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The Ken Smith Club, Part 2

#702
Hey everyone! I'm the proud owner of a 2018 White Tiger (pics below) and I have a setup question. I've read the posts on the old Smith forum and I've followed Ken's advice of 1/16th inch of neck relief at the 8th fret when holding down the first and 15th frets. He also refers to it as a G or D string's worth of relief under the same circumstances. I'm fine with that part, but what's puzzling me is that the only way I get that clean, signature Smith tone is if I raise my action to 7/64ths on the E to G strings and 1/8th " on the B string and that just seems too high to me based on the reputation that these basses have for low action. I'd like to think that I have a medium light touch and I'm wondering if this is just how these basses are meant to be setup or if I'm doing something wrong.

There's one guy on that forum who is claiming 3/64ths at the G string and 4/64th at the B. I can't even get within striking range of those settings with my Smith. I'm wondering if I can get any advice from fellow Smith owners? Also, can you possibly reply with your neck relief and action numbers?

Thanks! Mike

Here's my Smith White Tiger!

upload_2020-11-1_9-40-55.png


Photo from the place I purchased from:

upload_2020-11-1_9-43-14.png
 
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#703
npbassman said:
Hey everyone! I'm the proud owner of a 2018 White Tiger (pics below) and I have a setup question. I've read the posts on the old Smith forum and I've followed Ken's advice of 1/16th inch of neck relief at the 8th fret when holding down the first and 15th frets. He also refers to it as a G or D string's worth of relief under the same circumstances. I'm fine with that part, but what's puzzling me is that the only way I get that clean, signature Smith tone is if I raise my action to 7/64ths on the E to G strings and 1/8th " on the B string and that just seems too high to me based on the reputation that these basses have for low action. I'd like to think that I have a medium light touch and I'm wondering if this is just how these basses are meant to be setup or if I'm doing something wrong.

There's one guy on that forum who is claiming 3/64ths at the G string and 4/64th at the B. I can't even get within striking range of those settings with my Smith. I'm wondering if I can get any advice from fellow Smith owners? Also, can you possibly reply with your neck relief and action numbers?

Thanks! Mike

Here's my Smith White Tiger!

View attachment 4038224

Photo from the place I purchased from:

View attachment 4038225
Click to expand...
Often you need to strike a balance between the pups clearance, string clearance, relief AND dip switches to get where you want to be.

Often, people forget the duo switches, which can make a BIG difference.
 
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#704
Finally swapped the cheap black tuners on my 98' BSR5P. I didn't get originals, but a nice set of used Gotoh tuners that match the wear on the bass. Even though its been well used, this bass is a beast! It setup great, the neck has been crazy stable (and its pretty thin), and it sounds amazing :thumbsup:

Polish_20201107_114415476.jpg
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Here are some before pics from the original GC listing. It's quite a different bass these days :D

shopping.jpeg

Screenshot_20181215-205701.jpg
Screenshot_20181215-205642.jpg
 
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#705
Reedt2000 said:
Finally swapped the cheap black tuners on my 98' BSR5P. I didn't get originals, but a nice set of used Gotoh tuners that match the wear on the bass. Even though its been well used, this bass is a beast! It setup great, the neck has been crazy stable (and its pretty thin), and it sounds amazing :thumbsup:

View attachment 4044463 View attachment 4044464 View attachment 4044465 View attachment 4044466

Here are some before pics from the original GC listing. It's quite a different bass these days :D

View attachment 4044468
View attachment 4044470 View attachment 4044471
Click to expand...
Looks like you brought it a bit closer to the original condition.

Nice job.
 
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#706
deepender said:
Looks like you brought it a bit closer to the original condition.

Nice job.
Click to expand...
Thanks!

I'm actually happy that it has cosmetic wear (the neck is beautiful and the electronics all original). If it was mint, and I paid full price, I think I'd be too scared to gig it. This way I rolled the dice a little, but it paid off in a big way :thumbsup:
 
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#708
Reedt2000 said:
Finally swapped the cheap black tuners on my 98' BSR5P. I didn't get originals, but a nice set of used Gotoh tuners that match the wear on the bass. Even though its been well used, this bass is a beast! It setup great, the neck has been crazy stable (and its pretty thin), and it sounds amazing :thumbsup:

View attachment 4044463 View attachment 4044464 View attachment 4044465 View attachment 4044466

Here are some before pics from the original GC listing. It's quite a different bass these days :D

View attachment 4044468
View attachment 4044470 View attachment 4044471
Click to expand...
Beautiful find!! I love worn Smith basses. I'm sure it got that wear for a good reason! Welcome to the club.
 
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#712
BBD10E63-21E3-427E-91B8-D7268F6765A8.jpeg
15591491-6560-4307-BB1F-AFDAD2E865DB.jpeg
70AC84A4-DA35-469A-8D00-2B757FC4D501.jpeg
Probably one of the more plain Smiths you will see, I’ve had this since new in 97. It was my main player from around 2005 to 2015. The last 5 years it has hardly been touched due to a change in the style of gigs not needing fretless and I do have some other great basses. On a whim this morning I grabbed it for church. I had honestly forgotten how great it sounds and feels. So comfortable and smooth.
 
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#714
Px2 said:
View attachment 4063084 View attachment 4063086 View attachment 4063087 Probably one of the more plain Smiths you will see, I’ve had this since new in 97. It was my main player from around 2005 to 2015. The last 5 years it has hardly been touched due to a change in the style of gigs not needing fretless and I do have some other great basses. On a whim this morning I grabbed it for church. I had honestly forgotten how great it sounds and feels. So comfortable and smooth.
Click to expand...
Beautiful grain and finish.

Plain is in the eye of the beholder.
 
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#716
nooffswitch said:
Sure hoping i can sit w/ you cool kids at the Smith lunch table...
I've spent years trying to get the Smith sound w/ out spending the Smith dollars but alas... found this for a reasonable price and still have my kidneys.

A 1998 BSR5J. Plays awesome...sounds amazing. Hard to believe its 24 years old. View attachment 4073140 View attachment 4073142
Click to expand...
They age well.
 
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