Pics I found..

[Ken Smith]

Here are some pictures I pulled from a website of an Orchestra I subbed in for the past couple of years. First two pics with the Gilkes (Beethoven 6th), next with the Hart (Holiday concert) (enlarge to see it..lol), and the last two with the Panormo School (forgot the program, some with Schumann Pno solo? and Khachaturian, etc.), all Pro section, smokin'..;) .. I brought out the big guns that night.. I am second from the left in all the shots, 3rd stand.:)

http://www.warminstersymphony.org/images/WSOtop02.JPGhttp://www.warminstersymphony.org/images/WSOtop06.JPG
http://www.warminstersymphony.org/images/WSOtop08.jpg
http://www.warminstersymphony.org/images/WSOtop09.jpghttp://www.warminstersymphony.org/images/WSOtop10.jpg

All but the last 2 pics (no Ties on) were pre-concert run-thrus. Last pic, showtime..:cool:..:eek:

I noticed after seeing these that I angle the bass more than the other players while sitting. Partially due to the size and girth of the basses along with the upper bout widths.

[Ken Smith]

Here's two more but on the first pic you can only see my C-Extension and scroll sticking up on the back right side. Also, my left hand fingering as I Pizz with my Bow up. That's the Martini of which I have fond memories of. The second pic with me and my first carved bass while still in High School.

[Anselm Hauke]

hi ken
nice thread, thanks for the pics.
do you have some more?

[Ken Smith]

hi ken
nice thread, thanks for the pics.
do you have some more?

I didn't even know I had these until recently.. Lol

If I find more I will post them.

[Ken Smith]

Just found another picture on line taken just a week ago on stage (http://www.warminstersymphony.org/) just before the downbeat..

http://www.warminstersymphony.org/pictures/2011-01-pict29s.JPG

That's the old Mittenwald Bass, 'La Fenice' (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/doublebasses/mittenwald/) with the Bollbach (http://www.jeffbollbach.com/) C-extension. I had to use an amp for one tune (Theme from Rocky) and that's the only Bass I currently have fitted for my pickup. I have the new Pirastro Passione Strings on the Bass and also used my P.A.P.A. preamp to get the tone needed as they wanted an Electric bass sound. The SWR Basic Black AMP belonged to a local school they borrowed it from at my request. This saved them the extra fee for Cartage or a 'doubling fee' if I had brought a Smith Bass and also saved my back from having to carry it..:eek:..:)..

[Terry McDougal]

I had to use an amp for one tune (Theme from Rocky) and that's the only Bass I currently have fitted for my pickup. I have the new Pirastro Passione Strings on the Bass and also used my P.A.P.A. preamp to get the tone needed as they wanted an Electric bass sound. The SWR Basic Black AMP belonged to a local school they borrowed it from at my request. This saved them the extra free for Cartage or a 'doubling fee' if I had brought a Smith Bass and also saved my back from having to carry it..:eek:..:)..
Great picture Ken. At first I thought it must be your son.:p
So, you played the part on DB because they would have had to pay you extra to bring a bass guitar? :confused:

[Ken Smith]

Great picture Ken. At first I thought it must be your son.:p
So, you played the part on DB because they would have had to pay you extra to bring a bass guitar? :confused:

One instrument is regular pay. A second instrument is 'a double' (not double), about 15-20% extra fee. An Amp is cartage as well and a back breaker to carry. I told them to get me an Amp and I'll get the job done on my DB. Also, switching basses on a small tight stage might hold up the Orchestra or get something broken if I have an accident. Also, it's two instruments for someone to knock over as most other non-bass playing musicians are idiots about walking on stage with a Bass there.

Really, for one tune would you bring an Amp and BG if you could do it on the DB?

It went just fine. The Drums were across the stage and Orchestra Players in general are clueless about playing on top of the beat in a rhythm section so why bother with the extra gear anyway?

[Thomas Erickson]

Orchestra Players in general are clueless about playing on top of the beat in a rhythm section so why bother with the extra gear anyway?

Zing. :rolleyes:

[Ken Smith]

Here's one more I pulled from my son Jon's facebook page. We did a bass duet at a Jazz Concert I played a few years back. This is me with the Samuel Gilkes bass before it went into restoration. I think I had Pirastro's Original Flat Chromes on it then.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v54/89/94/56601752/n56601752_30203425_8398.jpghttp://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/228697_503720004477_8398_n.jpg

[Terry McDougal]

Here's one more I pulled from my son Jon's facebook page. We did a bass duet at a Jazz Concert I played a few years back. This is me with the Samuel Gilkes bass before it went into restoration. I think I had Pirastro's Original Flat Chromes on it then.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v54/89/94/56601752/n56601752_30203425_8398.jpg
Ken, cut the trickery, that's got to be young Mike on the acoustic! Are you taking the photo?

[Ken Smith]

Ken, cut the trickery, that's got to be young Mike on the acoustic! Are you taking the photo?

Mike who, my son? He was maybe 13-14 then.. lol

[Richard Prowse]

Here's one more I pulled from my son Jon's facebook page. We did a bass duet at a Jazz Concert I played a few years back. This is me with the Samuel Gilkes bass before it went into restoration. I think I had Pirastro's Original Flat Chromes on it then.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v54/89/94/56601752/n56601752_30203425_8398.jpg
I see a proud dad... hey, that's a good feeling.

[Ken Smith]

Sunday evening rehearsal, just one bass. For budget reasons, the basses (hired section) alternate at the Community rehearsals. Trying to stay awake as you can see. Nothing to do with the music or the orchestra but it's just not prime time for me and my bass. The bass looks like my Mittenwalder (Neuner).
http://www.warminstersymphony.org/images/WSO-March2011-04.JPG

[Ken Smith]

One was taken with me and the Martini some years ago by a visitor from Japan, my distributor Hajime. The other was taken last year for my Orchestra for something which was never used. That is the Panormo I am holding but you can only see the Scroll area of the Bass.

[Lou Laurenti]

Nice photos Ken

[Terry McDougal]

Nice scroll hat.:D

[Ken Smith]

This is from a concert 2 weeks ago with me using the Kreutzer Bass. It's very comfortable to play and I have a pick-up on it as well for the times I need an Amp for a Pops concert or Jazz venue. On this concert I used it with an amp on just the last song for an R&B type part with Drums and Electric Piano with Orchestra and Chorus. Next week I will use the Kreutzer again with an Amp in a show at that same school, West Side Story, just one bass.They try using kids from the school but hire pros for the chairs that are too difficult.

[Ken Smith]

Now THIS is a Knife..

[Ken Smith]

Because of the knife.. This happened.. :eek:

[Ken Smith]

.. and then I graduated to bigger fish..

[Ken Smith]

This is the first SPSO concert of the season. Although I have played with every player in this section, the four of us have never been in the same section before. Back row l-r, Steve Kyle, Larry Jones. Front row l-r, Kevin MacConnell, Ken Smith. This is the first concert using the Jacquet-Pillement in absence of the Marcucci that is still in restoration. The basses sounded great.

[Ken Smith]

This is from about 1-2 years ago. Forgot about it as it's on the Orchestra's website so before they change their Pics, here it is. I am playing first stand with the light colored Kreutzer (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/doublebasses/kreutzer/) bass.

http://www.warminstersymphony.org/images/WSOtop15.jpg

[Ken Smith]

Today's Concert, (the first with the Marcucci bass after being restored) with the Lower Merion Symphony (Mark Gigliotti of the Philadelphia Orchestra conducting).

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=892591270760784&set=a.417264821626767.103866.100000297579231&type=1https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=892591270760784&set=a.417264821626767.103866.100000297579231&type=1

[Ken Smith]

I found the on the FB page of The Orchestra Society of Philadelphia. This is a reading orchestra only. This shot was from October 11, 2013. We did the Verdi Requiem that night and I played the solo (with cellos & chorus) on the Agnes Dei. I'm in the red shirt playing first principal bass. I recall using the Hart bass that night. I think it's the last time I played it before it was sold.

[Ken Smith]

That's me with the Marconcini bass in the Pit, bottom left. I mentioned this to one of the Luthiers I work with and he said "you're playing in the Pit with the "Marconcini"? .. Obviously Not approving of the environment for safety reasons. All was well. We did just 2 rehearsals and 3 performances. The bass is fine and back in the rack at my office. It sounded fantastic. My playing was "Ok"' as well.. lol

[Ken Smith]

Many of the pics came from other peoples pages and for some reason, they disappeared from here. Probably because I just copy and pasted them instead of making it a jpeg first. So, I deleted those pots from here that don't have the pics I was trying ti show and describe. Lesson learned.. (: Sorry..