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Why do people not like Ken Smith basses.

#122
Brad Johnson said:
Haven't been accused of that in a while.
:D

How do you read this, matante?:

"A maker's site is usually the first step I take to clear the usual TB consumerist fog around a bass I've never seriously looked at. For a one-man show, I could see cutting a corner or two on the marketing side, but for bigger players, it's an amateur touch that I can't reward with my money. We live in a world full of exquisite basses, so anything at all that puts me off will make me go to the next guy".

I read it that it's usually the first step he takes. And that if it's a bigger player (think Smith falls in there?) that because of that amateur touch he would not reward them with his money? And it would fall under anything that put him off so he'd move on. Did I put any of that in his mouth? Better, did Roadkill say I was putting words in his mouth?
:hmm:

I don't get how, IF you actually read what he's said objectively, you'd make that accusation of me.
:cool:
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Brad, I do agree on a lot of your opinions, but for the record I never said any of that. What I said is that while Ken Smith might build an excellent product his website is terrible and it reflects poorly on his part, and some people are going to be turned off by that. I am not "some people."

Yes, looking at a website for a particular luthier is one of the first steps I take because we live in a world where information is widely available and I want to know what work the luthier has done, especially if I first heard of him/her. Now, would I not buy a bass built by Linc Luthier (for example) because their website is horribly out of date? Of course not. But for others, it might matter.

As for dealers, again, that information should be on the website; I don't get why that kind of information should be withheld unless you called the company.
 
#124
P1070161.jpg


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#125
And what's with the pointy part at the end? Just seems like it will get chipped or damaged immediately. My first bass teacher had one and it sounded great, I could just never get into it. And now, the whole hippy sandwich with flame maple wings thing just seems dated.
 
#126
"Why do people not like Ken Smith basses"...
Why do people not like "Seinfeld"...
Well, apparently some do like - both Ken Smith basses AND Seinfeld.
This is a thread about NOTHING. Move on.


Just for the record, for me Ken Smith basses are simply the best there is.
 
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#127
Ronen said:
"Why do people not like Ken Smith basses"...
Why do people not like "Seinfeld"...
Well, apparently some do like - both Ken Smith basses AND Seinfeld.
This is a thread about NOTHING. Move on.


Just for the record, for me Ken Smith basses are simply the best there is.
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I do agree that it's a different strokes for different folks kind of thing... but he did ask!
 
#129
Is it just me, or does EVERY Ken Smith remind you of an Ibanez BTB? :P
Sure, some of the woods are different, but the layout seems very similar, as does the laminating.

deepestend said:
And what's with the pointy part at the end? Just seems like it will get chipped or damaged immediately. My first bass teacher had one and it sounded great, I could just never get into it. And now, the whole hippy sandwich with flame maple wings thing just seems dated.
Click to expand...

That's how you tell a male from a female.
 
#133
I still want a Ken Smith, and I've played quite a few over the years. I realized with them how much different woods can potentially change the tone. My favorite Smith was an Alder body, Maple top, maple fretboard, maple/walnut neck. The bass was superior to every other bass I'd played up until that point (then I played some Brubakers....). I've played other Smiths with different wood combos, and I didn't like them as much as the Alder/Maple one.

I loved the tone and looks then, I still do now. I'm sure by now the OP sees that everyone has their own opinions which vary in different degrees. I believe the question hints to answer lol: some people like them, and some people don't:D
 
#135
deepestend said:
I know nothing about Ken or his website and don't mean to come off as flippant, but the basses cosmetics really do nothing for me. Kind of a dated "fancy" look. If I'm going to spend that much money, I'll get get something from one of the 600 or so boutique luthiers.
Click to expand...

Think of how many instances in society now where dated is vogue. Besides, aren't Fenders and all other jazz and p-bass clones dated?:hiding:
 
#136
I do not find Ken Smith basses attractive. There is something about the body shape and the horns that does not appeal to me. The horns look kinda wimpy, and point off in a direction as if the maker didn't know quite what to do with them.

All IMO of course.

And for the record, I don't like Seinfeld either. He's a dweeb. (IMO of course).
 
#137
ken Smith used to be a member here, before he was banned. In MY opinion, he was a colossal d-bag. I remember a thread where he flamed a guy LITERALLY for simply asking him who supplied the graphite rods for his necks. For that reason alone I'd never buy a Ken Smith. There are multiple other instances I recall, but that one blew my mind. I tried to defend the cat, and Smith jumped on me! A-hole to the ultimate degree. Combine that with the fact that the aesthetics do nothing for me, and the few I played felt too chunky in my hands, AND the fact that (to ME) they are overpriced.

I'm pretty much a Conklin guy, and love Bill's work. I also love Beneventes, Roscoes, and Nordstrands. On top of that, all of those builders are top notch dudes who don't need a wheelbarrow to haul around their ridiculous ego.

I'm not gonna get into a pissing contest on a public forum over my opinion. I know some will have issues with my statement(s). If you have a problem, feel free to PM, but I won't get sucked into to an e-penis waving competition. :p
 
#140
Eric Perry said:
ken Smith used to be a member here, before he was banned. In MY opinion, he was a colossal d-bag. I remember a thread where he flamed a guy LITERALLY for simply asking him who supplied the graphite rods for his necks. For that reason alone I'd never buy a Ken Smith. Combine that with the fact that the aesthetics do nothing for me, and the few I played felt too chunky in my hands, AND the fact that (to ME) they are overpriced.

I'm pretty much a Conklin guy, and love Bill's work. I also love Beneventes, Roscoes, and Nordstrands. On top of that, all of those builders are top notch dudes who don't need a wheelbarrow to haul around their ridiculous ego.

I'm not gonna get into a pissing contest on a public forum over my opinion. I know some will have issues with my statement(s). If you have a problem, feel free to PM, but I won't get sucked into to an e-penis waving competition. :p
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I'm LMFAO over here! Love that reference to the all-too-common ego driven phallus swordfight!

I can totally relate to you getting turned off by witnessing a builder/manufacturer roast a customer (or potential customer) in front of the rest of the world. I say that because I have the exact same abhorrence for Dave Boonshoft of Aguilar. I saw how he treated a customer one time, and from that moment on, for the remainder of eternity, I have vowed to *NEVER* own anything with the Aguilar logo on it. NEVER!
 

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