Ken, I'm Enjoying My Smith!
 

Folks,

I received my first Ken Smith Bass Tuesday morning! I was so excited, I took a photo of the UPS guy bringing the box to my door! :D

It's a BSR5MW with Cocobolo front & back, and Tiger Maple core. I got the parallel switches as well. It's a beautiful thing! I played it at church for the first time tonight (Praise Team rehearsal), and the response from the other musicians was classic! :cool:

I've got some "HTTP 500 Server Error" that pops up everytime I try and upload photos I've taken of it, so I'll try and figure that out soon so I can show it here, and upgrade my avatar.

Ken, thank you for such a fine instrument. Of all the basses I've played and handled, this is the most beautiful I've ever held. I plan on getting another Smith or two ASAP to add to my collection, but I'm sure that this first one will be with me until I leave this earth. It's special to me.

Also, thanks to Don! And thanks for the "special attention" you paid to a first time customer. I'm enjoying everything!

Some stunning instruments being shown here!! :D

My Smith Basses
 

1995 CR6GF Flame Maple (Lined Fretless)
1997 BSR6G Tiger Maple
Though I'm very happy with this lineup I may add a Walnut Smith 6
someday for variety.

"Besides the craftsmanship and flawless execution of the design, I've always been drawn to the "wood pile". The significance of aged seasoned woods in creating instruments that will last a lifetime is overlooked by too many makers in my opinion. I like necks that require little to no adjustment season to season and that remain true as a straight rule. The Smith's deliver!"

There's my endorsement........unpaid endorsement I should add.

Bt5g
 

I Love your collection of smith basses. I really love the BT. I have a 89 (3 knobber) just like it!!

Very impressive collection of Smith 6 string basses, do you by chance also own any of the WBT 5 Elite editions?

Thank you. Your CR-6 in Ebony is amazing looking.

I can't say that I do(own a WBT 5 Elite). I've only owned 6's. Actually never played a 5'er.
Went from 4 to 6 back in 1994 and stayed there. Not opposed to 5's, but
for me 6's feel like home.

I totally agree, and that's the reason I've listed my 4 string for sale, its to nice of an instrument to just be sitting around. I am so comfortable playing 5, and 6 string until I very rarely pick up my 4.

Absolutely...I'd still like a 4 string Jazz bass around for when I need "that" sound but my Smith ERB's cover everything else I need.

This is pretty much my approach as well. The Smiths are first call and whatever tone they can't deliver gets covered by the 4 strings (Alembic Series 1, Celinder Update 4 or '78 Musicman Stingray). Can't think of a more versatile set up.

beautiful bass!

do they not make the inlayed strap locks anymore?

They sure do, Jason, but only for the neck-thru models. I believe the catalyzed lacquer finish is reserved for the neck-thru's as well, making them (as they should be) an even more exclusive acquisition indeed!

However, until I get my first neck-thru ((elite Tiger in my sights next), my Lola (that's my new bass) is officially the best sounding, best built thing since Oreo cookies. :cool:

Ahh, but my Smith fretless is my 4 string. I have a Brice 5 fretless and a Dean Edge 5 I play as well, but I keep coming back to my Smith. I'll likely play it until I get my next Smith, which will be a 5. Then depending on the Smith 5, I may not have reason to play my 4 anymore. If that day comes it will be put in a Plexiglas case and hung on my living room wall as art. I'm just too attached to sell it.

My sentiments concerning the 5-string that my new Smith replaced, Bob!

It's an Ibanez 5 Paduk/Bubinga thing. It's the only thing I could afford 14 years ago ($700.00), and it's treated me very well. Not long after getting it, I replaced the J-style stock pickups with Seymour Duncans, then EMG's, and finally, I found part of the answer in the Bartolini's.

I've already had two offers to buy old Betsy (the Ibanez). But, like you, I'll probably just hang it up somewhere, or give it to my grandson when he gets old enough to be interested in the Bass. It got me through a long period of time in admirable fashion.

However, nothing plays or sounds like a Ken Smith. Nothing.

Well, my 1st bass was a cheap piece of junk Lotus. That bass never gets played. It currently sits in it's case in a closet, but it will be in my casket with me when I die.

The Smith (or Smiths) will be passed on to either my brother or kids as heirlooms.

No room.....
 

Bob, no room for the rig? :eek:

Well, if you removed the baffling and speakers you could probably fit me inside the 810 cab.. But no, I'm being put into a mausoleum slot that is just large enough for my wife and I to be together. The Lotus can lay on me in the casket.. No need for the rig as I won't be playing the Lotus anymore at that point, besides, it might wake the dead..

So why the Lotus?
 

LOL, and there would be a need for the Lotus at that point? So, Bob, what is so special about the Lotus? Do you have a photo you could share with us?

That's easy. It was my first bass. It's the bass I first learned to play on, and the bass that helped to change the direction of my life to being a musician. I'm just a sentimental fool..

Old pic but it basically looks the same now.

http://torment.treborlogic.com/lotusw.jpg

Where's the pic?
 

Where's the pic?

Nurse! Fetch the spankatron, he's having a relapse!!

Oh no!
 

"Spankatron"!? :eek: Oh no! Not the spankatron!!! :eek:

Can you not see the pic Tim?

I can now...
 

Yes sir. Not sure what was going on before as I could not see it, but I can now. Looks like a nice little bass. Thx Bob! :)

It's not.. It's crap. It's made like crap, plays like crap, sounds like crap. The only reason I haven't chopped it up and used it for firewood is sentiment.

I wonder what kind of fire it would make...? ;)

An undoubtedly crappy one.

My smith
 

Not sure if you intended to include a pic, but if so, I can't see it!

Hmmm I edit my post!! The pic's URL is from Korean web site!! I guess the reason why the pic do not work!!

Looks good to me. Bet that ebony makes it a little on the heavy side, huh? I used to own an Alembic Elan 6 with macassar ebony facings and it nearly killed me to put it on!

Oh Steve! My KS is not heavy!! It's more lighter than Jazz bass(alder!)
I don't know What kind of magic Ken Smith made!!
But I'm sure that my ebony KS is enough to play in heavy concert for 3 or 4 hours
And, I have played my KS in standing position every weekend!!

:eek:

Lighter than a jazz? ;)

I don't believe it! :D

I would show how light my KS is tomorrow or the day after tomorrow~
(kgs and lbs)

need a bigger pic Dennis!

my baby at home
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...y/IMG_0963.jpg



My babys prior to leaving Ken's


http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...IMG_0286AB.jpg

Are these better?

Are these better?
 

The pics look great to me. :D

Too many codes...Too little time:confused: lol

Much better indeed!