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Agreed.
I’m afraid that if Ken Smith decided to release a line of his basses with some Brubaker exotic finishes, I might not be able to stop myself. (My wife could probably stop me)
I know of only one difference, and that would be the finish. Instead of the traditional oil finish, I’m pretty sure they now have a poly or laquer finish. Some would say better because it’s harder and easier to care for, some wouldn’t.
Better in that my old 2016 Black Tiger had the worst B string I’ve ever played. Even after multiple string changes of different brands, I’d played $500 instruments that had better feeling and sounding B strings.
My 2021 Bass is now considered an ‘Elite’ model, even though it has the exact same woods and build as my 2016 ‘standard’ black tiger.
The only difference now is that the Brubaker built basses have the sprayed on, semi gloss finish, instead of the rubbed on oil matte of the old.
I definitely prefer the newer sprayed on catalyzed lacquer, it feels hard but looks like a newly oiled/waxed coat.
Oh dear... so what made you pick up another Ken Smith?
The look, and of course the sound oh boy that sound
The 2016 was perfect but the B. Construction and E to C was flawless.
Thankfully the new one doesn’t suck and is pretty swell all round
In your opinion, do you think the Brubaker era Smiths are better?The look, and of course the sound oh boy that sound
The 2016 was perfect but the B. Construction and E to C was flawless.
Thankfully the new one doesn’t suck and is pretty swell all round
I only have experience with one ‘all in house’ Smith, and one Brubaker built Smith. My Brubaker made Smith is better. It’s not a big sample size haha…
I believe that was pure bad luck. The basses are built with the same methods, same hardware, pickups and electronics. Maybe different machines cutting the woods so little visual differences, but it's the same instruments. Not at all like the Warwick made Sadowsky basses, for example, which are essentially Warwick instruments with Sadowsky specs.
Wow. You should have returned that bass. Ken always bragged about having the best B String in the business. And I can tell you that mine (2017) is primo. Our Worship Leader is semi pro with a lot of CDs and live performing under his belt, and he’s always complimenting the clarity of my Black Tiger. Dude, there was something wrong with that bass.
It was bad (only the B string) but I’ve not owned it since 2018. I’m really not worried about that particular bass anymore. My current Smith is super duper
Also, it’s hard to try these kinds of boutique basses here in Australia. Sometimes you just have to buy and import just to try and find out whether you like it or not. Returning an instrument isn’t always as easy as you guys have it in the US.
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At the risk of being redundant…It was bad (only the B string) but I’ve not owned it since 2018. I’m really not worried about that particular bass anymore. My current Smith is super duper
That Smith sound!!!
Oh my…
Prior to my purchase of the Black Tiger, The most expensive instrument I owned was the $1000 Guild fretless. And that was a gift. I just don’t spend that kind of money. In 2017, I received a very modest injury settlement and decided to gift myself a high quality bass. I found a lot that interested me. Erlich, Brubaker and PRS had caught my notice. I listened to hundreds of reviews and sound recordings of all kinds of basses. Then I heard a recording of a Black Tiger…. “That’s gotta be altered for the recording!” I listened to many more Smith bass recordings, and heard that “Smith Sound” in every one. I researched the Smith Sound on forums. “It must be REAL!” I had to try one. I found one on Google. It was a beauty. And it was nearby in Washington Music Store!!! I stopped by and asked about it. They kept Smiths high on the wall and called them pieces of art. But that one was in the back. I plugged it in, and there it was, in all it’s glory! That sound! I went down the street, pulled out the cash, and bought it on the spot. Ah, that Smith sound…
FYI I have a 2021 and the B is by far the best B I’ve ever played - even better than F (close second), MTD etc. Was never impressed with Fodera’s B.
The B is so define and powerful, it’s impressive
The B is so define and powerful, it’s impressive
Can Brubaker do something about the weight as well, because if he can I'm all in :-()
I tried to find that sound elsewhere in other basses after selling my 1st Smith, but it’s just not there. And I agree with you in hearing it on recordings and thinking it must me some studio magic… Nope, Smiths just have ‘that’ sound.
