KSD Jazz Bass

Take them not returning your email as a sign! Stay away from those basses!

 

You might search 'KSD Jazz' in this forum, and read 'KSD Customer Service'.

 

I've owned my KSD Proto J 705 for about 5 years now. It's been my main bass for that entire time and although others here on Talkbass have slammed it, I gotta say that it's a fantastic bass; especially for the price. I have used it several times in the studio as well as countlless live shows and it has never let me down. It sounds like Jazz bass should and it looks great. Some have changed the pre amp, some have complained that the neck is chunky and some complain that it's heavy. While I definitely agree that it's on the heavy side (at least my 5 string version is) I don't agree with those other complaints.

In all fairness, most of the KSD complaints have been directed towards Brooklyn Gear who distributes them. IMO, all those complaints are true so it's too bad that such a crap company handles them because they're nice basses.

 

Oh they are a very respectable dealer. I've bought gear from them before and had zero issues.

I just meant, take it as a sign!

 

Stay away from them.Read my posts" KSD Lesson learned"
Adam from Brooklyn gear strung me along for over a year telling me he would send me a new neck because the one my bass came with had a serious defect.
He never came through with anything.I felt like such an idiot for having bought into his lies.
Don't let that happen to you.
If you want a nice cheap Jazz Bass look at the SX basses.Rondomusic.com
I hear they have good customer service too.
I'm thinking about getting one myself.Probably the 75 series LTD.

 

KSD's sound pretty damn good...

the electronics are great IMHO...

the feel is good too...

I had a frettless 4...

You can pick them up pretty cheep now I would guess...

 

I played/owned a KSD jazz (proto J). Got a little Marcus Miller vibe to it. Got burned during new years fire.

Reasonable Jazz Bass. No relation with Ken Smith despite the name. No good customer service. Can't say I disliked or liked it especially. It lacks character alittle bit IMHO.

I wouldn't buy it again. There are better options...

just my 2c.

 

They had new models at summer namm. Brooklyn gear is not distributing them anymore. Maybe the customer service will be better now. Sorry, can't remember name of new distributor.

 

The string spacing was a bit wide for me but I thought it has a killer vibe.

 

I dont know much about KSD except whatI have heard, which is generally not positive. I do know that Bass Central will get back to you and are great guys to deal with, and if it does turn out to be garbage, I can almost guarantee they will work with you as long as you stay in touch with them.

 

+1 on Bass Central, the guys are great down there. But you mentioned looking at a Lakland as well. I was able to play both when looking for my jazz 5'er, and went with the Lakland. IMO, Lakland quality was better than the KSD hands down. It will not have the same exact sound, however. If you can't play the Lakland, they used to have sound clips of their basses on their site. Good hunting!

 

I have a KSD 605 that I got on trade that I've been using as my main bass for almost a year now.

I'm going to be installing an Audere preamp on it soon for a little more tone shaping.

Not a bad bass for the money though. I'm intrigued about new models showing up at NAMM though!!

 

My old one..

short clip playing it before I sold it...

 

+10000......... Buy something other.

 

I have a 705. Love the feel and spacing. I'm sure some people have had bad experiences with some of them. But so far one month in, I like mine. Installed a Audere JZ3D and added to the sound. Most foriegn basses are hit and miss. I had a bad experience with a Fender Jazz 24 V. But I wouldn't say that's all of them. Go with you gut feeling and what feels and sounds good to you. For the price, IMO very good bass. In others opinion, might be different. I like mine a lot!