The Ken Smith Club, Part 2

[KUETSUM]

Hi Roger
It’s most likely 34, and the strings with the purple fabric are KS (Bassdirect sell them). I use DR Fatbeams, works fine too.
Looking forward to the test drive

Yea bassdirect recently restocked

 

[Element Zero]

Take it from the top...

The accentuated ping of a Smith. Here is the treble control "mapped out." Even at detente, there is around a 2-3dB very broad bell boost around 5.5K in the default DIP switch settings. The DIP switch settings move the treble bell around from roughly:

• Lowest (Sw5=on, Sw6=on) ~4.2K
• Low/Original (Sw5=off, Sw6=on) ~4.5K
• High/Default (Sw5=on, Sw6=off) ~5.5K
• Highest (Sw5=off, Sw6=off) ~7K

It's a very broad bell at the top end rather than a shelf. Very reminiscent of a Pultec high end boost. At the end I show a full cut at the default DIP switch settings to show that it functions more less as a gentle low-pass filter. I really like the design of this EQ.

View attachment 5031023

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaand screen shot

 

[roogbass]

Hi Roger
It’s most likely 34, and the strings with the purple fabric are KS (Bassdirect sell them). I use DR Fatbeams, works fine too.
Looking forward to the test drive

The testdrive,

 

[Element Zero]

The testdrive,

Yeah dude. Sounds so good.

 

[Juzh]

Sounds great!!

 

[Peredur]

I am fully aware that I am asking the impossible here, but if I do not ask I do not know. Does anyone have a Smith preamp they would consider selling me?
TIA

 

[deepender]

I am fully aware that I am asking the impossible here, but if I do not ask I do not know. Does anyone have a Smith preamp they would consider selling me?
TIA

 

[GMSweet]

I am fully aware that I am asking the impossible here, but if I do not ask I do not know. Does anyone have a Smith preamp they would consider selling me?
TIA

You'll probably need to reach out to [email protected] about the circuits to buy a new one. I grabbed the PAPA off of eBay when the auction said it was coming from Perkasie, PA (KenSmith's shop). I haven't seen another source for the BMT or modular BT/BMT listed.

 

[Peredur]

Thanks. I have seen one or two on board preamps appear over the years - it was worth asking. I will pickup one of the PAPA doobries and feel the KS joy that way

 

[India_Sierra]

Ken announced on Instagram this afternoon that he is no longer working with Brubaker to make Ken Smith basses and his team will now be handling their production exclusively in Pennsylvania. Interesting news!

 

[Element Zero]

Ken announced on Instagram this afternoon that he is no longer working with Brubaker to make Ken Smith basses and his team will now be handling their production exclusively in Pennsylvania. Interesting news!

Yeah I just saw this too

 

[31HZ]

Anybody know what that's all about?

 

[shwashwa]

Ken ain't getting any younger is what would be my guess

 

[Element Zero]

Ken ain't getting any younger is what would be my guess

I thought that was the reason he partnered with Brubaker…

 

[Juzh]

Did he get fed up of hearing people referring to KS as Brubaker made?

 

[Reedt2000]

Maybe a dip in sales too deep to ignore?

 

[Nakoatron]

The 2 Brubakers I’ve played left a lot to be desired; haven’t played a smith built by them but that played a factor in not buying one of the recent black tiger elites that were built.

 

[Nakoatron]

Neck pocket on a brubaker I played a couple years back

 

[31HZ]

Neck pocket on a brubaker I played a couple years back

View attachment 5060610

I had forgotten about that. Yikes.

 

[deepender]

Ken announced on Instagram this afternoon that he is no longer working with Brubaker to make Ken Smith basses and his team will now be handling their production exclusively in Pennsylvania. Interesting news!

Too bad, but I’m sure there are good reasons. (I actually spoke with a former Brubaker employee just before Brubaker and Smith started working together, and he predicted that it wouldn’t last long. He told me some stuff, but my lips are sealed)