My Experience with the "Ken Smith Tone"

[Gervais Cote]

To me, those Smith basses are among the most versatile ones in the industry. That said though, I could say the same about a USA Lakland 5 string jazz bass although they sound different.

If I was way better than what I am and performing solos, I would seriously consider getting one.

Here is a good example of what I mean by "if I was better" :

 

[jim777]

I got a great deal on a limited 6 from an online store I can't remember, but one that was highly thought of 15 years ago. It was a great bass, very versatile and good looking but I moved it on when I got my STR. The STR was very similar neck wise but I did like the sound better. The Smith wasn't bad at all, the STR was just closer to 'my perfect bass'. Some pics here: Index of /images/Smith/

EDIT: I just checked my link and Chrome says my site is dangerous! It isn't, and it is https as well. I'll put a shot of it here.

 

[socknroll1]

2-pickup bass with a few knobs = many tones available. It's a fact.

 

[pb9717]

I totally understand! I have a Sadowsky NYC Modern and it really took some getting used to on my part as its clarity is pretty unforgiving. Awesome tone though so it makes me more aware of my approach.

Ironically, I sound MORE articulate on the Sadowsky, than say, an MTD USA. I find those to be so merciless on poor technique that I avoid them. But the Smith is a fantastic bass for most any style. It just offers a clarity not usually found in less well designed basses.

 

[jim777]

I got a great deal on a limited 6 from an **online store I can't remember, but one that was highly thought of 15 years ago. It was a great bass, very versatile and good looking but I moved it on when I got my STR. The STR was very similar neck wise but I did like the sound better. The Smith wasn't bad at all, the STR was just closer to 'my perfect bass'. Some pics here: Index of /images/Smith/

EDIT: I just checked my link and Chrome says my site is dangerous! It isn't, and it is https as well. I'll put a shot of it here.

**I got it from Luthiers Access Group, which was a wonderful experience

 

[Avezzano]

I imagine I would never have the actual spare money to spend on a more modern and "proper" Ken Smith. But in the meantime, I play with ENORMOUS satisfaction my '95 bolt-on Burner five string. It was black, I stripped it and hand rubbed with some shellac. It is basically a superb tone bass anywhere you select the pickup pan pot. The treble and bass controls are really effective and the tone that comes out is... always juicy!!! Honestly, if I had to order one, I would have a Ken Smith with the old style body like mine, 18 mm spacing and not very much different from mine. Possibly bolt-on like mine, with excellent woods and the soapbar hb pickups.

 

[Nenor]

I imagine I would never have the actual spare money to spend on a more modern and "proper" Ken Smith. But in the meantime, I play with ENORMOUS satisfaction my '95 bolt-on Burner five string. It was black, I stripped it and hand rubbed with some shellac. It is basically a superb tone bass anywhere you select the pickup pan pot. The treble and bass controls are really effective and the tone that comes out is... always juicy!!! Honestly, if I had to order one, I would have a Ken Smith with the old style body like mine, 18 mm spacing and not very much different from mine. Possibly bolt-on like mine, with excellent woods and the soapbar hb pickups.

View attachment 7139045

That's interesting. Was it solid black? Because solid colors were used on standard models with alder bodies while this seem to be maple.

 

[Avezzano]

That's interesting. Was it solid black? Because solid colors were used on standard models with alder bodies while this seem to be maple.

It was solid black because once I stripped it, I've found under the controls body curve part a wooden "patch" made with some white wood. Horrible. I had to take that off and put another similar wood. Once stained and hand rubbed, you have to go there with the magnifier lens to detect it.

 

[Nenor]

It was solid black because once I stripped it, I've found under the controls body curve part a wooden "patch" made with some white wood. Horrible. I had to take that off and put another similar wood. Once stained and hand rubbed, you have to go there with the magnifier lens to detect it.

So the body is maple and you did some work on a specific area were a different wood was used, or you topped the entire body with maple? It should have been alder... the original body. Reason I ask is that I own a Std red 4 and thought about stripping it off. Now I'm hesitating.

 

[Avezzano]

So the body is maple and you did some work on a specific area were a different wood was used, or you topped the entire body with maple? It should have been alder... the original body. Reason I ask is that I own a Std red 4 and thought about stripping it off. Now I'm hesitating.

No: the body is exactly as you see it. Honestly I have no idea which wood that is! I just hand rubbed it with some shellac to seal it, maybe it is a bit darker than the virgin-naked wood. I will show you the area that I needed to replace here below: it was basically white (pine or other) so I HAD to replace it... note on the previous picture the tuners that completely lost the black painting with time... but they work just fine, I won't touch them.

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[bobfarabaugh]

I had an 80’s NY model. I don’t remember model name and Ken blew me off when I asked him about it. I couldn’t get the “Smith sound” out of it however it sounded fantastic and very versatile. I had a CR6 also it had the “Smth sound”. Just too many strings for me. I really want a white Burner someday.

 

[Flaked Beans]

people talking about p basses in a ken smith thread. wow!

 

[Nenor]

No: the body is exactly as you see it. Honestly I have no idea which wood that is! I just hand rubbed it with some shellac to seal it, maybe it is a bit darker than the virgin-naked wood. I will show you the area that I needed to replace here below: it was basically white (pine or other) so I HAD to replace it... note on the previous picture the tuners that completely lost the black painting with time... but they work just fine, I won't touch them.

Looks like maple. Definitely not alder. What year is it?

 

[Avezzano]

Looks like maple. Definitely not alder. What year is it?

Serial is 915 745 so it should be may '91 I guess... Another strange thing is that while the pickup pan pot and the treble control pot have the center detent, the bass pot does NOT! I suspect that the bass control somehow is not original. I keep it always full steam, anyway. And the bass sounds creamy, round and full. I love it... Anybody having a Burner maybe can confirm this...

 

[Andy V.]

So the body is maple and you did some work on a specific area were a different wood was used, or you topped the entire body with maple? It should have been alder... the original body. Reason I ask is that I own a Std red 4 and thought about stripping it off. Now I'm hesitating.

It's been 20 years since I sold my burner deluxe and now I'm on the verge of buying a onyx burner 5, and this got me thinking as well.

Anyways, trying to get the convo going, I'm attaching an excerpt from the burner brochure back in the 90s.

 

[AngelCrusher]

Had a CR5GMW, ( Chuck Rainey 5, Graphite Bar rods, maple/walnut) for a decade from 95 to 2005. Eventually sold it after the drummer I did club dates in NYC for 16 years constantly complained about it. He hated it. Kept saying “ Get a jazz bass!” …Finally discovered Sadowskys and never went back. Funny thing was, MY particular US made, high end Chuck Rainey never sounded as good as other Smiths did. Probably why I let it go so easily. Looked just like this one, but with the black face larger headstock..
View attachment 7138849

It’s funny I like both. I just traded a sadowsky nyc for a Ken. I still have another sadowsky though. I just stopped using 4 strings and my NYC was just sitting there.

And also I have always wanted a KS. That GAS increased since playing one at Bass Central close to 10 years ago. I knew at some point I’d have to get one. There is nothing like them.

 

[pb9717]

Interesting. I played a warwick streamer stage 1 in flamed maple 34 years ago. After all this time I finally got one. And its sounds and plays just as good as I remember. My Sadowsky sounds downright pedestrian next to the warwick. And Its NOT heavy. Which is very rare for a neck thru streamer. The Right Ken Smith can be incredible, but my ol’ drummer buddy still hates em’….LOL.