• 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

#541
Jeff Sarsippius said:
Hi.

After you said they dropped the price $400 means:

1. Scary they sell stuff they don’t know the condition of;

2. They tried to pull a fast one, hoping someone would buy first and deal with it later, or just not know (big music store bad habit).

I say like a few kind folk have already said: neck trouble is a dealbreaker. No way it’s worth buying if that rod only has a few/couple of turns left...headaches at 2k? No way.
Click to expand...


I am with you. I did a lot of thinking yesterday and i decided to pass on that deal. Its too risky.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Sarsippius, TolerancEJ and deepender
#543
Jeff Sarsippius said:
Hi.

After you said they dropped the price $400 means:

1. Scary they sell stuff they don’t know the condition of;

2. They tried to pull a fast one, hoping someone would buy first and deal with it later, or just not know (big music store bad habit).

I say like a few kind folk have already said: neck trouble is a dealbreaker. No way it’s worth buying if that rod only has a few/couple of turns left...headaches at 2k? No way.
Click to expand...

Probably neither of that. If they had the bass priced at $2499, the probably have $1200 into the bass.

I don't understand the use of "warped" though. If there is a lot of relief that is one thing, and a quick truss rod tweak will tell you if that is a problem or not. Also, it depends on what kind of string are on it. If you really want to see if it will set up to your taste, buy a set of strings and have them install them, then adjust the action.

If the neck is twisted however - just walk away.

Fwiw, $2K for a bolt-on Smith is a good deal but not earth-shattering. Ignore what they sell for new - look at TB classifieds. Bolt-ons command much less than neck-thru.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Sarsippius and deepender
#544
I check the bass again and its not warp is bowed from the 5th all the way to the 22nd fret. The trusses rod its adjusted perfectly that when you press the 12th and the 1st the strings sits perfectly on top of the strings enough that you can tap the strings. Why then the truss rod seems set right but it has a big bow, and with the saddles are all the way down
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: deepender
#545
nostatic said:
Probably neither of that. If they had the bass priced at $2499, the probably have $1200 into the bass.

I don't understand the use of "warped" though. If there is a lot of relief that is one thing, and a quick truss rod tweak will tell you if that is a problem or not. Also, it depends on what kind of string are on it. If you really want to see if it will set up to your taste, buy a set of strings and have them install them, then adjust the action.

If the neck is twisted however - just walk away.

Fwiw, $2K for a bolt-on Smith is a good deal but not earth-shattering. Ignore what they sell for new - look at TB classifieds. Bolt-ons command much less than neck-thru.
Click to expand...


I tell you that i am not loosing any sleep because I just bought a new white tiger 5 however if this is a fixable bass and i can get it at about $1500 i am pulling the trigger. But being GC that ain’t going to happen. I have until tonight to decide
 
  • Like
Reactions: deepender
#546
otto B said:
I check the bass again and its not warp is bowed from the 5th all the way to the 22nd fret. The trusses rod its adjusted that when you press the 12th and the 1st the strings sits perfectly on top of the strings enough that you can tap the strings. Why then the truss rod seems set right but it has a big bow. The saddles are all the way down?
Click to expand...

That isn't how I measure relief. I press at the 1st fret and the 24th fret, then see how much space you have around the 7th fret.

You can check the saddles as well, but typically I'd get the truss rod adjustment to set the neck with just a bit of relief, then saddles are to match the radius of the neck and string height over pickups. Smiths have the extra option of adjusting the height of each pickup magnet to balance string response.

But also depends on the string tension. I typically use .28-.120 or .30-.120 6-string sets, and they have less tension than heavier strings, so I typically end up adjusting my truss rod a bit looser to compensate. Changing strings can change the relief significantly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: deepender and Reedt2000
#547
nostatic said:
That isn't how I measure relief. I press at the 1st fret and the 24th fret, then see how much space you have around the 7th fret.

You can check the saddles as well, but typically I'd get the truss rod adjustment to set the neck with just a bit of relief, then saddles are to match the radius of the neck and string height over pickups. Smiths have the extra option of adjusting the height of each pickup magnet to balance string response.

But also depends on the string tension. I typically use .28-.120 or .30-.120 6-string sets, and they have less tension than heavier strings, so I typically end up adjusting my truss rod a bit looser to compensate. Changing strings can change the relief significantly.
Click to expand...


I always thought it was from the 1st to the 12th. Awesome info i will go back and check it again
 
  • Like
Reactions: deepender and Reedt2000
#548
otto B said:
I always thought it was from the 1st to the 12th. Awesome info i will go back and check it again
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure to order that bass new is 5k, maybe a little more. I've seen them go used for 3k or more. If this is just a matter of GC doesn't know what they're doing or bother to make standard adjustments to used stock you could make out really well. If I hadn't recently picked up a KS I'd have that one sent to me, again with the return policy you can't get hurt.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassmike2010 and deepender
#549
Here's mine out on a small gig last night
PhotoEditor_20190714_145105713.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: caasi91, bassmike2010, deepender and 1 other person
#553
Well i end up not getting the bass. I when back today to see if i get a better offer so i can take it with me but surprise they changed their discount on me, yesterday they told me $400 off and today they only wanted to give me $250. I told them that I was flying tonight and I was going to take it with me and they just told me they will discount it in 90 days. I wasn’t going to play that game.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassmike2010, ped and deepender
#554
otto B said:
Well i end up not getting the bass. I when back today to see if i get a better offer so i can take it with me but surprise they changed their discount on me, yesterday they told me $400 off and today they only wanted to give me $250. I told them that I was flying tonight and I was going to take it with me and they just told me they will discount it in 90 days. I wasn’t going to play that game.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you dodged a bullet. It wasn’t meant to be. Your ideal bass will appear in time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: deepender
#556
ped said:
Whilst I’m here, has anyone tried flats on a smith?! I’ve got a couple of sets of Cobalt flats and really like them on my P bass - thought it might be fun to try them. I’m all about the ‘plink’ of a round wound on a smith bass but the Cobalts are surprisingly bright and I like the feel too.
Click to expand...
Remember, if you are going from taper wound (like your original set) to non-tapered, you're going to need a bridge adjustment.

I haven't tried flats on my Smith, but I can guess that without the tapers and without the regular windings, some of that signature "Smith" sound is going to be missing.

But it's all about trying to get that sound that you hear in your head; so go for it and let us know how it turns out.
 
#557
ped said:
Whilst I’m here, has anyone tried flats on a smith?! I’ve got a couple of sets of Cobalt flats and really like them on my P bass - thought it might be fun to try them. I’m all about the ‘plink’ of a round wound on a smith bass but the Cobalts are surprisingly bright and I like the feel too.
Click to expand...
I've only tried it once with a (no longer mine) Smith 5 fretless. Low tension NS710 D'Addarios made specifically for NS EUB. Great sound & feel. However I wouldn't put flats on a fretted Smith as it'll suck away everything that is unique about Smith, regardless how good it sounds.

Side note. How could you sell that BT5 without letting me know... I once told you "if you ever... never mind", remember? ;)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: deepender and bassmike2010
#558
Nenor said:
I've only tried it once with a (no longer mine) Smith 5 fretless. Low tension NS710 D'Addarios made specifically for NS EUB. Great sound & feel. However I wouldn't put flats on a fretted Smith as it'll suck away everything that is unique about Smith, regardless how good it sounds.

Side note. How could you sell that BT5 without letting me know... I once told you "if you ever... never mind", remember? ;)
Click to expand...

Really sorry, I must have completely forgotten that. In the end a local sale was made within 24hrs! Apologies again...
 
  • Like
Reactions: deepender and Ronen

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back