Just curious as to which part of the instrument I'm looking at. Certainly seems to be a big gap there!
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Where did all the Ken Smiths go?
- Thread starter Kmrumedy
- Start date
Just curious as to which part of the instrument I'm looking at. Certainly seems to be a big gap there!
These are bolt-on basses with a deep set neck, almost like a set neck but with bolts. I guarantee it didn't leave the shop like that. The plus side is that if anything ever happens to the neck, you can get a new neck. The downside is that since it is adjustable, it can adjust out of alignment as well.
That is kind of drab looking. A gloss finish and an ebony fretboard might help spruce it up.
Ken Smiths have a unique sound which may explain why people are hanging on to them. There aren’t many other options out there.
I too have been very actively looking for a 4 or 5 string smith since about November (3 months).. 4 strings are super rare to pop up. There was just a MINT 2007 BSR5eg elite with a cocobolo top that hit reverb for basically $7k and was gone in 2 1/2 hours. I've been checking Talkbass, Reverb, Facebook and ebay at least 5x per day and the nice ones that are priced even close to reasonable are gone within 24 hours. The ones on Reverb right now priced between 9K and 10k or more tend to sit for days/weeks/months. Just my observation.. That could change the way things are going!
Having said all this.. I did recently have some success and acquired a mint 2010 Black Tiger BSR4NT. And I must say it is the finest, purest sounding, easiest to play, most perfectly detailed bass I've ever owned... in over 30 years.
I recently had a chance to play a couple of Foderas (Standard and Classic level), and also a new very very nice German built Sadowsky.. Not even close.. the Smith KILLS them. IT IS A SLAP MONSTER, and the ease of execution (playability) - WOW. Of course set up and player preferences do come into play to be fair to the other instruments mentioned. Though the brand new Sadowsky's nut was cut quite high which I thought was weird.
The one thing that may cause me to part ways with the Smith is the tone. It has a really great punchy defined middle of the road warm tone with that high end Smith bite. In my middle years, I've found myself really leaning toward ultra vintage thumpy tones ala vintage P and and vintage G&L sounds as of late (think the bassline in Carwash). The smith has more versatility for sure, but If I find myself not playing it much due to my affinity for that dusty vintage thump it may go.
Having said all this.. I did recently have some success and acquired a mint 2010 Black Tiger BSR4NT. And I must say it is the finest, purest sounding, easiest to play, most perfectly detailed bass I've ever owned... in over 30 years.
I recently had a chance to play a couple of Foderas (Standard and Classic level), and also a new very very nice German built Sadowsky.. Not even close.. the Smith KILLS them. IT IS A SLAP MONSTER, and the ease of execution (playability) - WOW. Of course set up and player preferences do come into play to be fair to the other instruments mentioned. Though the brand new Sadowsky's nut was cut quite high which I thought was weird.
The one thing that may cause me to part ways with the Smith is the tone. It has a really great punchy defined middle of the road warm tone with that high end Smith bite. In my middle years, I've found myself really leaning toward ultra vintage thumpy tones ala vintage P and and vintage G&L sounds as of late (think the bassline in Carwash). The smith has more versatility for sure, but If I find myself not playing it much due to my affinity for that dusty vintage thump it may go.
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Back side of the instrument at the top “horn” showing the huge gap between the body and neck
Could that be fixed with tightening a screw(s)? I've seen some otherwise fine basses suffer from a hard knock and then just put on the wall of the shop regardless.
Never owned a Brubaker before so not defending.
Ive probably had 4 conversations with ken over the years. He's been just fine with me. A little short perhaps on occasion, but always available to chat directly and in a friendly enough manner.
Daniel has been involved in the construction of MTDs for at least nine years. At this point I doubt anyone will notice a difference in MTDs once Mike stops participating in the building process. From what I can tell, the transition that has been under way is probably about as seamless as a transition could be - and I would suspect that Daniel is responsible (and has been for a while) for a lot more in the shop than most people would realize.
I always feel a bit funny about dumping on someone who could not respond if he wanted to. Ken Smith had his run ins on TB, but the dude was a NYC studio bass guitarist and a concert string bassist. Dude also is responsible for some of the nicest bass guitars ever. How many of us can even claim a resume with even a part of those achievements?
Regarding the popularity of Smiths, I think the brand just isn’t as popular as it used to be. The boutique mystique has probably faded somewhat and the trend over recent years has been to go towards the more “traditional” end of the spectrum. Fodera has stepped in and stolen the spotlight where more “modern” players are concerned and I see more MTDs in the hands of the gospel elites than Smiths (Smiths used to be considered the gospel bass). I can think of a bunch of “name” players that use Foderas and MTDs but I can’t think of any who still play Smiths besides Hadrien F (that’s not to say there aren’t others - but back in the day I would have been able to list at least a small handful of well-known Smith players). Also, it might not help that Smiths have a reputation for being “one trick ponies” with a very particular (modern) sound (not to mention necks that a lot of people seemingly don’t care for).
That said, I really like the Smith sound and would love to own a Smith. I just don’t want t pay the asking prices.
That said, I really like the Smith sound and would love to own a Smith. I just don’t want t pay the asking prices.
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Totally agree with the posts stating 4 string Smiths are just harder to find because less were produced (as is the case with all boutiques).
On the subject of Brubaker’s overall quality, I’ve played several of his basses at GTG’s and I felt his overall quality was excellent. They played and sounded wonderful. I can assure you that Smith is far to proud of the legacy of Smith basses to turn basses built bearing his name to someone not up to the task.
On the subject of Brubaker’s overall quality, I’ve played several of his basses at GTG’s and I felt his overall quality was excellent. They played and sounded wonderful. I can assure you that Smith is far to proud of the legacy of Smith basses to turn basses built bearing his name to someone not up to the task.
He's a hard working and detail oriented guy for sure. Online persona was pretty abrasive and I'm not exactly known for having people skills....
Hold on to that Smith! Your tastes may change again and you’d kick yourself for selling it. I haven’t played my Smith much lately but then I’ll pick it up and ask myself why? It’s awesome!
Nothing wrong with having multiple basses.
There is no doubt Smiths we’re very popular and highly regarded over many years.
At the time gigs were plentiful, local specialty stores were lined with boutique basses and we could afford them because we played 4-5 dates a week for good pay.
Today gigs are 3 a month pre Covid and pay has not increased at the rate of boutique prices.
Boutique has therefore exceeded the reach of many players and the mass produced, more affordable offerings have filled the void.
In the 90s the local Alembic dealer advertised new Series 1 basses at $4K, today I’d have to pay around $40K. My income has not increased tenfold in that time so they went from expensive to out of reach in that time.
Is it wrong? No, costs have increased and bespoke work takes time, it is inefficient and expensive. Mass production techniques have improved and cost per unit is a lot lower. This widened the gap between mass production and boutique in recent years.
My advice is if you own a Smith and love the sound then hang onto it. If your taste has moved on then use something else but still consider keeping your Smith, you may regret selling it.
At the time gigs were plentiful, local specialty stores were lined with boutique basses and we could afford them because we played 4-5 dates a week for good pay.
Today gigs are 3 a month pre Covid and pay has not increased at the rate of boutique prices.
Boutique has therefore exceeded the reach of many players and the mass produced, more affordable offerings have filled the void.
In the 90s the local Alembic dealer advertised new Series 1 basses at $4K, today I’d have to pay around $40K. My income has not increased tenfold in that time so they went from expensive to out of reach in that time.
Is it wrong? No, costs have increased and bespoke work takes time, it is inefficient and expensive. Mass production techniques have improved and cost per unit is a lot lower. This widened the gap between mass production and boutique in recent years.
My advice is if you own a Smith and love the sound then hang onto it. If your taste has moved on then use something else but still consider keeping your Smith, you may regret selling it.
Hey Samatza, Thanks for the comments. I think you're right. Smith simply isn't making these any longer. In fact I've communicated with Ken about getting a 4 string M model and he just let me know there's not plan to make them any time soon! That may not be the case with the Tiger or Elite Series.. You may be able to order a 4 string.. IF so it'd most likely be a few months and have a $7k+ price tag depending upon your option choices. On another note, is that a Surine Affinity in your profile pic?
