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Sorry to be posting so much, I just recently got two amazing BT6s, a 2018 White Tiger and a 2010 Ebony Top Wide Neck Elite. Haven’t had a Smith in 15 years and I’m so happy to be back.
That said, back to the DIP switches, what’s everyone liking the best? The “old” setting or the “new”? My 2018 WT I have setup as it came from the factory and it punches like crazy. Last night I changed the DIPs on the Ebony top to the “Old” setting and played a gig this morning. It of course sounded amazing as well. The tonal difference between Basses is naturally different with the Ebony top being “drier” and less upper mid, and the WT being more lively with extended top and bottom. I really play more Worship music, Gospel, and of course I make my living in the Country Music biz. I’ve spent years away from a Smith because Nashville producers gear with their eyes, but since we’ve been doing more remote sessions this year, I’ve been able to sneak things in. The Series mode favoring the Neck pickup and a NordyMute can get a killer Pbass Type tone and is very musical in the mix. Don’t really need 6 strings in Country Music but I do believe the more wood, the more tone....
That said, back to the DIP switches, what’s everyone liking the best? The “old” setting or the “new”? My 2018 WT I have setup as it came from the factory and it punches like crazy. Last night I changed the DIPs on the Ebony top to the “Old” setting and played a gig this morning. It of course sounded amazing as well. The tonal difference between Basses is naturally different with the Ebony top being “drier” and less upper mid, and the WT being more lively with extended top and bottom. I really play more Worship music, Gospel, and of course I make my living in the Country Music biz. I’ve spent years away from a Smith because Nashville producers gear with their eyes, but since we’ve been doing more remote sessions this year, I’ve been able to sneak things in. The Series mode favoring the Neck pickup and a NordyMute can get a killer Pbass Type tone and is very musical in the mix. Don’t really need 6 strings in Country Music but I do believe the more wood, the more tone....
Looks like you're not the only one
Is search of a Smith
Not sure if its the same bass, but pretty sure it was located overseas and is staying there for the time being
Personally, I use the old settings. I’ve been under the impression that each bass preamp is “tuned” at the factory before release, based on the ear of the tech. Mine was originally a mix between old and new settings that I changed to old to tame the treble a bit.Sorry to be posting so much, I just recently got two amazing BT6s, a 2018 White Tiger and a 2010 Ebony Top Wide Neck Elite. Haven’t had a Smith in 15 years and I’m so happy to be back.
That said, back to the DIP switches, what’s everyone liking the best? The “old” setting or the “new”? My 2018 WT I have setup as it came from the factory and it punches like crazy. Last night I changed the DIPs on the Ebony top to the “Old” setting and played a gig this morning. It of course sounded amazing as well. The tonal difference between Basses is naturally different with the Ebony top being “drier” and less upper mid, and the WT being more lively with extended top and bottom. I really play more Worship music, Gospel, and of course I make my living in the Country Music biz. I’ve spent years away from a Smith because Nashville producers gear with their eyes, but since we’ve been doing more remote sessions this year, I’ve been able to sneak things in. The Series mode favoring the Neck pickup and a NordyMute can get a killer Pbass Type tone and is very musical in the mix. Don’t really need 6 strings in Country Music but I do believe the more wood, the more tone....
Smart move, I also did that. If there's anything to improve on a KS, this is it. That, and probably the output jack.
BT has a shorter upper horn and is more symmetrical. The BSR has an extended upper horn and is more... shapely.
Hi guys - I picked up a couple of BSR “Elite” 5 basses (both from 2000) last summer when I decided to get back into five stringers - see attached.
Fretless with Macassar Ebony top and Mahogany core on the left, fretted with Zebrano facings and a Flame Maple core on the right (both strung with high C strings).
I upgraded the fretless with Ken’s “new” BMT circuit with DIP switches (and added Gotoh GB350 tuners while I was at it) and plan to do the same with the fretted in the near future.
My question for the group is whether anyone has experimented with swapping out the two-way Series/Parallel p/u switches with three-way switches to add a single coil option? If so, how complicated was the operation?
Any help/tips/suggestions appreciated.
Cheers!
David
Fretless with Macassar Ebony top and Mahogany core on the left, fretted with Zebrano facings and a Flame Maple core on the right (both strung with high C strings).
I upgraded the fretless with Ken’s “new” BMT circuit with DIP switches (and added Gotoh GB350 tuners while I was at it) and plan to do the same with the fretted in the near future.
My question for the group is whether anyone has experimented with swapping out the two-way Series/Parallel p/u switches with three-way switches to add a single coil option? If so, how complicated was the operation?
Any help/tips/suggestions appreciated.
Cheers!
David
Never mind - I’ve found the answer to my Ken Smith pick-up coil-splitting question (see page 2, fig. 1):
https://www.wdmusic.com/media/images/diagrams/KA_WIRING.pdf
I’ll have my luthier try this wiring (DPDT on/on/on = series/split/parallel) when I add the new BMT circuit to my fretted BSR.
If you find the exact switch brand Ken Smith uses (only on-on-on type) please let us know.
The original two-way DPDT (on/on) is C&K part #7201, the equivalent three-way DPDT (on/on/on) is C&K part #7211.
In case you’re simply being snarky, I’m not afraid to modify a non-vintage instrument if doing so increases it’s overall utility and/or my enjoyment whilst playing it.
Not sure what you mean by "snarky" (not an English native speaker) but I'm totally serious about using the exact brand as the original switches as they're much higher quality than what you find online. I'll look into C&K, Thanks.
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Its just a total different animal then any ken Smith I tried before
I had a cr5m, 95 bt5 and tried several TN and bSR after 2000
This one get me 1994 KS BMT5
I had a cr5m, 95 bt5 and tried several TN and bSR after 2000
This one get me 1994 KS BMT5
I have a 93 Chuck Rainey 5 (pictured in my avatar) and a 95 BT 5 neck through listed for sale.
For Sale - 1995 Ken Smith BT 5
I just like the feel of a heel as opposed to neck through.
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Curious what the percentage of bass players use rounds vs flats is.- Latest: Swamp_Ronin
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