Olinto P bass vs Ken Smith

[otto B]

most “contemporary” music I hear for the last 25 years has a decidedly old school aesthetic in the bass department. Imho the Ken Smith era officially ended January 25, 2000, the day Voodoo came out….

You know I have seen the same thing. Folks are tending to play Jazz bass more than a KS. One thing I have noticed that most bass players on most concerts play P bass

 

[NickyBass]

We play the same music as you guys. I did try mike lull at one point. It was a great bass but it didn’t came through as I wanted. Like some one mentioned before it also depends on the sound engineer.

My worship leader is a big fan of low end, so I'm very loud in the mix. It's an ideal situation. One thing I like about the Lull is the B string. It's one of the best I've played.
But, sometimes it's tough with engineers, especially when they are volunteer.
We are on in ears, so I can clearly hear what's going on. Every once in a while, I will ask them to take off all the presets on the bass channel and start over. It seems like things get added and saved over time on the mix.
It got to the point on the Moog channel that there were so many filters that I couldn't do any sweeps. It just didn't come through.

I've never played an Olinto, but I have played a number of Ken Smith basses. They've all been nice.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I am looking to buy another bass, and it has come to either a Olinto P bass or Ken Smith. Yes they are different in sound however I am looking for a bass that cuts through the mix and this two basses has come to my attention. I had onwed some KS basses in the pass and they are great, but I have not yet played a P bass. I would like to hear opinions on both. I play contemporary music at my Church.

Never played a P-bass but has owned a Ken Smith? You Sir, are approaching TB unicorn status!

 

[pepj]

Those two basses are way different gigs, imv so if you dont know why you want one or another...and sitting in the mix is only half an answer anyway, imv, then get the P.
This is because the P can cover way more gigs than the Smith can.

I do pretty mainstream gigs ...but more varied than most around here, and there are some gigs that just can't have a Smith on it.

One of the reasons I have settled on my 3 go-to's is because I listened very closely to recorded songs and could identify which bass didn't work...even though I was loving playing them at the time.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

As others have mentioned, both those basses are very different. The one thing that they will have in common is that they are both superb and high quality basses, so I don't think you would have to worry much about getting a really nice bass.

Then it would come down to feel, aesthetics and sound.

Personally, I would go with an Olinto P, but I would consider getting it as a PJ. While you won't get a true Jazz sound out of it, you will get added versatility. You'll still get some of the J/two pickup mid scoop when running both pickups, but there will be more midrange character with the PJ configuration.

The thing with P/J's is that they don't always sound great soloed, but they tend to work in a mix.

 

[otto B]

Never played a P-bass but has owned a Ken Smith? You Sir, are approaching TB unicorn status!

What’s the TB unicorn status?

 

[scubaduba]

Bethel, Elevation, Phil Wickham? Yes, the P Bass or Ken Smith working the neck pickup only. Either will be fine.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

What’s the TB unicorn status?

That’s just my way of saying that a bassist who has owned a Ken Smith, but has never played Precision is pretty rare.

 

[otto B]

That’s just my way of saying that a bassist who has owned a Ken Smith, but has never played Precision is pretty rare.

Got it, yep that’s is me. I have played over 26 years and I have never owned or played a P bass

 

[Lackey]

This can't possibly be a real post... you are comparing two diametrically opposed albeit expensive instruments, and you have never played a P bass???

 

[pbass2]

In peak TB fashion, I'll suggest a different bass from either of those: a Sadowsky PJ5. You can run it active and do the modern stuff, would work great for gospel, neo soul, any of that vibe. Then turn around and run it passive, only use the P pickup, and boom--sounds like a P in a mix(because, well, it is effectively a passive P in that setting). Get one with the VTC tone control. I use mine for gigs and recording where I need both modern and vintage tones out of one bass.

 

[prndltech]

We play the same music as you guys. I did try mike lull at one point. It was a great bass but it didn’t came through as I wanted. Like some one mentioned before it also depends on the sound engineer.

There’s definitely a lot of factors that play into it.

Honestly, unless you are getting paid and the person paying you has a preference… get whatever one you like the sound and feel of best. I haven’t had anyone complain whether it’s a mustang with flats or a sadowsky modern 5 with stainless steel strings. Use whatever tool lets you play best, the rest is history.

 

[otto B]

This can't possibly be a real post... you are comparing two diametrically opposed albeit expensive instruments, and you have never played a P bass???

Yes, sir. I have never played a P bass, unless playing one at a guitar center for 1 min counts

 

[otto B]

In peak TB fashion, I'll suggest a different bass from either of those: a Sadowsky PJ5. You can run it active and do the modern stuff, would work great for gospel, neo soul, any of that vibe. Then turn around and run it passive, only use the P pickup, and boom--sounds like a P in a mix(because, well, it is effectively a passive P in that setting). Get one with the VTC tone control. I use mine for gigs and recording where I need both modern and vintage tones out of one bass.

That’s a good advice, I will check it out

 

[otto B]

There’s definitely a lot of factors that play into it.

Honestly, unless you are getting paid and the person paying you has a preference… get whatever one you like the sound and feel of best. I haven’t had anyone complain whether it’s a mustang with flats or a sadowsky modern 5 with stainless steel strings. Use whatever tool lets you play best, the rest is history.

I don’t get paid, I play for joy, I always want a bass that its a perfect fit for playing in the Church and some Church events.

 

[pepj]

Some basses sound great as a soubd in itself. They don't work quite do well in context.
If you are wanting to complementary underpin a band sound, certain basses are your start point....and not all J basses are equal. Some of the better clones ..in terms of playing, don't necessarily cut it soundwise.
It depends how tuned in your ears are to this.
Its like the gtr quandry, Marshall, Vox, Fender. Great sounds in theirselves, but either right or wrong. And thats just the top level view...

I have to say, i really don't get the initial choices. They don't really make much sense, imv, sorry.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Lots of notes, fast playing, jazz fusion and long solos : Ken Smith

Everything else : Onlito p bass

The Onlito is a real gem in every way IMO.

I honestly think this is the best post of this thread. This should be based on your playing style. Either will work, it's just a a matter of what you are after. They do have Ken Smith basses with Jazz pickups. That is something else to consider. Also someone suggested getting an Olinto PJ . IF you are set on one of those 2 builders , you do have options.

 

[Allycat]

They do the thing for sure

 

[Kmrumedy]

For me Olinto stopped being Olinto when Mas Hino left the company.

Originally the only reason to pay those high asking prices was to get a bass made by Mas. Mas was Olinto.

If I were getting an Olinto, it would have to be an older one made by Mas. Years from now, I think "Mas Built Oilnto's" are the ones that will keep or increase in value.

I'm a KS player for 30 years. On the occasions I need a vintage Pbass tone and I only had the Smith.... I simply solo'ed the front pickup and muted the string with my right hand. Does a pretty damn good mimic of a Pbass.

 

[leona1]

OLINTO.