mro Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 I was just in a local music store that always has nothing but low end basses. But this one time was a used ken smith 4 stringer that was just so nice. It was active with jazz style pickups. The neck felt great. Maple body. If I had $1100 it would be home with me now. I don't read any topics on ken smith basses here. I'm wondering how any of you out there feel about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orphan wells Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Personally, I think they sound good but not outstanding. I have never really cared much for their styling. They just don't strike me. Usually when I'm looking for basses I go for the ones that seem to be looking back at you from the rack. Ken's styling just doesn't do it for me. However, they are one of the best playing basses out there. Smooth, like budda. I didn't come here to play. I came here to make babies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Phil Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Originally posted by orphan wells: Smooth, like budda.I have a picture of BUDDHA on a pair of jean shorts I have. Its fading out though. Yes that was a random act of randomness. http://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/blue.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/black.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/fuscia.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/grey.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/orange.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/purple.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/red.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/yellow.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 I've never had an opportunity to play a Ken Smith bass. I would like to try one, but I concur w/ orphan that the "look" of KS basses doesn't grab my attention. BUT, if it sounds good and feels good, it's all good in my book! He's got some new "vintage" jazz-style basses out (a 70s model and a 60s model) that have raised my curiosity a bit. There are some in stock at Bass Northwest. I'm waiting for Bumpcity (or LizzyD)to go play them and give a report. (Did you hear that, Bump?...Lizzy? ) I liked what I read about his shop a few months back in BP mag when they did a little profile on him. Peace. spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 I've played many in stores, and the bassist at a jam I visited had one (made of Linwood, I think). The neck feels great to me. For a long time, I thought that a Smith would be my choice for a 5. Over time, I found that I didn't care for the sound as much - it seems a great jazz sound, but to my ears it lacks a low richness. Given the places I've tried them, that may be due to other factors.... Like Willie, I enjoyed BP's "factory tour". Every step of the process involves a "wait" step, to let the wood come to it's own place, and allow a fresh look at the work from a uality point of view. Well made instruments - no doubt about that. $1100? That sounds like a decent price!! I was always looking at new instruments (and 5 strings) and they were more than twice that. Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxofunk Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 A few months back I was at a Guitar Center, they had a rack with 6-8 used Smith's. They were asking over $2k for each one. None of them were in tune so I didn't waste my time playing them - especially since the employee standing at the bass counter clearly had some time on his hands. On the other hand, I have seen another used one that looked like it had been defretted with hedge trimmers, had no finish left on top, and needed $1100 in refinishing work and fretboard planing just to get it back to "decent" quality. The store was asking $700 for it. My point is (or was when I started) that $1100 for a Smith seems like a good deal. I haven't played one enough to have an opinion of sound, but they do feel very good in my hands. The flame maple tops are more appealing than the "hippie sandwich" look with walnut or other dark woods. - Matt W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getz out Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Are we talking about the US made Ken Smith or the KS Design made in Korea? $1,100 isn't bad for a good playing bass, but for a Korean made Jazz copy, that might be a bit steep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mro Posted September 30, 2003 Author Share Posted September 30, 2003 I don't know if it was US made or not. I had no idea that some are made in Korea. I have a picture of it on my desktop but no idea of how to post it here..I was hoping I could do that, then you can tell me if it's American. Anyway I think the model number is BSR4J. There is a big S on the headstock, if that's a clue or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getz out Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Sounds like US made. That's a steal if it plays well. I like them and I think they play great. The have a quirky look to them sometimes, but who cares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Originally posted by Sweet Willie: ...He's got some new "vintage" jazz-style basses out (a 70s model and a 60s model) that have raised my curiosity a bit. There are some in stock at Bass Northwest. These are "Ken Smith Design" basses and I believe that they are not made in the US. Perhaps these are the Korean ones Maury is referring to? spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 I'm with Maury, if it's a US made Ken Smith, it's a good price. Ken Smith basses are not for everyone, they have a unique sound. They are extremely well made basses. On John Patitucci's first album, he's playing a Ken Smith six string. He's holding it on the cover picture. It's enormous. Patitucci Album Cover Also if you have Tony Oppenheim's great book, Slap It!, he played a Ken Smith bass on the examples. Slap It! home page Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxofunk Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 I'm talking US made. So mro, if my blabber was confusing, disregard it. Maury and Tom figured that out long ago. I had forgotten about the new Korean made line... I don't foresee any local dealers getting into them. Funny - a quick search of his site doesn't even mention the new line. - Matt W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getz out Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 There's WAY too much agreeing on this thread. What is it about the Ken Smith sound that is unique? Serious question - I can't place it. They have kind of a sterile sound, even unplugged. Maybe they just have a flat response, and I'm too used to my mid-range growl of my Warwick. I didn't dislike it, I just thought it was different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Originally posted by getz76: There's WAY too much agreeing on this thread. ...I'm too used to my mid-range growl of my Warwick. WaRwIcK bAsSeS sUcK @$$! Is that better, Maury? spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mro Posted September 30, 2003 Author Share Posted September 30, 2003 On jeremyc's thread,pattitucci and the slap it pictures are not it. I think that is the "Burner" model. What I played, the upper horn is longer than the bottom horn. Again I wish I could throw the piture up here. Thanks for all your replies!!! I love this forum.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mro Posted September 30, 2003 Author Share Posted September 30, 2003 I just did a search for ken smith designs. What came up were Fender looking jazz basses. The bass I played had no fender anything,for similarities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getz out Posted September 30, 2003 Share Posted September 30, 2003 Originally posted by Sweet Willie: Originally posted by getz76: There's WAY too much agreeing on this thread. ...I'm too used to my mid-range growl of my Warwick. WaRwIcK bAsSeS sUcK @$$! Is that better, Maury? Thanks Willie! That is much better. I feel back at home now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted October 1, 2003 Share Posted October 1, 2003 Originally posted by Sweet Willie: Originally posted by getz76: There's WAY too much agreeing on this thread. ...I'm too used to my mid-range growl of my Warwick. WaRwIcK bAsSeS sUcK @$$! Is that better, Maury? You're a big, fat, dumb-head! WArWIkt bASsses RULEZ!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooklyn Gear Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 I believe that the Used Bass in question for $1100 is a Burner Series Bass that was manufactured in Japan. The Fender Jazz Style Ken Smith Designed Bass "KSD" that people have found on the web is from a high end factory in Korea that retails for $895 for a 4 String and $995 for a 5 String. Hope this is of help Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnb Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 Thank you for your help Adam. Welcome to the Lowdown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afro_Man Posted October 5, 2003 Share Posted October 5, 2003 Well done adam, another welcome to the lowdown, i think thats one of the best first posts i've ever seen, well done. Nic "i must've wrote 30 songs the first weekend i met my true love ... then she died and i got stuck with this b****" - Father of the Pride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mro Posted October 6, 2003 Author Share Posted October 6, 2003 Welcome to the forum Adam. I am surprised that this thread is still around, but this bass I played is not a Burner. Go to http://www.kensmithbasses.com/model/bsrj/4jpics/4jswamp.html This is exactly what I played for $1100. Daddy's Junky Music in Manchester NH. This should clarify any other questions. Thanks.... I don't know why the address above isn't highlighted... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mro Posted October 6, 2003 Author Share Posted October 6, 2003 The last post by me doesn't seem to work. But go to kensmith.com and find the bsr4j model in swamp ash and that's it. Sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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