Beautiful bass-but which model is it?

[alanreed]

Hi
I managed to buy an amazing bass a few years ago but don’t know much about it and was hoping you KS pros could help me out (model, wood, hardware etc). I've attached a few photos to assist. I'm also thinking of selling it (hard times) and wonder if anyone could give me an idea of a fair price.
Thanks in advance.

[Ken Smith]

Hi
I managed to buy an amazing bass a few years ago but don’t know much about it and was hoping you KS pros could help me out (model, wood, hardware etc). I've attached a few photos to assist. I'm also thinking of selling it (hard times) and wonder if anyone could give me an idea of a fair price.
Thanks in advance.

The BT6G (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/models/neckthru/bsrgnbtg.html). This would be the Oil/Varnish finish. The pics are good but I can't see it being the high gloss lacquer as used on the Elite. If it is the heavier finished gloss Lacquer then it might be the BT6EG (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/models/neckthru/bsrbtelite.html) but the neck strips going down the back would be Morado instead of Bubinga like pictured here.

The two switches are not in the position that we put them so it's possible they were added later by someone else. Are they series/parallel?

This Bass from 1996 would also have the older 9v circuit as well.

I can't give you a price simply because I do not work in the used market.

Wood you ask? Bubinga top and back. The rest is on the spec sheet and can be ID'd here if you just look and try a little; http://www.kensmithbasses.com/woodpages/woodpagecontents.html

Hardware? Ours with the exception maybe of those two switches. Bridge and Tuners are Gold Plated.

Was this Bass re-finished recently? It looks brand new!

[alanreed]

Thanks very much for the info Ken and I'm sure you've heard it many times before but you make amazing basses.

I've had this one since 2006 and don't believe it's been re-finished. The previous owner treated it like a baby as have I.

As for the switches I've no clue when they were added but have attached a photo of the electrics to hopefully shed light on their purpose.

[Ken Smith]

Thanks very much for the info Ken and I'm sure you've heard it many times before but you make amazing basses.

I've had this one since 2006 and don't believe it's be re-finished. The previous owner treated it like a baby as have I.

As for the switches I've no clue when they were added but have attached a photo of the electrics to hopefully shed light on their purpose.

It looks like our wiring but that was in 1996 I guess. I can't tell 100% but let's assume it's original with the bass.

The switches in 1996 were a new thing and were optional so I am sure there were a few experiments as to placement looking back at it now. It's just that the position is different than the template I have so I am still puzzled about it. Our wire colors for the switches are different as well. They are orange, yellow, blue and brown.

As long as the work correctly it's ok..

[alanreed]

Thanks again Ken, it's great getting information from the boss as I can only imagine how busy you are.

[Ken Smith]

Thanks again Ken, it's great getting information from the boss as I can only imagine how busy you are.

I wish I was Busier. In this economy with a reduced staff I am busy doing more and different things than I usually do so yes, I am busy bit would love to have the problem of being 'too busy'.

[alanreed]

Well I wish you the best for the future - may you continue to make musicians dreams a reality, producing quality basses for many years to come

[Tim Bishop]

Given the 5 pc body; the laminate is maple. The body core is a bit more difficult to ID from the pics. My first guess would be Mahogany. In other pics it looks like Walnut or Cherry. At any rate, the bass looks nice and clean.

If you do follow through and sell it, start the price at $3.5k. Personally, if that were my bass and it was 100% original condition, no issues, and as clean as it looks, I wouldn't take a penny less. BUT, don't be surprised if you get a bit more than that starting price of $3.5k. ;)

[Ken Smith]

Core is Mahogany (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/woodpages/mahogany.html) and possibly African which we used a bit of starting back in the early/mid 1990s.

[Tim Bishop]

Core is Mahogany (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/woodpages/mahogany.html) and possibly African which we used a bit of starting back in the early/mid 1990s. Ahh yes, that nice darker Mahogany. One of my favs. :)

[alanreed]

Thanks for the help with the pricing Tim, would I be best to sell it here or the bay?

[Michael Wilson]

HI, I would love a chance to buy this bass if the price is right and we do it thew paypal. Let me know.

Mike

[alanreed]

Hi Mike

I'll PM you

[Michael Wilson]

Al, let me know when you are putting the bass up for sale on ebay, so i can place a bid if the price is in my range.

Mike

[alanreed]

Hi Mike

It'll either be ebay or a forum here - I'll let you know when I've decided if I can part with it.

Al

[Allan Todd]

Why would you want to sell a superb bass like that ??

[alanreed]

Hi Allan

A lot of people are asking me the same question - it's not getting used as much as it should and, unfortunately, other issues may take priority

[Michael Wilson]

I keep hearing that this bass is going up for sale but i dont see it listed anywere. Is the bass going up or not?


Mike

[Ken Smith]

I keep hearing that this bass is going up for sale but i dont see it listed anywere. Is the bass going up or not?

Mike

Wow, what a tease...:p

[alanreed]

OK OK I'll decide today and let you know by the end of the day :-)

[Tim Bishop]

OK OK I'll decide today and let you know by the end of the day :-)
It's your bass Al, list it when you're ready.

[Michael Wilson]

Ok AL.

That would be a real cool thing to do.

Thanks

MIKE

[Michael Wilson]

Hey Tim.

Is AL your brother or cousin. Sounds that way. I am sure he is a big guy and will do what is best for him without anyone's help. Just needed to know if its going to happen. Dont think that is asking to much or maybe you are the keeper of the thread.

Mike

[alanreed]

OK Mike it's finally up for sale on the used forum here. Let me know what you decide.

ps Tim's my brother from a different mother :-)

[Michael Wilson]

The Alan Reed BT6EG is on its way. I will post comments on the bass when it hits home. Really looking forward to this bass. I sold my beloved 90 BT4 to get this bass.

Mike

[Michael Wilson]

I just bought this bass a few days ago. Its still in the air coming from Canada, but i still can't tell if its a BT6G or BT6EG. States on the back cover 6G but the S/P switches and the finish is throwing me off a bit.

Mike