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The Ken Smith Club, Part 2

#821
Hey y’all!
Just got my first smith after 2 decades of wanting.
A white tiger elite 5er.
Only issue I am running into is I feel the bass is a bit too dark for my preference. It’s got the 18v system and it seems no matter how I set the dip switches I have to really dig in and work to get any treble bite.
Any suggestions? Would it be sacrilege to throw an obp3 in there?

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#825
I like a bright sizzle to my tone, which is where I find my love for Spector. Problem with the smith is I LOVE the low end and mid grunt this bass has, it’s authoritative and defining but I just have to work a bit too hard when playing to get that top end that I am craving out. Compared to my fodera 5er with the mike Pope, it’s almost like the treble knob doesn’t work on the smith.. the fodera can get a bit too harsh in the highs tho.

I don’t want to lose any of that phat low end characteristic but I’d like to feel like I’m not over compensating on my amp/post eq to get that sizzle.

Reedt2000 said:
I wonder if the frequency center of the Smith pre treble boost just isn't where your ears like it. Try boosting treble or high mids on your amp or a pedal, see if they are centered in a place that gives you what you're looking for.
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#832
Just in case you're not aware, the bass sounds darker in series and brighter in parallel (switches down). I have the "negative" version with walnut top/core/back and maple veneers. Nice clear distinct highs but it's a Smith, you don't get the Sadowsky high range, which is a good thing IMO.
You might want to investigate changing the switches wiring to get a single coil mode. See attached pdf (do it at your own risk of course).
 

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#833
Nakoatron said:
I like a bright sizzle to my tone, which is where I find my love for Spector. Problem with the smith is I LOVE the low end and mid grunt this bass has, it’s authoritative and defining but I just have to work a bit too hard when playing to get that top end that I am craving out. Compared to my fodera 5er with the mike Pope, it’s almost like the treble knob doesn’t work on the smith.. the fodera can get a bit too harsh in the highs tho.

I don’t want to lose any of that phat low end characteristic but I’d like to feel like I’m not over compensating on my amp/post eq to get that sizzle.
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Might be a dumb question, but did you try replacing the strings. If it’s not a special order, it may have been around and handled for a while. Also, you might try your favorite “sizzly “ strings to see if they work for you.
I find this puzzling because my black Tiger has plenty of bite. I assumed that was inherent in all Smiths.
 
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#836
Reedt2000 said:
I second that. I started using them on my Warwick because it's pretty dark and the taper core strings balance that with crisp top end while still letting the big clear lows and defined mids shine. I've never put anything else on my KS
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First time I tried tapers, I did not give them a fair chance. Probably because I was convinced that they were factory rejects or something. I heard (probably imagined) some twang on them. After hearing them on the Smith, I can’t see me using anything else on that bass.
 
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#837
I got a bunk set of DRs! I switched back to my trusty ol Dunlop Marcus Miller sigs and this bass has all the bite I wanted and more. Night and day difference, and found a string that this bass loves, so i will be doing a bulk order of them very soon. My foderas love em too, so guess its time to switch back!
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#838
Nakoatron said:
I got a bunk set of DRs! I switched back to my trusty ol Dunlop Marcus Miller sigs and this bass has all the bite I wanted and more. Night and day difference, and found a string that this bass loves, so i will be doing a bulk order of them very soon. My foderas love em too, so guess its time to switch back!
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I heard those strings work even better with an obp3 preamp in there.

:bassist:
 
#840
Kirk Bryant said:
View attachment 3271088 View attachment 3271089 View attachment 3271090 View attachment 3271091 View attachment 3271092 View attachment 3271093 Anyone care to educate me on the finer points of this bass and it’s origin and construction.
I’ve had this Burner (Deluxe?) for several years. IIRC, earlier 90’s with Kens sig on bottom or inside of the back cover plate.
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thats exactly like the one I owned in the 90s, down to the pink lining in the case and everything.

Would love to find another one like it some day. .
 
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