The Ken Smith Club, Part 2

[Walk The Dogs]

Wow, no charts! That's impressive. Assuming Paul was the bandleader? Any adjustments you had to make or just play the songs? And what a treat to play with amazing vocalists, we should all be so lucky.

Just some scratch charts of Pippin tunes I made for myself in Musescore the day before (example attached) because I knew nothing about its score. The rest was just muscle memory from having played Godspell and The Magic Show back before the Ice Age, although the aging voices from the original productions required taking keys down a whole step or more.

Paul was the bandleader. He rehearsed with the vocalists the previous day to get keys, tempos, etc. and he was also the MC for the induction. The songs were pretty much show length.

Wicked and Pocahontas are challenging scores because they're traditional Broadway arrangements intended for full orchestras. So those shows sent their keyboard players to accompany the singers. Broadway shows typically have cut-down arrangements for solo piano accompaniment so they can do morning shows, special events, etc. without paying $$$ for and transporting a full orchestra. So I got to enjoy those divas from the audience. Man, they were pro. I don't miss much about Broadway except the caliber of talent I had the privilege of working with.

Stephen Schwartz was one of them.

 

[ModuMan]

Very interesting, thanks for the info!

 

[Rumblefisher]

Hey all, good evening. Apologies if this is poor form, and if so I will go ahead and delete...if anyone knows of someone looking to sell a mint condition neck through 4, please keep me in mind! I posted in the wanted section and came across my own ad from 4 years ago...lol. I also contacted Mr Smith and he said he makes 20 5s for every 4, so he couldn't tell me when he might make another. I know there are some new bolt on models out there, and no knock on those *at all*...in fact, generally I prefer bolt ons. A dream bass of mine is a neck through model though, if even just to say I had one for a while...though I think I wouldn't let it go really. I've got an Alleva for the P thing (although an Olinto may be in the cards), a Rob Allen for the pseudo-upright thing, and a 2band Stingray for the "modern active" thing...none of em cop a Ken Smith midrange monster tone though! Thanks to all, and again if this is a no-no, my sincere apologies and I will delete.

 

[ModuMan]

I was just gonna say you might want to check out the bolt-on 4's they just released. But if you want a neck-through those do seem harder to come by, especially mint. People tend to play them!

I'm keeping my eyes out for a new batch of bolt-on 5's, whenever that may happen.

 

[deepender]

Hey all, good evening. Apologies if this is poor form, and if so I will go ahead and delete...if anyone knows of someone looking to sell a mint condition neck through 4, please keep me in mind! I posted in the wanted section and came across my own ad from 4 years ago...lol. I also contacted Mr Smith and he said he makes 20 5s for every 4, so he couldn't tell me when he might make another. I know there are some new bolt on models out there, and no knock on those *at all*...in fact, generally I prefer bolt ons. A dream bass of mine is a neck through model though, if even just to say I had one for a while...though I think I wouldn't let it go really. I've got an Alleva for the P thing (although an Olinto may be in the cards), a Rob Allen for the pseudo-upright thing, and a 2band Stingray for the "modern active" thing...none of em cop a Ken Smith midrange monster tone though! Thanks to all, and again if this is a no-no, my sincere apologies and I will delete.

Did you google it? I’m finding plenty:

Ken Smith 4-String Basses | Reverb
2024 Ken Smith BSR4M 4 String Electric Bass Walnut Brand New Authorized Dealer ! | eBay

Electric Bass Guitar KEN SMITH BURNER 4ST 4 String Gig Bag Right-Handed USED | eBay

Used Ken Smith BURNER 4ST MIJ J/J PU Quilted Maple Body 3.9kg W/GB | eBay

and more where they came from.

 

[Rumblefisher]

Did you google it? I’m finding plenty:

Ken Smith 4-String Basses | Reverb
2024 Ken Smith BSR4M 4 String Electric Bass Walnut Brand New Authorized Dealer ! | eBay

Electric Bass Guitar KEN SMITH BURNER 4ST 4 String Gig Bag Right-Handed USED | eBay

Used Ken Smith BURNER 4ST MIJ J/J PU Quilted Maple Body 3.9kg W/GB | eBay

and more where they came from.

I did, certainly. None of them neck through 4s though. Was hoping for a black tiger 4, though any USA nt would be great Ty for looking though, I appreciate it!

 

[J Gold]

If you change your mind, I’m selling one of the new bolt ons. I’ve owned both and I prefer the bolt.

 

[King V]

Hey all, good evening. Apologies if this is poor form, and if so I will go ahead and delete...if anyone knows of someone looking to sell a mint condition neck through 4, please keep me in mind! I posted in the wanted section and came across my own ad from 4 years ago...lol. I also contacted Mr Smith and he said he makes 20 5s for every 4, so he couldn't tell me when he might make another. I know there are some new bolt on models out there, and no knock on those *at all*...in fact, generally I prefer bolt ons. A dream bass of mine is a neck through model though, if even just to say I had one for a while...though I think I wouldn't let it go really. I've got an Alleva for the P thing (although an Olinto may be in the cards), a Rob Allen for the pseudo-upright thing, and a 2band Stingray for the "modern active" thing...none of em cop a Ken Smith midrange monster tone though! Thanks to all, and again if this is a no-no, my sincere apologies and I will delete.

Its just the way Ken does business these days. I know he is in the middle of re-vamping his shop, so some models just arent being produced at the moemnt.

I had recently emailed Ken that I was looking for a 7 string and was wondering if he had any in the pipeline or would accept an order for one. The reply was that yes, he has the parts on hand to build a 7, but didn't have plans to pump one out any time soon, and that he is not accepting any orders. Basically they build what they build and post them as available. The gist of his response was to just keep my eye on the FB and IG feeds for an available bass.

All good with me. I'll just stalk the pages and jump if one pops up.

 

[dirtbird]

hi all, I'm wondering what strings are giving good results for you on a Smith bass.

I've a '91 BT5, and not sure what's on there already, but I think I can do better, and certainly lighter.

Given no mid-eq, I think strings which are quite mid-present would be of interest to me, but, as I'm just playing at home, that's not as important as a nice feel. B string clarity a must, and treble extension not so important as I never EQ a super bright sound. I guess a bridge-pickup/treble rolled-off Jaco style sound would be my go-to "tone", but without it being, to my ears, that overly nasal tone he seemed to prefer.

So, is there anything else that you've used that you think works particularly well on the BT basses? Taper core is good, but I don't really like the exposed core (e.g. the Super Steps that were on an FBass of mine - just too floppy IMO). Max B string gauge of .125. Steel or nickel. I can't stand "stiff" feeling strings either, so a medium-to-low-tension feel.

For comparsion, I've used DR, Dunlop and Elixir strings (steel and nickel variants) on other basses, and like them. I probably had some of those on my BSR5J back in the day, but can't rember what, if any, preferences I had with that bass. They are very nice basses too, shame they stopped making them.

My plan is probably to go with the Smith Master series taper-core strings 40-120T, but looking also for alternatives based on your experience.
How are the Burners by comparison? I think the B only comes with a 125 in the light set.
I'm also tempted to try the TI Jazz rounds, which I've never used, has anyone got any experience of those strings on a Smith (or an MTD, maybe I'll leave that for the MTD thread )?

Thanks for reading, and for any advice you may have,
G.

 

[jebmd]

In my experience, I have a preference for Burners and Rock Masters. I find that Smith strings sound best on a Smith; I’ve experimented with various other brands, but they just don’t produce the same Smith tone for me.

 

[Reedt2000]

In my experience, I have a preference for Burners and Rock Masters. I find that Smith strings sound best on a Smith; I’ve experimented with various other brands, but they just don’t produce the same Smith tone for me.

Agreed, I really like the taper core SS. They sound great on basses that are mid-forward. Love em on my Warwick and Spectors.

 

[deepender]

hi all, I'm wondering what strings are giving good results for you on a Smith bass.

I've a '91 BT5, and not sure what's on there already, but I think I can do better, and certainly lighter.

Given no mid-eq, I think strings which are quite mid-present would be of interest to me, but, as I'm just playing at home, that's not as important as a nice feel. B string clarity a must, and treble extension not so important as I never EQ a super bright sound. I guess a bridge-pickup/treble rolled-off Jaco style sound would be my go-to "tone", but without it being, to my ears, that overly nasal tone he seemed to prefer.

So, is there anything else that you've used that you think works particularly well on the BT basses? Taper core is good, but I don't really like the exposed core (e.g. the Super Steps that were on an FBass of mine - just too floppy IMO). Max B string gauge of .125. Steel or nickel. I can't stand "stiff" feeling strings either, so a medium-to-low-tension feel.

For comparsion, I've used DR, Dunlop and Elixir strings (steel and nickel variants) on other basses, and like them. I probably had some of those on my BSR5J back in the day, but can't rember what, if any, preferences I had with that bass. They are very nice basses too, shame they stopped making them.

My plan is probably to go with the Smith Master series taper-core strings 40-120T, but looking also for alternatives based on your experience.
How are the Burners by comparison? I think the B only comes with a 125 in the light set.
I'm also tempted to try the TI Jazz rounds, which I've never used, has anyone got any experience of those strings on a Smith (or an MTD, maybe I'll leave that for the MTD thread )?

Thanks for reading, and for any advice you may have,
G.

Currently, DR FatBeams 45 - 130.

 

[dirtbird]

In my experience, I have a preference for Burners and Rock Masters. I find that Smith strings sound best on a Smith; I’ve experimented with various other brands, but they just don’t produce the same Smith tone for me.

Agreed, I really like the taper core SS. They sound great on basses that are mid-forward. Love em on my Warwick and Spectors.

Thanks, it sounds like the Masters series are a good bet then. Although I see the Burners are avaliable also in tapered sets which is cool.
What's the difference in tone between the Burners and Masters? Also I see there are "Rock Masters" and "Slap Masters". Are those names just used to differentiate between the slighly different choice of gauges, or are they different in some other way? e.g. from the Smith site:
SMXL-5 Slap Master-Extra Light .040 .060 .075 .095 .120
RML-5 Rock Master-Light .040 .060 .080 .100 .120

Hopefully I can souce some of these strings in the UK at a reasonable price.

Currently, DR FatBeams 45 - 130.

Thanks, coincidentally I just listened to some sounds samples on the DR website, and the Fat-beams sounded great. I don't know if it was the overall quality of the recordings, by they really stood out compared to the others. I think I'll have to get some Fat beams to try out for sure, whether it's on the Smith or some other bass.

 

[maakkim]

I just got a BSR5G model (1997) bolt on. Loving it !

 

[ModuMan]

Lovely top! That is just what I am hoping to find

 

[deepender]

I just got a BSR5G model (1997) bolt on. Loving it !

View attachment 5413606
View attachment 5413607
View attachment 5413608

Nice

 

[Rumblefisher]

what's the consensus in general regarding the graphite stiffening rods? are they so beneficial that i should seek out a bolt on model that has them, or are they more a 'luxury' than anything else? thanks in advance for any insights you guys can offer!

 

[maakkim]

Where possible I will opt for graphite rod , as it supposedly will be stiffer than steel and more stability over time.

having said this, I have old fender that has normal steel truss rod that works well so far (touch wood)

 

[shwashwa]

what's the consensus in general regarding the graphite stiffening rods? are they so beneficial that i should seek out a bolt on model that has them, or are they more a 'luxury' than anything else? thanks in advance for any insights you guys can offer!

from what i understand all smiths have them, from the beginning, but i could be completely wrong...

 

[Rumblefisher]

from what i understand all smiths have them, from the beginning, but i could be completely wrong...

I don’t think they all have em…otherwise the G designation wouldn’t be needed. Post 2014 you are right…pre though I don’t think all of em had. Ty for replying.