Photo's
 

Ronson, do you have any photo's of your new bass at this time?

No Tim, no photos yet. And I just talked to Ken, and they're in the middle of a bad ice storm! :( He told me they're just waiting on my bridge (although they've already done the setup on my bass using another bridge).

As soon as they get it (praying for Monday or Tuesday), then it's shipping to me! :cool:

Ice storm...
 

Ken uses UPS, it's a 3 day shipping turn-around from there to here. I'll bet you get it in time. You needed it by the 25th., right?

I use to live in that part of the country. I love the Fall weather up there, and even the Winter (but to a point). They have just been hammered this year with bad weather!

Well, I think Ken should just move his shop to Texas, what do you think? :D

Man, wouldn't that be somethin' else? If that ever happened, I'd feel obligated to purchase a Smith at least once a year, huh?

Tim, when you get a chance, tell me what kind of music you're playing with your church groups right now, and what the choirs are singing (Traditional? Contemporary?).

Music......
 

Just one Group, no Choir (we do have a 3pc. vocal team though).

Currently, I play and lead Worship with Tom Davis (former Platinum award winning Producer for Vineyard Music). While we do many of the tunes that Tom has written and published, we mainly live in the "Contemporary Worship" realm and that would include Artist to numerous to mention. If you have access to CCLI, you can get all that info there.

As a group, we also lead Worship at other Churches and/or Church sponsored Conferences. The last couple of weeks have been really busy as we played at a very large Conference and completed studio work on the latest CD.

Well, that's it in a nutshell.

Style of Playing
 

Bottom lovers, I'd like to know your personal preferences when it comes to playing the bass within the gospel realm, do you find yourself playing more slap style, or traditional fingering style, or muted palm style in your respective worship services? Personally I find myself using all three of these techniques as the music seems to be incorporating more R&B rhythms. I use more traditional fingering when I'm playing quartet style gospel music.

No limits....
 

"Bottom lovers"?.....we are talking about bass here, right? LOL! :D

All of them Albert; for me, mainly fingering but no limitations! I also like to incorporate harmonics, and, depending on the tune, some effects. While I'm not a huge fan of effects on bass, I find at times a tune does call for them and they can add another dimension. ;)

Your so bad, yes I'm referring to a Bass Guitar Low "B" bottom (this is a Gospel thread) I to like the harmonics incorporated into the bass line as well, it adds a certain flavor if performed with accuracy (referring back to one of your responses on another thread) sloppy playing just dosen't cut it when trying to lay down a groove and then stick it with a harmonic stop or slide.;)

Sorry....
 

Sorry Albert, the flesh got the best of me: You served it up and I couldn't resist the return! :rolleyes:

By the way, the "sloppy playing" I was referring to was related to using effects with bass. ;)

Granted but I'm sure we can all relate back to a time where our playing was not at a level we were proud of (sloppy playing) it takes dedication and perseverance to force our fingers to react to the information our heart and brain are attempting to convey to them.:rolleyes:

Yes but.....
 

Yes, but making the mistakes "live" or falling into a "sloppy" moment are all a part of growth (past or present). There is no escaping it! ;)

My Brother you have spoken the truth yet again!!!!!!!!:rolleyes:

hello Gents,

i play at my church here in good ole england, they have a church bass that i would use (yamaha 5 string) there is 3 bass players, so we usually rotate....at times i get in the rut where i want to give up playing because i feel like i'm not progressing...i'm sure everyone's been through that stage....thats not really the reason why i'm selling my bass because i am actually in the process of getting a 5 string to continue my playing... I don't think i have the ability right now to maximize the abilities it takes to use the Smith to its full potential. I did however buy the bass before i left the states because i knew it was the best bass out there and that it would be much cheaper to buy in the states than in england... I come across loads of people that don't want to share knowledge or even help out in the learning process...so it seems like its a one man kind of learning process....and it can become frustrating...how did you guys get out of that rut, if ya ever been in that position?

I'm disturb to hear that, in my demographic area I must say that Bass players are only to happy to get together and share wood shedding techniques. The majority of Bass players are the most cognitive people on the earth, they truly enjoy thier gift, and yes at times we can feel a bit stagnated with our abilities, but that in itself shows growth. Bass players for the longest have always been held in the back ground, told to stay in the pocket and let the lead/rhytym guitatist hold down the flow, but of late the Bass has taken the lead spot allowing the bassist to express him/her self like never before, so hang in there and if your fellow bassist in your congregation are stingy with sharing the knowledge, pray for them, then lock your self in the shed and create, allow what your feeling to be manifested through your axe.
God bless.
Al:rolleyes:

lovely...thats what i've been doing of late is just puttiing in some shed time.......i think i asked the same question in the private message you sent but no worries...

thanks again


d

Hmmmm...
 

"Held in the background???? Hmmm, not in my book! Drums and bass are the core; the foundation. It is from this everything else is built. Anyone saying that any other instrument is to "hold down the flow", is either clueless or probably the instrumentalist other than the bass or drums. ;)

Hey my brother I feel ya, but in the days of old the bass player not only stood in the background, he/she was considered the background. I'm glad that in this day in age the contributions of bass players old and new are now being recognized. :D

Hmmmm....
 

They may have stood or been considered the background, but the reality of it was and is, they were anything but that! The beauty of this is knowing now what we didn't choose to recognize then. Those players were and are the reason and influence's of why we do what we do today.

For me personally, you could place me in the back room, give me the mix I need in my ears and in the house, let me play and I would be perfectly ok with that. I promise you this, there would be no question as to whether or not you had a bass player in the house; that is, until you removed it. ;)

I can DIG-IT, stand up and feel the rumble. :cool:

Texas Style
 

Tim/Ronson, you both live in Texas, would you say that amoung the bassist in your area the Bass of choice is a Smith? if not then what type of bass do you most commonly see when you venture out on your engagements?

No......
 

No, I wouldn't say it's a Smith and I would attribute this to simply a lack of knowledge of the Smith bass in this area. I don't see one dominant choice at this time. At least not yet. Ken, are you reading this???

I am doing my part though to convert and it is having some impact! ;) Locally, I get calls from players interested in Smiths through those that know me and know I play Smiths exclusively. Given the extensive collection I have and have had, I have been able to fix them up! :)

Also, with the exposure I get playing and recording, I connect with those curious about my choice in bass. Of course, while they can see and hear the difference, I do share my feelings on the matter......:rolleyes: I even get calls from outside the state of Texas for the same reasons I stated above!

That was the original intent of my question, since I have been playing exclusively "Smith" basses, all my fellow bassist from neighboring churches have had an increased interest in "Smith" basses. They love the rich smooth sound that eludes from my WBT 5 Elite and they love the neck through design. In NY Ken Smith is very well known.

New Born "Smith"
 

Ronson what's the latest? is the new born "Smith" on its way :confused:

Still waiting....
 

At this time, Ronson is still in the 'patiently waiting' mode. Bridge not in yet. :(

Next Project
 

Thanks Tim, What's next on the schedule for your "Smith" axes ? are you back in the shed or the studio? also do you have any samples or mpegs posted anywhere so I can check out the master in action? Break a brother off a little sample.

What's next???
 

What's next? Other than playing weekly, nothing else in the works at this time. I've been busy this past several weeks with the purchase of some land (for future use). Just closed this past Wednesday, so, now it's back to the Bassics of life. Sorry, no samples to "break-off" at this time. ;)

Congrats on owning a piece of the rock, nothing like cutting your own grass, I assume the purchase is in the buckeye state. Well I got to get ready for P&W this palm Sunday so I'll get at ya later. Gods blessings upon you and yours.
Al :rolleyes:

Buckeye State?
 

The Buckeye State? Why would you assume this? :confused:

Ok, my demograhics must be off, what's Texas referred as? :confused:

Well.....
 

Well, it's funny you referred to the "Buckeye State" because I am from Ohio and I don't know how you could have possibly known that. :confused:

I think Texas is known as the "Hotter-Than-Hell" State....... :eek: .......better known as the "Lone Star State".

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I was just thinking that today...87 degrees! :eek:

Tim/Ronson I guess I put myself on blast on that one, things have been really crazy lately for the old NY boy, Just remember though I live in NY, I'm a country boy. Pray for me I need the prayers of the faithful right about now, It seems to be my season to weather the storm.
Al :o

Great News
 

I got the call today my CR 6 six string bass is on it's way home to Papa :D

I Got Your Back, Al!
 

Hey Al, I'm praying for you right now...

And, I got the call as well...My newest girl (Ken Smith Bass) is on the way! Photos to follow ASAP...:cool:

Well, well......
 

Well, well, I suspect we have a couple happy men this week, huh?? :D:D

Halleluhah
 

I receive that, and believe it as well, Ronson I don't know who I should be happier for you or myself, how about both. I thank you for your prayer I know it works I can feel the burden lifting as I type this response. I know the new "Smith" with be ministering as soon as this weekend. God had it planned that you should receive it in his appointed time.

A word and reminder......
 

Always remember!

Php 4:6......Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ;)

I constantly have to remind myself of this! :rolleyes:

Excellent verses for me to reflect on, thank you for your wisdom and direction. I need to take a step back and let God do what he does best.
Al :)

Excellent verse indeed, Tim. And,, may I add, an excellent response to the heart of the verse, Al! ;)

By the way, my Smith is in my town...somewhere! :cool:

Gratitude for True Fellowship
 

Its a great thing when men can fellowship one with another, I thank God for my newly founded "Smith" brothers.
Your wisdon, knowledge and bass skills collectively have enriched my life since inception. I thank you for who you both are.
Al :)