• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The Ken Smith Club, Part 2

#421
Reedt2000 said:
I ordered my first Smith today!

I'm pretty excited but it's used & coming from GC so I'm trying to be cautiously optimistic cause I've been burned before. From researching I think it's a BSR5P. Bolt-on, quilted maple 3-piece top and back with a dark core that is most likely mahogany? Headstock has a quilted maple overlay and there are no mini toggle switches. It has some playing wear but the guy at GC claims it has it's original electronics and there are no structural issues. I should have done a screen grab so I could post a pic. I've always wanted one and I've got a Warwick SSI 5 I've been thinking about selling so when this one showed up I decided to take a shot (the 45 day return policy means I can't get burned and 6 months no interest gives me a chance to shift the Warwick :D)

I'll put up pics when it gets here :hyper:
Click to expand...
Congrats on your Smith. Nice!

You might want to try to hold onto the Warwick.

They are completely different animals, and although you will love the Smith, you might wish you could switch off to the Warwick some time.

Yeah, I understand money issues and all... Too well... But I hate to hear of someone selling a nice bass to finance another nice bass.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: TolerancEJ and Reedt2000
#422
Reedt2000 said:
Ok, so here it is. It's a 1998 BSR5P. It has been played and it doesn't look like the finish was cared for. There are divots in the top by the PUs and some wear through the finish from an arm. Happily the electronics look tottaly stock. There is an adjustment inside on the mid range knob which I assume is a frequency adjustment? (I haven't messed with It yet). It plays decent as is but new strings and a tweak should improve that.

I see smith makes a wax/polish, anyone have any insight to if that will restore any if the original luster? I realize of course it won't replace thin or missing finish, just wondering if it will shine a little more.

It sounds great, I'm taking it out on a gig tonight which will be the first I hear it in a mix. The tuners are no-name and black. As long as I end up keeping it they will get replaced. I've still got 44 days to return if I want but initial impressions are good.

The neck as it is setup now has just the tiniest amount of relief. I'm gonna put the Smith stainless, taper-wound strings on it (love those strings, been putting em on my Warwicks for years) and then adjust accordingly.

This bass has been around the block but I'm happy to have ended up with it. I'll make sure it is well cared for. I was actively looking for a Smith with some wear so I'm not afraid to take it out and gig it.

Oh and it came with AWFUL stickers on the fretboard which I immediately removed then cleaned and conditioned the wood!View attachment 3256270View attachment 3256275 View attachment 3256280 View attachment 3256273 View attachment 3256272 View attachment 3256282 View attachment 3256284 View attachment 3256288 View attachment 3256286 View attachment 3256292 View attachment 3256290 View attachment 3256271
Click to expand...
I was wondering about those stickers. Never seen anything like that on a Smith.

The internal switches control the mid tone. Here is a guide to original settings. This guide I'd for the PAPA preamp, but i believe it is the same as the built-in. You might want to give the original tone a try before making too many changes.

Regarding the pups. Can't see too well in the pic, but I think they might be the original Smith pups. If you want the "Smith sound", which is why most of us spent all the bucks, you ain't gonna get that with other pups. You might want to get set up like it was originally before changing pups.

The polish does help a lot in bringing back the shine, but it won't magically heal damaged finish. But a little character might look nice on your bass.
 
#423
deepender said:
I was wondering about those stickers. Never seen anything like that on a Smith.

The internal switches control the mid tone. Here is a guide to original settings. This guide I'd for the PAPA preamp, but i believe it is the same as the built-in. You might want to give the original tone a try before making too many changes.

Regarding the pups. Can't see too well in the pic, but I think they might be the original Smith pups. If you want the "Smith sound", which is why most of us spent all the bucks, you ain't gonna get that with other pups. You might want to get set up like it was originally before changing pups.

The polish does help a lot in bringing back the shine, but it won't magically heal damaged finish. But a little character might look nice on your bass.
Click to expand...
The stickers were really cheap looking and peeled right off. The pickups say smith on em and I have no reason to believe they aren't stock. I could see that in the original GC listing, I was afraid it would show up with a different preamp or a pile of electrical tape inside the cavity. Thankfully there is no evidence of any mods to the electronics, the PUs & pre are the primary reason I want a Smith and I would never change em. The current strings are pretty dead and they still sound great, I have high hopes for a fresh set of stainless strings.

As for the Warwick it is just the streamer that I've never really connected with and would sell even if I hadn't bought this BSR. It has a clear, balanced tone that is not growly and mid-range-y and has never sat well in a live mix. I've got a corvette fna jazzman 5-string that I love. It's aggressive and has a ton of low-mids, I'll never get rid of that one.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: deepender
#424
Didn't anyone get a Smith for Christmas?

image.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Salahaddin, bootleg, metermech and 7 others
#430
Kirk Bryant said:
View attachment 3271088 View attachment 3271089 View attachment 3271090 View attachment 3271091 View attachment 3271092 View attachment 3271093 Anyone care to educate me on the finer points of this bass and it’s origin and construction.
I’ve had this Burner (Deluxe?) for several years. IIRC, earlier 90’s with Kens sig on bottom or inside of the back cover plate.
Click to expand...


I owned one of those when I lived in Missoula back in the 90's. For some inexplicable reason I sold it... :(
 
  • Like
Reactions: deepender and Kirk Bryant
#434
Thanks ;-)
The bass has the typical Smith sound, it's great.
It can also sound fat with the neck pup and switches

More pictures of the same bass :

45446660445_ebd42f7a24_b.jpg
Ken Smith BSR4 WT by Invalid Link Removed, sur Flickr

44542310850_55e5c254a1_b.jpg
Ken Smith BSR4 WT-4 by Invalid Link Removed, sur Flickr

45446636865_9b89fc5583_b.jpg
Ken Smith BSR4 WT-5 by Invalid Link Removed, sur Flickr

32472393418_03612d7e57_b.jpg
BS6A5943 by Invalid Link Removed, sur Flickr
 
  • Like
Reactions: Swamp_Ronin, Salahaddin, peterpalmieri and 4 others
#437
mysteryclock said:
How would you say it sounds compared to your MTD?
Click to expand...
Although I can't really speak for him or truly make that specific comparison, I think that the Ken Smith sound stands alone.

Before I bought, I listened to a LOT of videos looking for something unique and above the rest. When I stumbled onto this guy, I listened to all of his videos, then to be sure that it wasn't an eq trick, I listened to lots of others who were playing Smiths. It didn't tale me long to start looking for a local dealer that handled Smiths.

To me, the Smith sound stands alone.

 
  • Like
Reactions: bootleg, peterpalmieri, mysteryclock and 2 others
#438
Well fellas Mr.Ken is shifting production over to Kevin Brubakers shop.
This is from the Ken smith Facebook page.

“FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Perkasie, PA.

Ken Smith Basses and Kevin Brubaker (Founder of Brubaker Guitars) are proud to announce that production of Ken Smith USA basses has been shifted to Brubaker Guitars out of Baltimore, MD.

Ken will, as always, handle the initial wood selection as well all final assembly, inspection and setup.

Both Ken and Kevin are exited about this New arrangement. Ken says, “2019, our 40th year starts a new era of Ken Smith Basses!."

Brubaker began making instruments in 1989. Ken Smith Basses launched its first bass 1979, a decade prior.

Both companies have built instruments that have been used all over the world.

Later this year there will be an announced Smith-Baker Hybrid Model. Stayed tuned for further updates.”
 
  • Like
Reactions: deepender, TolerancEJ and caasi91
#439
Wow, that’s kinda random.

I thought Ken always said “Too many cooks in the kitchen” when it came to collabs when asked in his forums.

He actually said he wouldn’t make a single cut either because it’s a bad design...

I’m personally looking forward to it. My Smith has been my #1 for almost a decade.
 
  • Like
Reactions: deepender
#440
caasi91 said:
Wow, that’s kinda random.

I thought Ken always said “Too many cooks in the kitchen” when it came to collabs when asked in his forums.

He actually said he wouldn’t make a single cut either because it’s a bad design...

I’m personally looking forward to it. My Smith has been my #1 for almost a decade.
Click to expand...


I am really hoping for different options such as a maple fingerboard, different pre and pickup options.
 
  • Like
Reactions: deepender and iwearpumas

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back