The Ken Smith Club, Part 2

[RealJeffJenkins]

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.
View attachment 4140225
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

 

[L. L. Elwood]

Hey Ken Smith gang, I'm looking to acquire an older Smith BT5, CR5, BT4 or CR4 preferably 1994 or older. Thanks everyone!

 

[Ketbass]

So I bought a BSR 6 fretless a couple of weeks ago on eBay. Great seller and bass was as described condition except for the fretboard has some wear from the rounds he liked to use. Also, they listed it as maple, but it is actually avodire, and I’m actually happier with it as I like that mahogany like tone. I do want to change the strings to some sort of flat wound but I am wondering what the KS super slicks sound like and does anyone know of a slightly heavier gauge than a .028 for the C? I have a Clements Kim 6 fretted and have D’Addario NYXL’s nickels, medium with 32-130 which I prefer. Thanks.

 

[Reedt2000]

So I bought a BSR 6 fretless a couple of weeks ago on eBay. Great seller and bass was as described condition except for the fretboard has some wear from the rounds he liked to use. Also, they listed it as maple, but it is actually avodire, and I’m actually happier with it as I like that mahogany like tone. I do want to change the strings to some sort of flat wound but I am wondering what the KS super slicks sound like and does anyone know of a slightly heavier gauge than a .028 for the C? I have a Clements Kim 6 fretted and have D’Addario NYXL’s nickels, medium with 32-130 which I prefer. Thanks.View attachment 4172332

Nice bass! I can't comment on flats as I'm a rounds guy and I stink on fretless

I do like Smith stainless rounds and just put a 6 string set on a bass. The .028 sounds just fine and is balanced with tone and volume to the other 5 strings.

 

[Ketbass]

Nice bass! I can't comment on flats as I'm a rounds guy and I stink on fretless

I do like Smith stainless rounds and just put a 6 string set on a bass. The .028 sounds just fine and is balanced with tone and volume to the other 5 strings.

Yeah it’s not the tone necessarily as the bass is tuned evenly across the fretboard. I just like the heavier feel of the .032. Even with smaller hands

 

[Yaphet]

So I bought a BSR 6 fretless a couple of weeks ago on eBay. Great seller and bass was as described condition except for the fretboard has some wear from the rounds he liked to use. Also, they listed it as maple, but it is actually avodire, and I’m actually happier with it as I like that mahogany like tone. I do want to change the strings to some sort of flat wound but I am wondering what the KS super slicks sound like and does anyone know of a slightly heavier gauge than a .028 for the C? I have a Clements Kim 6 fretted and have D’Addario NYXL’s nickels, medium with 32-130 which I prefer. Thanks.View attachment 4172332

After many years with rounds on my fretless, I just swapped in a set of TI flats... granted, this is a B-G set, 136-043, but I do think this set works very nicely on this bass. Fresh, this set has a nice defined top-end with smooth, even bass. I think they'll sound good once broken in, too. (photo is pre-string change, btw... fretboard needed some cleaning!)

 

[Ketbass]

After many years with rounds on my fretless, I just swapped in a set of TI flats... granted, this is a B-G set, 136-043, but I do think this set works very nicely on this bass. Fresh, this set has a nice defined top-end with smooth, even bass. I think they'll sound good once broken in, too. (photo is pre-string change, btw... fretboard needed some cleaning!)
View attachment 4172600

That looks like it might be an option. Thanks.Also wondered about the nut slot. I noticed mine is definitely cut for .028 C string. Has anyone refiled this for a heavier option? Looks like the bridge too.

 

[Ketbass]

After many years with rounds on my fretless, I just swapped in a set of TI flats... granted, this is a B-G set, 136-043, but I do think this set works very nicely on this bass. Fresh, this set has a nice defined top-end with smooth, even bass. I think they'll sound good once broken in, too. (photo is pre-string change, btw... fretboard needed some cleaning!)
View attachment 4172600

Cool. I'm really wanting to get rid of the rounds as they just don't feel good on fretless boards not to mention they have an appetite fretboard wood. So, really struggling to find tapered flats; even tapered half rounds. The KS bridge is cut for taper cores and I wondered, has anyone re-cut the bridge for a standard string and did it help with the action?

 

[deepender]

Cool. I'm really wanting to get rid of the rounds as they just don't feel good on fretless boards not to mention they have an appetite fretboard wood. So, really struggling to find tapered flats; even tapered half rounds. The KS bridge is cut for taper cores and I wondered, has anyone re-cut the bridge for a standard string and did it help with the action?

I learned the hard way about rounds eating fretboards.
I’ve got an old Guild Pilot Pro 5 that someone pulled the frets from. They had rounds on them and a badly worn fretboard. I had a Guild expert repair my fretboard, but kept with rounds. It wasn’t long before I had low spots again. After getting the fretboard repaired again, I switched to flats. I miss the rounds, but I can’t keep repairing the fretboard.

 

[Ketbass]

I learned the hard way about rounds eating fretboards.
I’ve got an old Guild Pilot Pro 5 that someone pulled the frets from. They had rounds on them and a badly worn fretboard. I had a Guild expert repair my fretboard, but kept with rounds. It wasn’t long before I had low spots again. After getting the fretboard repaired again, I switched to flats. I miss the rounds, but I can’t keep repairing the fretboard.

Yeah, I wouldn’t miss the rounds at all. The BSR has so much high/mids in the preamp I really don’t need them. Just love the glide feel if flats. I’m thinking the TI flats but choking on the $132.00 price tags. But I guess if I have the board sanded this would be a hell of nice bass. Not that it isn’t right now.

 

[Yaphet]

Cool. I'm really wanting to get rid of the rounds as they just don't feel good on fretless boards not to mention they have an appetite fretboard wood. So, really struggling to find tapered flats; even tapered half rounds. The KS bridge is cut for taper cores and I wondered, has anyone re-cut the bridge for a standard string and did it help with the action?

I did like the sound of rounds on fretless, but I also really like how the bass sounds with the TI flats. My fingerboard has the visual evidence of rounds but hasn't progressed to actual damage that impacts playability or feel. I don't feel like I've sacrificed anything notable in terms of sound (a bit different, but definitely not better or worse to my ears). Feel is vastly improved- soft, slick feel supports dynamic touch/vibrato.

As for tapered flats... I'm not aware of a tapered option. however, I also don't have any issues with strings correctly seating in the saddle, and action is suburb; low, with no buzzing anywhere on the neck.

 

[Ketbass]

I did like the sound of rounds on fretless, but I also really like how the bass sounds with the TI flats. My fingerboard has the visual evidence of rounds but hasn't progressed to actual damage that impacts playability or feel. I don't feel like I've sacrificed anything notable in terms of sound (a bit different, but definitely not better or worse to my ears). Feel is vastly improved- soft, slick feel supports dynamic touch/vibrato.

As for tapered flats... I'm not aware of a tapered option. however, I also don't have any issues with strings correctly seating in the saddle, and action is suburb; low, with no buzzing anywhere on the neck.

Thanks for sharing that. Kind of what I need to know about the action. I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a set of TI flats 32 - 136. A little heavier than what I’m playing but my understanding is they are a little bit more flexible. Fingers crossed.

 

[smoke&wine]

I watched the You Tube Video from Scott's Bass Lessons re:vintage Ken Smith 1984 BT4 bass.



He should get commission because after I watched this (too many times) I had to have similar and was fortunate to find a Ken Smith 1985 BT4. Scott's bass is # 151 and mine is # 243 which means it was made in Pa. not NYC and Vinny Fodera was not involved. However, this bass is beautiful and has same preamp as Scott's. It is fantastic!View attachment 3926773 View attachment 3926774 View attachment 3926775

I do not entirely agree with what you say. If it is true that your bass was made in Pennsylvania ... but it is very likely that Fodera was involved in its construction. Ken took a lot of parts made in N.Y. to Pennsylvania.

 

[BuckeyeBassman]

I do not entirely agree with what you say. If it is true that your bass was made in Pennsylvania ... but it is very likely that Fodera was involved in its construction. Ken took a lot of parts made in N.Y. to Pennsylvania.

Awesome...I was hoping for some input as I saw #241 advertised as having Fodera involved so maybe the same for mine # 243! Thanks for your comment.

 

[smoke&wine]

[QUOTE = "BuckeyeBassman, publicación: 24279135, miembro: 162711"] Vi el video de You Tube de Scott's Bass Lessons re: vintage Ken Smith 1984 BT4 bass.

[MEDIA = youtube] mCSCnb-z19Q [/ MEDIA]

Debería recibir una comisión porque después de ver esto (demasiadas veces) tenía que tener algo similar y tuve la suerte de encontrar un Ken Smith 1985 BT4. El bajo de Scott es el # 151 y el mío es el # 243 lo que significa que fue hecho en Pensilvania, no en Nueva York y Vinny Fodera no estuvo involucrado. Sin embargo, este bajo es hermoso y tiene el mismo preamplificador que el de Scott. ¡Es fantástico! [ATTACH = full] 3926773 [/ ATTACH] [ATTACH = full] 3926774 [/ ATTACH] [ATTACH = full] 3926775 [/ ATTACH] [/ QUOTE]

Este artículo, lo escribí hace un tiempo ...
En él, analizo los años de Ken Smith en Nueva York ... antes de mudarme a Perkasie.

​

[QUOTE = "BuckeyeBassman, publicación: 25013994, miembro: 162711"] Impresionante ... Esperaba recibir algún aporte ya que vi el anuncio # 241 de que Fodera estaba involucrado, ¡así que tal vez lo mismo para el mío # 243! Gracias por tu comentario. [/ QUOTE]


Lea mi artículo ..

 

[smperry]

Hi all,

Just a quick note to say that the previous file posted is fine (I downloaded it myself). I'd repost it here, but all the formatting would disappear.

 

[Erik Turkman]

Does anyone know what the code penciled on the headstock under the truss rod cover means? I’ve noticed this on Smith basses but am not sure what its significance is.

 

[deepender]

I think Ken still has Kens Corner. You might try there.

 

[Ketbass]

I think Ken still has Kens Corner. You might try there.

There’s not much posted there and not easy to navigate but if you ask Ken himself there he’ll probably give you an answer. Also, when you get said answer, post it here. I’m new to the “club” of KS bass owners and don’t know much about things like that, but would love to know. I have the same cryptic markings on my BSR6 FL. Although just playing it not knowing anything about it, other than the previous owner, is blissful enough me.

 

[zortation]

Does anyone know what the code penciled on the headstock under the truss rod cover means? I’ve noticed this on Smith basses but am not sure what its significance is.

View attachment 4223712

It's actually a quote from the bible.

9:36 - "And yay, he who placeth the holy key into the sacred hole shall be rewarded with trueness."

I'm pretty sure that's what it is.