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I wish! It’s 2012 but in immaculate condition.
Yessir:
Ken Smith production shifting to Kevin Brubaker
Obviously, Ken thinks highly of Kevin's work so I'm sure they're just as excellent.
Although someone made a post spotting some differences in building technique/style compared to the ones made by their late luthier.
I think it was the neck joint that was different and some other minor changes too but that was bound to happen.
Im really digging that they're making throw back models though with the stack knobs and big head.
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I’m hoping for more of Kevin Brubaker’s fantastic finishes on some of Ken’s basses.
GALLERY | Brubaker Musical Instruments
One frustrating thing about having a fine instrument like a Smith Black Tiger…
A couple of weeks ago, I was at Thursday night practice with the rest of our church Worship Team, and I dialed back some of that beautiful midrange because the recording that we were emulating had a very pillowy and slightly muddy bass. I asked the sound guy to let me know if it got too muddy. After the song I asked him again, and he said it sounded great to him, and I got enthusiastic thumbs ups from the Worship leader and one of the female singers…
Im telling myself that even muddy on the Smith sounds better than a lot of others.
(Inside I’m still thinking that people prefer muddy bass)
Hey All!
Just picked up this beauty Last week. Its a 89' BT6 G with Bubinga Top and Back. Absolutely KILLER Bass! Super cool story behind it too.
So, I was on the prowl for at Smith 6. Been looking here in the classifieds, Reverb, Ebay..regular suspects. I just so happened to be looking on Facebook Market place for something completely not bass related and came across this bass! It had been up on Marketplace for about 25 weeks. I messaged the owner and it was still available. Stated that he did not really push the sale. Also, the bass looked kinda familiar to me.
Back in the early 1990's (91-93) during college I took lessons from a local Pro/Teacher and he owned a Smith 6 that I drooled over. I was playing 5 at the time and he used to let me play his 6 every once and a while and I loved it. Tone, looks play-ability etc. I had owned a couple BT5's and 6 over the years but none ever compared to that one 6 but I had not seen it in 24 or 25 years.
So I met the guy to try this bass out and when he handed it to me I immediately knew this was THAT bass!
The bass had a particular birth mark on the back, a "knot" in the maple that I remembered and when flipped over there it was. I asked the guy if he knew the fore mentioned teacher and he said "Yup, I was a student of his and traded him my Alembic 6 Elan for this Smith 23 years ago"
Needless to say I bought the bass a week later after I scraped the funds together.
She still plays and sounds amazing. In Excellent Condition still too for its age.
Only thing I may do is replace the Tuners and have Ken send me a set. These work fine but and really faded over time and look silver now. The Bridge is still great looking.
Quick pics:
Just picked up this beauty Last week. Its a 89' BT6 G with Bubinga Top and Back. Absolutely KILLER Bass! Super cool story behind it too.
So, I was on the prowl for at Smith 6. Been looking here in the classifieds, Reverb, Ebay..regular suspects. I just so happened to be looking on Facebook Market place for something completely not bass related and came across this bass! It had been up on Marketplace for about 25 weeks. I messaged the owner and it was still available. Stated that he did not really push the sale. Also, the bass looked kinda familiar to me.
Back in the early 1990's (91-93) during college I took lessons from a local Pro/Teacher and he owned a Smith 6 that I drooled over. I was playing 5 at the time and he used to let me play his 6 every once and a while and I loved it. Tone, looks play-ability etc. I had owned a couple BT5's and 6 over the years but none ever compared to that one 6 but I had not seen it in 24 or 25 years.
So I met the guy to try this bass out and when he handed it to me I immediately knew this was THAT bass!
The bass had a particular birth mark on the back, a "knot" in the maple that I remembered and when flipped over there it was. I asked the guy if he knew the fore mentioned teacher and he said "Yup, I was a student of his and traded him my Alembic 6 Elan for this Smith 23 years ago"
Needless to say I bought the bass a week later after I scraped the funds together.
She still plays and sounds amazing. In Excellent Condition still too for its age.
Only thing I may do is replace the Tuners and have Ken send me a set. These work fine but and really faded over time and look silver now. The Bridge is still great looking.
Quick pics:
Great looking bass and story. I'd consider the Gotoh GB350 Res-O-Lite. You'll save some serious weight and the bass will balance better.
+1
I second the Res-O-Lite suggestion. Less expensive, plus you don’t have to deal with Ken. ;-)
Has that been a problem?
I was under the impression that he was an ok guy. I also have the impression that all artist are a bit quirky.
I can only speak from my personal experience, but he has a reputation for being difficult to deal with. IMHO, that reputation is well-earned. YMMV.
Ive been wanting to send my bass in to get refinished but all the anecdotes surrounding Ken always has left me unsure.
I don't really want to mail it so going to drop it off personally at the Smith shop would be cool (in theory) but
I can't stand arrogant people no matter who they are. Id much less like to pay them for it.
I bought my Smith used btw
Hello,
A friend of mine has this Ken Smith bass and he’s planning to selling it because he has a injury in the wrist that prevents him to play.
He doesn’t remember specs (woods, pickups, electronics, etc…) model, body shape or any related info necessary for selling it.
You can see some pictures of the bass here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8jbzu1fjl...WVocymZVa?dl=0
Serial number is: 6G117484FW
I want helping him, but I’m not either a Ken Smith Basses expert, so I need some help, too…
Could anyone tell me what specs does this bass have?
What does the serial number means?
What would be a fair used price?
Best!!
A friend of mine has this Ken Smith bass and he’s planning to selling it because he has a injury in the wrist that prevents him to play.
He doesn’t remember specs (woods, pickups, electronics, etc…) model, body shape or any related info necessary for selling it.
You can see some pictures of the bass here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8jbzu1fjl...WVocymZVa?dl=0
Serial number is: 6G117484FW
I want helping him, but I’m not either a Ken Smith Basses expert, so I need some help, too…
Could anyone tell me what specs does this bass have?
What does the serial number means?
What would be a fair used price?
Best!!
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Yes, you’re right. It seems to be an “8”, but it is a “9”. Year: 1994, with big headstock and early neck-though.
It’s in fairly good shape, and it has been used only a few years. It’s 100% original and truss-rod & electronics work fine.
My friend received an 2K€ offer and he was to selling it, but he really didn’t know anything of his bass.
Today, we’ve discovered its price would be more expensive than this offer…
In another thread, a user told its price could be around 5K€. What do you think?
