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Smith or Spector

Spector or Ken Smith

  • Spector

    Votes: 96 47.5%

  • Ken Smith

    Votes: 106 52.5%
  • Total voters
    202
#21
NKUSigEp said:
the Euro/NSRFM line is quite possibly the best value in the world of bass).
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never a truer word spoken! My Euro 5 feels,looks and plays like it should cost way way more than it did.

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not so sure about growl though. I always associated Warwicks with growl.the Spector sound more hi-fi to my ears,hard in the top end and big in the bottom end. the tonepump circuit on the Euro is pretty fierce

dont know anything about the Smiths

Komp
 
#23
-Ju- said:
Hello

I am looking for a growly bass with a lot of mids, a good B, very punchy with a good slap sound!
I am used to playing funk and rock.
What would you choose between a Smith Black Tiger 6 and a Spector NS6?

Do the Smith 6 owners find it comfortable to slap?
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Both are very nice basses with their own ups, downs, quirks, and voices. Play both and then decide! If necessary, buy both and sell/return the one you like less.
 
#25
Based on your request, I would have to say Smith all the way. I recently bought a Spector Euro 5LX and sold it two weeks later, I just couldn't get used to the "cold" EMG sound after years of Bartolinis. It wasn't bad, but the tops were pretty harsh and the overall sound wasn't very versatile or suitable for funk playing, IMHO.

Cheers,

EG
 
#26
I'm lucky enough to own both a Smith CR4 and a Spector NSCRFM. Completely different animals. Both are great basses, but if you're really looking for midtone growl and a great slap tone I have to favor the Smith. Note that I do think that Spectors have one of the greatest slap tones I've ever heard - punchy, tight, and focused - and if you're basing it on slap tone alone I'd say go with the Spector. But they also have a more hi fi sound than Smiths, due to the preamp and the EMGs, and I think overall Smiths can cover more ground and they sound more organic to my ears.
 
#27
I have owned both USA SSD five string and a Ken Smith six bolt-on. Both were really great basses! The Spector was very bright and snappy, it has a scooped sound sort of like an MTD. The Ken Smith has much stronger mids and is more punchy. YMMV, I voted for the Smith, but I can't see one going wrong with either choice.:bassist:
 
#29
evilgus said:
Based on your request, I would have to say Smith all the way. I recently bought a Spector Euro 5LX and sold it two weeks later, I just couldn't get used to the "cold" EMG sound after years of Bartolinis. It wasn't bad, but the tops were pretty harsh and the overall sound wasn't very versatile or suitable for funk playing, IMHO.

Cheers,

EG
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Harsh top-end? Did you know there's a frequency selector under the control panel that allows you to change the frequency of the treble knob? :confused:
 
#31
smoothjazz said:
Personally I would choose a KSD over a spector anyday but the service from Brooklyn Gear in terms of supply and new stock has not been very good. It is self evident from the number of bass guitarist complaining about spares, poor service and the general lack of stock which is of merchantable quality as the law says her in the United Kingdom. I just hope that they will sort out their act.:help:
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OP is not asking about KSD basses, but REAL Ken Smith Basses. And based on his description of the tone he's looking for I voted for the Smith.
 
#33
I need 19mm on a 6 strings! If I can't get a wide model I would buy a 5 strings.
I would like to get feedbacks from Smith 6 players..

Do you think that Smith could be good to play rock?
 
#34
-Ju- said:
I need 19mm on a 6 strings! If I can't get a wide model I would buy a 5 strings.
I would like to get feedbacks from Smith 6 players..

Do you think that Smith could be good to play rock?
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Unless you order it custom the BSRG Elite is the only model that comes with standard 19mm spacing but thats on a 5. A 19mm 6 might still be a custom order. You can play rock with any bass you want. :hyper:
 
#35
T-MOST said:
Unless you order it custom the BSRG Elite is the only model that comes with standard 19mm spacing but thats on a 5. A 19mm 6 might still be a custom order. You can play rock with any bass you want. :hyper:
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The 19mm spacing is an option and not standard on any model. It is available on all of our neck-thru 5 and 6 models as an up-charged option.
 
#37
NKUSigEp said:
Harsh top-end? Did you know there's a frequency selector under the control panel that allows you to change the frequency of the treble knob? :confused:
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That would only be if you replaced the Tone Pump with an EMG circuit, right? I immediately ripped the Tone Pump out of mine and fitted a Seymour Duncan circuit, which improved it a lot, but I still far preferred the top-end sound I get out of my MTD and Tobias Classic, so I sold it to someone who plays metal. They are LOVING it. :)

Who knows, I might buy another one (Euro) some day, they *are* great value for money!

EG
 
#39
evilgus said:
That would only be if you replaced the Tone Pump with an EMG circuit, right? I immediately ripped the Tone Pump out of mine and fitted a Seymour Duncan circuit, which improved it a lot, but I still far preferred the top-end sound I get out of my MTD and Tobias Classic, so I sold it to someone who plays metal. They are LOVING it. :)

Who knows, I might buy another one (Euro) some day, they *are* great value for money!

EG
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Ohhhhh you had the newer Euro...I have the older model with the stock EMG pre in it. BIG difference from what I'm told but I've never A/B'ed the two.
 

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