The Ken Smith Club, Part 2

[xnewyorka]

So, I'm joining KS club

Awesome bass - congrats!!
And an unsolicited word of caution: If you generally play with your right wrist bent at a sharp angle like what is shown in that photo, you are going to eventually cause a soft tissue injury if you play a lot. You should try pushing your elbow out forward a little bit to reduce the wrist angle, or change something else in the geometry.

 

[deepender]

Awesome bass - congrats!!
And an unsolicited word of caution: If you generally play with your right wrist bent at a sharp angle like what is shown in that photo, you are going to eventually cause a soft tissue injury if you play a lot. You should try pushing your elbow out forward a little bit to reduce the wrist angle, or change something else in the geometry.

I often move the neck a bit further away to bring the body closer, and moving the elbow out some.

But I confess that I too often have a sharp wrist angle.

 

[xnewyorka]

I often move the neck a bit further away to bring the body closer, and moving the elbow out some.

But I confess that I too often have a sharp wrist angle.

I used to do the same thing. Then I started practicing a lot. Then my arm started hurting so much it got to the point that I spilled my coffee from a sharp forearm pain that happened when I picked up my mug. I ended up not being able to do much with my right arm. Then I saw an orthopedist, and it was months of therapy, stretching, and virtually no playing until I was again able to play without pain. I would just hate to see the same thing happen to someone else.

 

[KoaFodera]

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.

Yes, that was a tough decision parting with this beauty but a customer called me up and true to his word 20 years ago, offered me 1st dibs on buying back this 1989 BT6 I sold him. Thank you Junior. The BSR6EG is going to a very good home. Enjoy Jason!

 

[Reedt2000]

Yes, that was a tough decision parting with this beauty but a customer called me up and true to his word 20 years ago, offered me 1st dibs on buying back this 1989 BT6 I sold him. Thank you Junior. The BSR6EG is going to a very good home. Enjoy Jason!

Dang, that thing's got some punch and growl! Killer tone

 

[TolerancEJ]

Dang, that thing's got some punch and growl! Killer tone

Of course, this was performed by Jason Raso. He’s a phenomenal player in his own right.

 

[albinokiller]

Awesome bass - congrats!!
And an unsolicited word of caution: If you generally play with your right wrist bent at a sharp angle like what is shown in that photo, you are going to eventually cause a soft tissue injury if you play a lot. You should try pushing your elbow out forward a little bit to reduce the wrist angle, or change something else in the geometry.

I know - I have a problem of really big hands and I just cannot play it different than this way...

And I play bass over 20 years and last few years around 120 gigs/year so I think I'm on a safe side

 

[deepender]

I know - I have a problem of really big hands and I just cannot play it different than this way...

And I play bass over 20 years and last few years around 120 gigs/year so I think I'm on a safe side

I'd say those muscles are tuned in to that style pretty well.

 

[deepender]

I'd say those muscles are tuned in to that style pretty well.

Big hands a problem for bass players?

I'm thinking more of an asset.

 

[xnewyorka]

Becoming a member of this club is as easy as 1 2 3.
Or should I say 4 5 6...

 

[deepender]

Looking at your profile, that's quite a collection you've got there.

 

[xnewyorka]

Looking at your profile, that's quite a collection you've got there.

Thanks! Too much, actually. I am working towards narrowing it down to a few select instruments that are very special to me, in alphabetical order:
Fodera, Ken Smith, Kiesel, LeFay, Mayones, Skjold, and Veillette.
The rest should really go to new homes so they can come out of their cases once in a while and be enjoyed doing they were built to do, making beautiful music:
For Sale - Large (but Dwindling) Collection - 28 Basses available, sold individually or as a single lot

 

[deepender]

This morning’s office.

 

[iwearpumas]

I want another one, I want a used BSR5GN. I want Quilted Maple top, and Walnut Core or a Quilted Maple/Mahogany core.

 

[caasi91]

So here’s a noob (slightly embarrassing) question.

After playing my Smith tuned B-G for a decade I want to hear it with a high C.

Would it need a different nut or does this get bypassed at this level?

 

[xnewyorka]

So here’s a noob (slightly embarrassing) question.

After playing my Smith tuned B-G for a decade I want to hear it with a high C.

Would it need a different nut or does this get bypassed at this level?

There is a good chance it will work fine.
The strings will certainly fit since they are smaller. They might be a little loose, but hopefully there will be enough tension to keep them from vibrating side to side and buzzing at the nut. Those nuts are an incredible amount of labor to produce, all hand-filed, and the cost for a new one is $300 if you want Ken to make you a new brass one. I would suggest just trying it and seeing what happens.

 

[Reedt2000]

So here’s a noob (slightly embarrassing) question.

After playing my Smith tuned B-G for a decade I want to hear it with a high C.

Would it need a different nut or does this get bypassed at this level?

I also think the nut will be fine, you may have to tweak the truss rod to account for the lighter tension and redo the intonation (basically it will need a setup). Only way to know how much adjusting you'll need is to try it (you're not gonna hurt anything)

 

[xnewyorka]

So here’s a noob (slightly embarrassing) question.

After playing my Smith tuned B-G for a decade I want to hear it with a high C.

Would it need a different nut or does this get bypassed at this level?

In case it saves you any time, here is an example of how it may sound!

 

[caasi91]

Thanks for the quick replies guys.

And awesome playing Xnewyorka! That sealed it!

 

[xnewyorka]

Thanks for the quick replies guys.

And awesome playing Xnewyorka! That sealed it!

That was not me playing, just a link that I had bookmarked a few months ago because I knew you would be coming here with this question. ;-)

I do play just like that though... In my dreams.

And yes, you will probably want to loosen the truss rod 1/4 turn or so.

If you are already using Ken Smith strings, you can just buy a High C by itself. You can also get full sets or singles from Fodera.

Here is one place you can find strings:
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There is also an even easier way to experience the beauty of a Ken Smith high C without even needing to change your strings at all - just get a Ken Smith 6-string!