The Ken Smith Club, Part 2

[Nenor]

Ok, i had a chance to gig the bass on yesterday. "NOTHING", in active mode. Erik, i tried to fix you suggested. So I'm believing it's the preamp. So I'm going to reach out to Ken to see what we can do.
One question, 9v or his new 18v system. I run this bass flat, no tweaking,and it gives me all the Smith tone for days. Thanks for the advice guys.

18V will give just a bit more headroom and longer battery life. It takes more space so this may be a problem. I would stay with 9V.

BTW, I would check the battery connector - the piece that is attached to the battery, the wires in it, just to rule this out.

 

[deepender]

I recently watched a posting of my Smith being used amongst a VERY busy mix, with loud piano, keys, drums, lead electric guitar, acoustic guitar and background tracks.

I know I don't need to tell you, the trademark "Smith Sound" came through nicely and would not be denied.

I would post the video, but some here have expressed that they don't appreciate church music here.

I can live with that.

 

[kazamamaster]

I recently watched a posting of my Smith being used amongst a VERY busy mix, with loud piano, keys, drums, lead electric guitar, acoustic guitar and background tracks.

I know I don't need to tell you, the trademark "Smith Sound" came through nicely and would not be denied.

I would post the video, but some here have expressed that they don't appreciate church music here.

I can live with that.

Huh? I've seen "church music" videos posted here plenty recently.............

 

[Bassworship1]

I recently watched a posting of my Smith being used amongst a VERY busy mix, with loud piano, keys, drums, lead electric guitar, acoustic guitar and background tracks.

I know I don't need to tell you, the trademark "Smith Sound" came through nicely and would not be denied.

I would post the video, but some here have expressed that they don't appreciate church music here.

I can live with that.

Post the video so we can hear it. If there is some that don't want to listen they don't have to lol.

 

[Reedt2000]

Post the video so we can hear it. If there is some that don't want to listen they don't have to lol.

This ^

 

[deepender]

Huh? I've seen "church music" videos posted here plenty recently.............

I probably have this forum confused with another Ken Smith forum.
I had posted a couple of videos, and got a reply from one member saying "Pls stahp".

Must not have been this forum.

 

[deepender]

Post the video so we can hear it. If there is some that don't want to listen they don't have to lol.

Thanks brother.

You probably have already seen this one.

 

[deepender]

This ^

Thank you.

Admittedly, I am nowhere near the talent level of some here, but in my defense, this type of music (thankfully) doesn't require a lot of flash. In fact, if the bass gets too busy, it draws too much attention and takes away from the message and the effect of the songs.

For your consideration:


Normally, the bass is buried under all of the business in the mix, but the Smith comes through.

Be kind...

 

[deepender]

I just got another one with the Smith.

 

[albinokiller]

So, I'm joining KS club

 

[deepender]

Celebration of life.

Used my Smith.

 

[Drocdbase]

OK, I posted a very post back concerning my preamp, tried everything that was suggested here and then some. I called Ken and he said to send the bass to him and at the last minute he said just pull the preamp out and send that. Well now I take it to my tech to unplug the pre and he wanted to look at it. Mind you, his assistant and I just open a 4 pk of Duracell batteries and they didn't work and I mean all four didn't. My tech unplug the pre and put his trusty meter to it and boom, the pre is hot. he grabs a new battery and "BOOM", we're making a joyful noise again. As much as I was digging the passive tone, that active side is "NICE". Great laugh had from everyone, even Ken laugh at that one.

Now here's some even better news, I don't know why this happen to me, but I'm not complaining, yesterday I became the proud owner of a 1989 Smith. The bass is in "great" shape for it's age. I have to contact Ken about a replacement knob (freak accident before I got it, staked knob broke. no biggie) Sounds "fantastic", "feels great" and did I say it looks good for it age. here's some quick picks.

 

[MMiller28]

I recently watched a posting of my Smith being used amongst a VERY busy mix, with loud piano, keys, drums, lead electric guitar, acoustic guitar and background tracks.

I know I don't need to tell you, the trademark "Smith Sound" came through nicely and would not be denied.

I would post the video, but some here have expressed that they don't appreciate church music here.

I can live with that.

Nobody is forcing them to click Play.

 

[deepender]

Nobody is forcing them to click Play.

Good point.

 

[deepender]

OK, I posted a very post back concerning my preamp, tried everything that was suggested here and then some. I called Ken and he said to send the bass to him and at the last minute he said just pull the preamp out and send that. Well now I take it to my tech to unplug the pre and he wanted to look at it. Mind you, his assistant and I just open a 4 pk of Duracell batteries and they didn't work and I mean all four didn't. My tech unplug the pre and put his trusty meter to it and boom, the pre is hot. he grabs a new battery and "BOOM", we're making a joyful noise again. As much as I was digging the passive tone, that active side is "NICE". Great laugh had from everyone, even Ken laugh at that one.

Now here's some even better news, I don't know why this happen to me, but I'm not complaining, yesterday I became the proud owner of a 1989 Smith. The bass is in "great" shape for it's age. I have to contact Ken about a replacement knob (freak accident before I got it, staked knob broke. no biggie) Sounds "fantastic", "feels great" and did I say it looks good for it age. here's some quick picks.

Hey!

Congrats twice!

Real happy for you.

 

[LowB-90]

Idk man these new smiths are just not the same. I am sure glad I own 3 before the transition period over to brubaker. Construction is totally different on them. Head stock looks unoriginal. There’s a 6 string on reverb for $7100 sad thing is it’s being called quilted maple. On a rating I assume this would be a 1a quilted? Be the judge.

 

[Nenor]

Idk man these new smiths are just not the same. I am sure glad I own 3 before the transition period over to brubaker. Construction is totally different on them. Head stock looks unoriginal. There’s a 6 string on reverb for $7100 sad thing is it’s being called quilted maple. On a rating I assume this would be a 1a quilted? Be the judge.

Agreed. The top looks like Avodire. I know I'm being picky but the S logo on the headstock is a bit off center. The Smith website offers now only two models - Elite (EG - maple only) and Tiger Elite (TN - walnut or maple. no WT model anymore). The EG has thick top & back with a thin walnut core, TN is the regular 3-piece body. No GN (meaning other wood options), no bolt-on, no options. Prices increased by almost $1K. It's all reasonable due to the major change the company went through. I assume the feel and sound are still very similar.

 

[caasi91]

The Reverb ad states that the thinner core is a throwback to some early 80s Smiths.

I actually dig that but hope to see older and newer options come eventually.

I’ve always wanted one in any of the translucent colors they made with the stacked knobs.

The anniversary shape should also be a staple.

Also we should be seeing a Brubaker/Smith hybrid coming? Or is this it?

 

[TolerancEJ]

I unexpectedly acquired this spectacular gem, which arrived yesterday. To make absolutely certain the bass would acclimate to my home temperature, I waited until this morning to open it. It was such an agonizing and torturous wait!

Here, we have a Ken Smith BSR6EG with Cocobolo, which I bought from @KoaFodera I only had a couple of minutes to noodle with it this morning before work, unplugged so I wouldn't wake anyone up. It is simply an amazing instrument!

Technically, I'm already in the Ken Smith Club because I bought a Invalid Link Removed. (I must have a thing with acquiring Ken Smith's in December.) Although it goes against my hoarding nature but, I may consider selling my KSD... But maybe that time will come later. It's a fine instrument and it plays/sounds great but I have the real deal now.

 

[deepender]

I unexpectedly acquired this spectacular gem, which arrived yesterday. To make absolutely certain the bass would acclimate to my home temperature, I waited until this morning to open it. It was such an agonizing and torturous wait!

Here, we have a Ken Smith BSR6EG with Cocobolo, which I bought from @KoaFodera I only had a couple of minutes to noodle with it this morning before work, unplugged so I wouldn't wake anyone up. It is simply an amazing instrument!
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Technically, I'm already in the Ken Smith Club because I bought a Invalid Link Removed. (I must have a thing with acquiring Ken Smith's in December.) Although it goes against my hoarding nature but, I may consider selling my KSD... But maybe that time will come later. It's a fine instrument and it plays/sounds great but I have the real deal now.

I can understand.

If I've got two similarly voiced instruments, the one least played will probably go.

Congrats.