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Why do people not like Ken Smith basses.

#282
There are a lot of assumptions about the "Smith sound" that aren't necessarily true. A lot of the gospel guys have a combination of technique and eq that gets a particular sound that doesn't sound at all like my Smiths. And I was happy about that. I'm not a Fender JJ guy (or boutique variants) - I really don't like the sound of single coils. Give me a P any day for a lot of tones, but then I want something that snarls with a lot of mids as well. A good Smith can sound like an angry P-bass, or a punchy bite - or anything in-between those two. It will not, however, get a particularly open sound, at least not in my hands.

One thing about a Smith - if I'm playing by myself, there are other basses that sound "prettier." For instance I've had Foderas (and still have a pair of 4-strings) that get a gorgeous deep and open sound (especially the ones with the dual coils - which are modeled after JJ setup). They sound perfect played solo or if there is a lot of sonic space. However in my hands they weren't my favorite in a busier mix (except my YYD PJ). The Smith however shines in that environment. Instead of open and pretty you get focused and punch.

Different strokes. But this fretless is fast becoming a go-to bass:

sfl15.jpg
 
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#284
Man Ken Smith is a nice guy and he makes incredible Basses. What's not to love? I ordered my Bass from him in NYC right after the 9/11 attacks and he built me the best Lefty 5 string I've ever owned. Ken spent an hour with me on the phone and was nice enough to even offer me a job. I can't recommend him or his his Basses enough. The man is a National treasure.
 
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#286
basschanges said:
Smith basses are aweome. I don't think that stuff about slap tone vanishing in the mix is true.

Shamless self plug!!

Click to expand...

Now I happen to like this music.
John Pattitucci and Dave Weckl.
And I like the looks of a Ken Smith bass.

But this vid is why many don't like a Ken Smith bass!
Because of the type of music that some of the main players tend to play.
Too bad for them!
Carry on!basschanges!
Carry on!
 
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#287
rodneyat said:
That would be a little tough since he is in Perkasie, PA and has been since way before 9/11
Click to expand...
Excuse me Lt. Columbo I ordered my Bass From NYC where Ken used to live. As I said he spent an hour with me on the phone. When he offered me a job in PA telling me how nice it was to live there I probably should have listened to him but was studying with Jeff Andrews at the time which I also Highly recommend! :)
 
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#288
Watchootognbout said:
Now I happen to like this music.
John Pattitucci and Dave Weckl.
And I like the looks of a Ken Smith bass.

But this vid is why many don't like a Ken Smith bass!
Because of the type of music that some of the main players tend to play.
Too bad for them!
Carry on!basschanges!
Carry on!
Click to expand...

I think this point was more valid 30 years ago than it is now. I actually find the highest concentration of Ken Smith basses currently in gospel and R and B music, not jazz fusion.
 
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#289
Had to necro this thread.

With the EQ and pickup positions available on my Smith I can dial in ANY tone I want. If I want lows that will remove the nails holding the place together or the thinnest crappy J bass tone (you now know my opinion of that tone) my Smith can do it. I personally prefer a good low tone with heavy/crunchy mids and just a hint of sharpness to the highs. I have no trouble getting everything from bottom crushing fat tones to ear piercing J bass twig tones. The rest of the tone comes from the player. I play mostly metal on mine. Of all the basses I've played, nothing feels as awesome (to me) as a Smith.

And how can anyone think a Smith is an ugly bass? It may not be your favorite body style, but UGLY?

My 2001 Ken Smith BSR4EG lined fretless.
smith_front_022507.jpg


smith_back_022507.jpg
 
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#293
iwearpumas said:
After reading some threads, i notice people really don't like Ken Smith basses. Why do people not like them?
Click to expand...
They seem pretty popular in my area in the praise and worship crowd. I think I've only seen one person play one in 20 years of playing rock shows. They definitely make good basses but I think over the years as other brands have blown up Ken smith just Kind of got lost in the mix. I've always gone with high end warwicks when it comes to big money basses. Fodera seems to have taken over that market these days for those who can afford them.
 
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#294
iwearpumas said:
After reading some threads, i notice people really don't like Ken Smith basses. Why do people not like them?
Click to expand...
They seem pretty popular in my area in the praise and worship crowd. I think I've only seen one person play one in 20 years of playing rock shows. They definitely make good basses but I think over the years as other brands have blown up Ken smith just Kind of got lost in the mix. I've always gone with high end warwicks when it comes to big money basses. Fodera seems to have taken over that market these days for those who can afford them.
 
#295
Nephilymbass said:
They seem pretty popular in my area in the praise and worship crowd. I think I've only seen one person play one in 20 years of playing rock shows. They definitely make good basses but I think over the years as other brands have blown up Ken smith just Kind of got lost in the mix. I've always gone with high end warwicks when it comes to big money basses. Fodera seems to have taken over that market these days for those who can afford them.
Click to expand...

Well, they are more popular in the gospel scene, but now it's taking place by mtd. The regular praise and worship is more jazz and precision basses (pop-rock style)
 
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#300
From what I'm reading, a Smith sounds like some of the things I incorporated into my 6. Pickups close to the bridge, high midrange sound, wide but thin flat profile neck. Granted they're way out of my ballpark for price, but I'd like to try one out sometime.
 

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