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Cliff Bordwell
Commercial User
Just stopped by Ken Smith's shop. I've been there before, but it has been about six years. Today, I had to pick up one of my basses that I had taken to him to polish and dress the frets. Quick turn around and a nice clean job. This is a verrrry old Ken Smith but it plays better than any bass I have ever owned. Even Ken was marveling at the neck and what great shape it's in overall.
I also picked up a P.A.P.A. while I was there. That has the same circuitry as the modern Smiths and really brings a different flavor to this vintage passive bass. I also tried it out with my almost as old active BT-4, and my Wal MK-I. Great little box.
Ken was very helpful and took the time to re-do the set up himself after switching the saddles to get from 20mm to 19mm after he watched how I play. I'm much less delicate than most players and he was concerned that I'd be pulling the G string off the side. Also, 19mm is how he originally slotted this bass. It really did make a difference.
He has lots of great stories and didn't mind sharing a few. He definitely puts personal attention into the basses that carry his name. It was very cool to see some of the in-progress basses in various stages of completion along side some relics that he holds onto as well as some of the ancient double basses in the shop.
I also picked up a P.A.P.A. while I was there. That has the same circuitry as the modern Smiths and really brings a different flavor to this vintage passive bass. I also tried it out with my almost as old active BT-4, and my Wal MK-I. Great little box.
Ken was very helpful and took the time to re-do the set up himself after switching the saddles to get from 20mm to 19mm after he watched how I play. I'm much less delicate than most players and he was concerned that I'd be pulling the G string off the side. Also, 19mm is how he originally slotted this bass. It really did make a difference.
He has lots of great stories and didn't mind sharing a few. He definitely puts personal attention into the basses that carry his name. It was very cool to see some of the in-progress basses in various stages of completion along side some relics that he holds onto as well as some of the ancient double basses in the shop.
Damian Coccio
Supporting Member
Thought I'd share this http://www.smithbassforums.com/showthread.php?t=1117&page=2
I tried it on mine, didn't like it when using the outer coils, but the inner coils in sc mode are awesome.
I tried it on mine, didn't like it when using the outer coils, but the inner coils in sc mode are awesome.
I'm a former ken smith collector. I think I owned 7 of them over about as many years. Great woods and workmanship.
Anyone here ever replace their pickups or dare I suggest move them to more traditional locations? I've been thinking of a 6 string again but I can't stand the pickup locations and design. Too bad ken won't move them on request for a custom order. Otherwise, his basses fit the bill for me.
Anyone here ever replace their pickups or dare I suggest move them to more traditional locations? I've been thinking of a 6 string again but I can't stand the pickup locations and design. Too bad ken won't move them on request for a custom order. Otherwise, his basses fit the bill for me.
Damian Coccio
Supporting Member
Yeah, it would be nice if he offered the option of more traditional spacing I agree. Smiths do what they do well, but I'd love to hear one with 60s or 70s spacing single coils.
He told me a story of how he replaced the pickups on a bass for Stanley Clarke. He had to make some major mods to accommodate the work. It included a huge block between the pickups and Stanley's signature.
Lots of stories with that bass.
Damian Coccio
Supporting Member
A friend I play with has a bsrj it's a nice sounding bass, sound a lot like the modified std pickups I mentioned. Still not j like though IMO.
I wonder if he discontinued it because of the burner resurgence.
I had a 25th anniversary bolt on J from him. Agree it was nothing like a J bass, but it was a one piece flame maple body and was probably the lightest KS ever made!
Pretty but I didn't keep it long.
I'd be curious about a neck through with J's if anyone has a post. I've discovered I'm not a huge fan of too many layers of laminates or lots of maple outside of the neck, but maybe a walnut or mahogany oriented axe.
What a shame. I have one of these and I'm on a break at a gig playing it as I
type this. Hi, robin! I was the guy who sent you the message from New Orleans from your blog about juggling multiple bands. Small world!
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