Why do people not like Ken Smith basses.

[P. Aaron]

I like reading these types of threads because of the antagonism and some nice bass pictures.

I have seen & heard 'a guy' play a Ken Smith bass...in person! Seemed to work for him.

 

[Inara]

Years ago I tried a number of Smiths alongside basses by Roscoe, Warwick, Alembic, Wal, Tobias (pre-Gibson days), and Pedulla, and the Smiths were at the bottom for me in terms of tone and feel. And I don't like their aesthetics at all. I ended up buying a Roscoe LG3005.

This is of course COMPLETELY subjective: the post is asking why people don't like them, so I'm just offering my own explanation of why I don't, as a data point.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I have never seen or played a Smith in a store.
But some of my Fusion favs played one in the past.
A.J,Pattitucci.
I tend to be biased toward anything that vaguely resembles like an Alembic.
(Meaning natural finish.Gold hardware.No plastic)

So.......I would likely gravitate to them.
IF I ever had the opportunity to try one in a store.

 

[nonohmic]

I'd rock one. Wouldn't pay $6k. But I'd rock one.

 

[zortation]

Smiths are a bit like Stingrays, you have to tweak the sound to make it useable and it's very easy to make it to sound un-useable. Most guys I hear playing it are un-listenable.

 

[MMiller28]

No preference on the sound, but I strongly dislike the aesthetics.

 

[bassbenj]

I think a lot of people don't like Ken Smith, his basses are great. Look thru the older Smith threads.... He can be a knob.

The only negative I can see about his basses are that they are expensive and some may say more geared to jazz that other types of music. Not my first choice for a hard rock gig to say the least.

Well my Smith was used and I didn't pay a fortune for it, but I don't play it much these days. And it's because to me it is more geared to jazz (it's a 6 string) and I'm not doing that sort of thing right now. As for looks I really don't think much of the style which is that lumberyard flat plank look, but when I"m playing it I couldn't care less about the shape. The shape does not interfere with playing at all. So periodically these days I'll dig it out and put some time on it just for grins. And every time I do I'm ALWAYS amazed as just how great a bass it is! I mean it REALLY is!

But as someone noted various basses tend to specialized tools for certain jobs and the Smith is one of those. But I'd never get rid of it because you just never know when one of "those" jobs comes along.

 

[scubaduba]

I'm one of those on the camp that love Smith basses. Mostly for the tone and preamp. I don't necessarily dig the looks and ergonomics... But man that burp, punchy tone I love.

 

[bassclef112]

For a while I owned a BSR4EG.

Pros: What a beautiful instrument. Build was first rate, like a Bentley.
Ergonomics were outstanding and the neck was a joy.

Cons: I played a lot of gigs with this bass. One night it would have the sound in my head great.
The next I would spend tweaking the EQ all night long, never getting what I wanted.

I never did figure out how such a wonderfully made instrument could react so differently from venue to venue.
I felt I shouldn't have to work that hard for consistent results from something of this caliber. As a result I reached for
it less and less.

I'm sure someone else is quite thrilled with it - it just didn't work for me.

 

[Papersen]

I´ve owned a couple and loved the aesthetics, sound and construction.
However, since I play in a rock/hard rock band, had a hard time being heard in the mix.

It´s pure, crystal clear sound needed to be overdriven to be heard and IMO they didn´t "naturally" fit that music style.

 

[GreyBeard]

I had a (BSR)5M once upon a time. Very nice polite tone and super easy to play. It just wasn't rock and roll enough for me.

 

[AmpegB15]

I really like Smiths. The build quality and consistency from bass to bass is extraordinary with Smiths. I have a handful of basses from another high end boutique builder and every bass feels different when switching among 4, 5 or 6 strings. Each seems to have a different neck profile or thickness. With Smiths, every bass, whether it's a 4, 5 or 6, or a fretless, feels the same. Same neck profile, same thickness, same playability, same sound. Switching among them is effortless. I also like an extremely low action and I can get that easily with all of the Smiths. With other brands, the ultimate low action is hit or miss. My dealer once remarked that, for electric guitars, PRS was the only brand he felt comfortable drop shipping to customers because he knew the consistency was there and the customer would get a perfect guitar. Smith is that way for me.

And the sound, for me, is the ultimate in adaptable. It can be polite or reserved, or it can bark and bite if you dig into it. What comes out of the Smith is what my hands put into it because it is so playable. That's the key ingredient to a good sound.

 

[Tim Bishop]

I really like Smiths. The build quality and consistency from bass to bass is extraordinary with Smiths. I have a handful of basses from another high end boutique builder and every bass feels different when switching among 4, 5 or 6 strings. Each seems to have a different neck profile or thickness. With Smiths, every bass, whether it's a 4, 5 or 6, or a fretless, feels the same. Same neck profile, same thickness, same playability, same sound. Switching among them is effortless. I also like an extremely low action and I can get that easily with all of the Smiths. With other brands, the ultimate low action is hit or miss. My dealer once remarked that, for electric guitars, PRS was the only brand he felt comfortable drop shipping to customers because he knew the consistency was there and the customer would get a perfect guitar. Smith is that way for me.

And the sound, for me, is the ultimate in adaptable. It can be polite or reserved, or it can bark and bite if you dig into it. What comes out of the Smith is what my hands put into it because it is so playable. That's the key ingredient to a good sound.

Spot on.

 

[jazzycats]

I had one, beautiful construction, but I never got the sound. I ended up trading it for an Fbass BN5 and I´m glad I did it!!
I´m not saying it is a bad instrument, it´s just not for everyone. It never sounded good for rock´nroll or salsa. Or maybe I never got how to tweak it.

 

[Bassplyr1]

So whats the story with these? Are they Japanese made? What is the value on one without a scratch? I have a 6 string Burner made around 86 Im told, in my possession that belongs to my electrician. Just trying to get some insight. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rodneyat]

So whats the story with these? Are they Japanese made? What is the value on one without a scratch? I have a 6 string Burner made around 86 Im told, in my possession that belongs to my electrician. Just trying to get some insight. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I am not an expert. But, from what I recall. The Japanese Burners go for $1000-$1500 on the used market. But, I am not 100% sure on that. The Japanese made ones from the 80's and 90's were generally pretty well made.

 

[Bassplyr1]

Thank you Rodneyat.

 

[madbass6]

That's what it looks like to me. Definitely not a "real" Smith.

Yes it's a Burner!
(discontinued years ago!) Some made here at kens shop USA, some in Japan and its defenetly considerd a real Smith ! Amazing instruments !
Not to be confused with the KSD line produced by D'andrea company !

 

[Wulfensteiner]

I played a custom 'coffee table lookin' Ken Smith 6 and it actually made me consider not being such a 5 fanboy for about a minute it was fantastic, I gotta admit. So clean sounding, and didn't bother my playing scope at all. That was weird, but I had a blast. I may consider buying something similar one day when I feel like showing off and stuff.
When he decided to mess around and string it E-F, it made me sad in pants but he likes it that way and hates B's.

 

[Chickenwheels]

Bump.
Been enjoying John P’s “Smith/Jackson” tone on the mid 80s Chick Corea Elektric Band Clio on the ‘Tube.
I tried a couple of Smiths about ten years back in London. First time I felt a boutique bass was actually worth the asking price. Really awesome basses.