiths aren't up for sale more than most other high end brands.