Where did all the Ken Smiths go?

[Kmrumedy]

Been the in the market for quite a while for 4 string Ken Smith, mid-late 80's BT preferred. It's like finding hen's teeth.

Right now on Reverb, there are 97 Foderas for sale and only 13 Smiths (I'm not counting Burners. Just American made Smiths). Currently 1 Smith came up for sale this week on TB.

I've noticed in the last two years or so, Smiths are showing up less and less for sale everywhere including TB.

The timing coincides with Ken's announcement of American Smiths now being made by Brubaker.

I haven't played the new ones, but they certainly don't look like the same quality of the old KS production crew.

What do you think is driving this? Are people holding onto them now since the Brubaker deal?

They are worth quite a deal more than they used to be, so are the collectors snatching up the old ones and holding on to them??

Thoughts?

(BTW - I had Ken make me a BT5 in 1989 which I still own. Only bass I ever bought new and only bass I have ever kept more than a few years. Never owned another bass that comes close to this Smith.)

 

[bholder]

Who bought 'em ain't sellin', gots to wait 'til someone dies.

 

[wvbass]

I haven't played the new ones, but they certainly don't look like the same quality of the old KS production crew.

I'm curious...what have you seen that made you come to this conclusion?

 

[Kmrumedy]

I'm curious...what have you seen that made you come to this conclusion?

Good question. Most of the newer ones I see look like the picture below. A satin finish with mixed Morado and Pau Ferro fretboards. I'm not saying they are bad basses, just not what I am used to seeing.

 

[wvbass]

Good question. Most of the newer ones I see look like the picture below. A satin finish with mixed Morado and Pau Ferro fretboards. I'm not saying they are bad basses, just not what I am used to seeing.

View attachment 4554668

100% I don't like the looks of that bass. This one is more "Smith" in my eyes.

Ken Smith has always used satin finishes, haven't they? I personally prefer the glossy ones better, but here is a 1997 Smith:

Here's an older, battle-worn Smith sporting a pau ferro fretboard.

I agree with you, but I wonder if the satin finish is something being done because it is a Smith. I suspect Kevin Brubaker can do a heck of a gloss finish when he wants to:

 

[mikeswals]

It was always easier to find 5 string and 6 string Smiths, and 4 string Smiths were always hard to find even 10-15 years ago.

Even when I'd see them hanging in the bass-only shops, you'd never see a 4, they'd always have to be special ordered.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

The multi-string basses are more plentiful. The first thing I saw on eBay was one almost like mine excepts the wings are darker. The price is 2.5x what I paid for mine outside of Louisville, KY in 1995.

 

[India_Sierra]

Ken Smith pioneered the ERB so it makes sense that a greater proportion of his basses would be five and six strings. Four string Smiths have always been rare, particularly neck thru models.

These are indeed basses that people like to hang onto. I am certain that the Brubaker models will be amazing though, Ken values his reputation too much to hand his operation over to anyone less than the best.

 

[Samatza]

I’ve noticed a lot of Smith and other brands being rare on the used market. I’m guessing that the people that own them cannot find a replacement so are hanging onto them.

On Brubaker taking on production it’s part of natural progression I guess. They are reputable and Ken Smith probably wants to pull back the stick and enjoy life a little more now.

This is far better than the brand disappearing all together after all those years of innovation and invention, that would be sad.

 

[jivetkr]

Here is a BSR4MW 4 string for you. This one was a wedding gift from my wife back in 2005. First owner.

This one isn't going anywhere. I consider myself very lucky to own this. Not much else out there that even comes close.

 

[Clark W]

View attachment 4554885

The multi-string basses are more plentiful.

Yeah, not too many one string basses around

 

[staccatogrowl]

Not only did Ken Smith retire, he reportedly sold a substantial portion if his wood stock before doing so. The guy that designed and built (or supervised such) is gone, as is his supply of wood stock. Smith was a passionate, mercurial bass-making genius, and he is missed. The Ken Smith era is over, and prices and supply reflect it.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Where did all the Ken Smiths go?
Young girls picked them everyone.
When will they ever learn
When will they ever learn

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Yeah, not too many one string basses around

I should have said extended range.

 

[nonohmic]

I'd love to try a HF sig, but at $4k you might as well save a little more and spec out a Roscoe or MTD.

 

[kerrycares]

I’m looking for my old walnut 5 string with 19 mm string spacing .... the only bass I wish I would have never sold.

 

[Bonafide]

Like most basses, Smiths come in waves here on TB. Sometimes...each week, sometimes none for weeks. And 4 string Smith basses seem rare period. That said, the last 4 string Smith on TB sat unsold for weeks till the seller pulled the ad and kept it.

 

[bertthebassist]

(BTW - I had Ken make me a BT5 in 1989 which I still own. Only bass I ever bought new and only bass I have ever kept more than a few years. Never owned another bass that comes close to this Smith.)

You answered your own question. Very few people sell them after acquiring one.

 

[Nakoatron]

Ken seems very involved in the day to day at least according to his Instagram. I certainly hope they are not being built by brubaker as the one and only brubaker I played qualified as the worst "boutique" instrument i have ever played due to poor build quality.

 

[songwriter21]

I’ve noticed a lot of Smith and other brands being rare on the used market. I’m guessing that the people that own them cannot find a replacement so are hanging onto them.

On Brubaker taking on production it’s part of natural progression I guess. They are reputable and Ken Smith probably wants to pull back the stick and enjoy life a little more now.

This is far better than the brand disappearing all together after all those years of innovation and invention, that would be sad.

Like Pedulla 100% going kaput.