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Kent Armstrong vs Ken Smith pickups

#21
Has anyone ever obtained a diagram or any info on what the dip switches in the Smith preamp actually do? It's been an unanswered question on the Smith forum for ages. Ken's typical response has been to lock yourself in a room, crank up your gig rig and start flipping the dip switches until you find what moves you...I don't object to this point of view necessarily but as an engineer, I'd like to know as it would make the experimentation process more productive.

Sorry if this is too far off topic from the original post...
 
#23
And do we know what those frequencies are? I remember readin somewhere about what frequencies the older, 9v pre eq'd at, but I've no clue what the new ones are, or what you can adjust them to. I'd like to. If gonna bust a myth or mystique of one of the greatest builders of all time, IMHO, might as well get all the info. Wonder if Haz Labs know?
 
#25
Thanks again, David. Thing is, I've spoken with Mr. Smith on several occasions. And thoug he's never once acted as some have told me he would, he is quite secretive about certain aspects of his build process and his electronics and pickups. Secret is out now, of course, but bein a bit of an eccentric myself, I totally respect him for his ways. I'll try the Hazlabs site, and again thank you for all your info. Still wish he'd build a bass wit a maple fretboard, but hey, we can't have it all. Heh. Still love his basses, some of best on planet, imho, and though he can be very opinionated, so am I. So are we all.
 
#27
The Nameless said:
Thanks again, David. Thing is, I've spoken with Mr. Smith on several occasions. And thoug he's never once acted as some have told me he would, he is quite secretive about certain aspects of his build process and his electronics and pickups. Secret is out now, of course, but bein a bit of an eccentric myself, I totally respect him for his ways. I'll try the Hazlabs site, and again thank you for all your info. Still wish he'd build a bass wit a maple fretboard, but hey, we can't have it all. Heh. Still love his basses, some of best on planet, imho, and though he can be very opinionated, so am I. So are we all.
Click to expand...

I went to his shop in PA back in the mid 90's and bought some wood from him. He seemed happy enough to give us the grand tour. He probably knows as much as he needs to know about the electronics. He told them what he wanted and then approved the final designs.

I make pickups for some builders.. they don't know what's in them, just if they like them.
 
#28
I kinda figured. My experience not much different, though didn't go to shop. Want to, just busy, as usual. I traded for a Smith on line, and the bass was damaged in shipping, destroying the mid pot on the bass, though luckily not the module or damaging any of the wood. I do electronics work here, and setups and repair of basses, and called Ken to try to get a pot or module from him. He was very nice to me, told me the history of my bass, about woods (one of my big time interests), and lots more, but told me his electronics proprietary, and that to get the bass fixed I would have to send it there. I explained to him my experience in the field, but he wouldn't budge. Later, had a friend call who instead of just a guy in a house has a business name and license and was able to get the part, as well as a tuner that had worn out. Just recently, the truss rod adjustment nut has become partially stripped, and I tried to get one from him. Other companies have sent out stuff to me immediately and sometime free, just because it's their product. He said needed to buy strings and he'd ship the nut, or I could purchase one. This no big deal, but in my mind seems a bit protective. Although my rod adjustment nut still works, just gotta be careful, it really would have been nice to see him drop one in mail. It's what I would have done, but like said, totally understand his eccentric ways and it's an unnecessary repair, I'm just meticulous bout my instruments. No big deal, I think the guy one of the most knowledgable and fun guys to talk to in the industry. He has great knowledge, and one day want him to make a fretless replica of my current Smith, a '95 CR6GMW (big headstock, old style BT body, 9v pre and no switches), a beautiful playing and totally unique sounding bass, even for a Smith, and I've played many over the years. I'd like to see him more friendly and outgoin, but who am I to comment? I'll just enjoy. Heh. Hey, you build basses, right? Wanna build me a lawsuit Smith? Heh. All the secrets out, ha! Nah, I'd never do that to him. But he could be more open.
 
#29
Hey, you build basses, right? Wanna build me a lawsuit Smith? Heh. All the secrets out, ha! Nah, I'd never do that to him. But he could be more open.

It could be done, what with all the electronics and hardware for sale... it would be an interesting experiment if done by a good luthier... how similar would it be to a real Smith? You could even do one with a maple fretboard :hiding:
 
#30
The Nameless said:
Heh. Hey, you build basses, right? Wanna build me a lawsuit Smith? Heh. All the secrets out, ha! Nah, I'd never do that to him. But he could be more open.
Click to expand...

Some of the stuff is how he does his truss rod. He feels that has a lot to do with the tone.

I could copy one but I'd rather do my own thing. :)

Here's a bass built with some zebrawood I bought from him back then:

SGD_Scorpios_front.jpg
 
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