|
Would you change a Smith?
I thought this would be a very interesting topic. What would you want to see on your dream Smith bass (something that Ken doesn't currently provide), or what changes would you like to see Ken make to his current designs?
For me? I can only think of one thing I would ask Ken to change and while it is a minor one, it would be this: I'm not certain on the 4-String Smith, however, on the 5's and MD-7's, I would like to see the Truss Rod Cover be redesigned such that the screw holes are positioned such as the 6-String Basses. On the 6's you can easily remove the Truss Rod Cover without de-tuning and moving the strings aside to get to the bottom 2 screws. While I realize it would be a design change to the truss rod cover, it would sure ease the pain of adjusting the neck when necessary. Other than this, I can't begin to think of any other reason to mess with perfection. Ok, your turn. Let's hear your input on this. |
Screw holes..
Tim, I have this same problem. I used to put the TR Cap on after the Bass was strung up and had to take off 2 of the Strings partially. Then I decided that after the Nut was made and Neck tension tested with the set-up Strings I would then drill the holes and put the TR Cap on to hold the Nut in place and put a fresh set of Strings on then.
This is the way we do it now and have been doing for over 10 years at the Bench. I know it's a pain in the butt to pull 2 Strings off the Nut for adjustments but there isn't much room to do it a different way. Some people that need to make adjustments more often just have one screw at the top holding the Cap on. If that works for you then fine. Other than that, the Neck isn't something that should be fooled with except when needed. |
Ahh, I was wondering how you handled this with your final set-ups.
While I agree it can be a PITB, it is a rarity that I would ever need to make a neck adjustment, particularly since I am consistent with the gauge of strings I use. Also, with my basses stored in a humidity controlled environment or even when the basses are stored in their case, I rarely have a need for an adjustment given the stability of your necks. Ken, while the TR Cap was the only thing I could think of to get this thread jump-started, I do have an idea on what I think would be a simple mod to the TR Cap that would eliminate the need for the bottom 2 screws. Let me know if you are interested in hearing it, that is, if you haven't already thought of it yourself. |
The only thing I would like to see done is customied Truss Rod covers. I know that the name "Smith" goes there, but I am very weird. I like everything to be mine. If not on the truss rod, like on the back on the electronics cover, I would of liked it say "Made for Desmund Nichols."
|
Assuming its purely a matter of personal preference, in an ideal world I'd like:
What I LOVE is
|
Ya that is along the lines of one of the customizations I wanted when I was ordering mine. I asked for for an abalone/MoP 'F' inlay at the 12th fret position as that's my last initial.
Ken shot it down. |
Desmund, Steve, and Bob. Thanks for your input!
Keep it comming guys! |
How 'bout a KS spin on the single cut design, and wood covered PU?
|
Single cut and Wood Covered P/U's?.....
Quote:
Hmmm, I'm guessing Ken will respond with a resounding 'Not gonna happen' and maybe refer you to someone like Alembic for this one. LOL! No way he's going to endorese this. |
Quote:
Wood covered pickups look ok, but I just don't see the need. I'm not sure if it would interfere with the magnetic field around the pickups or not. If it does it's dead out of the gates for me. At no point do I ever want to sacrifice anything in tone for pure looks. If it has no effect then I don't see a real problem with them other than maybe durability. Can't wait to see Ken's responses. |
Couldn't wait?
Quote:
Ok, here I am. We made Wooden cases for the PUs in the beginning (1979-1983) BUT, moved away from that. The reason is that it moves the magnetic field further from the strings and you loose volume. If made thin, the top of the cover might break or split.. Been there, done that.. no thank you.. have moved on.. NEXT!! Single Cut? WHY? Structurally, I think it's a 'stupid' idea. With all the concern about even neck Bow and adjustability you are going to LOCK it down on the low sting side while the treble strings pull and twist it from the other side? Is this to create tension in the neck to produce sounds the builder couldn't get by just making a good structural sonic Bass? I don't know who's idea this was actually but one time when I was fishing on a boat and all the other boats rushed to this splash in the water a few hundred yards away I asked my older friend, "Should we go over there and fish?" His reply was (in a wisdomish way) "One fool draws many!" If someone can't make a Bass with good neck structure, stability and tonal response, try this? Not in my book! |
Couldn't wait.....
Quote:
And there you have it. It just doesn't get any clearer than that! Ken, you never disappoint. I wish I could have written that response. ;) |
Well, he pretty much backed up every concern I had about wood covers on the pickups, and added a structural argument to backup my issues with the ergonomic and playability issues I had with single cut.
Works for me. |
The Master Has Spoken!
Quote:
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I LOVE Ken Smith already! After examining many basses and custom bass web sites, words cannot express how glad I am that this gentleman is building my bass. I plan on getting him to build me at least a couple more before I check out of here, Lord willing! :) |
Our not yet dearly departed Ronson......
Quote:
|
Quote:
LOL!!! Tim, you are good, and quick on the draw! I should've known you'd put that deal together! Well, seeing that turnabout is fair play, I see Our buddy Al has three, and you have waaaaaaaaaay more than three, so...we're all covered, huh? |
Lol!
Quote:
|
Quote:
No BS, and to the point. Since you shot down the SC & wood PUPS ideas, I'm curious as to what's in the horizon for new designs. It's been almost ten years since the BSR was introduced, and I'm such a big fan of your basses, so it would be nice to see what's in store for us. So what in store for us ? |
What's in store?
Quote:
For me: I'm hopin more of the same! Why fix or change something that's not broken? I'm playing a BT5G from 1992. I can't think of a bass on the market today that compares, except perhaps the latest Smith Fusion Elite 25th. Anniversary model. For me it's all about the feel, quality craftsmanship and sound. ;) Great question though! I'm looking forward to Ken's response. I'm sure I won't be surprised or disappointed. |
Quote:
|
DB Influences?
Quote:
Another thing I would add. Ken has 40+ years experience with the DB. A DB is 1,000 times more sensitive than an electric bass. Do you think Ken has drawn from and utilized that knowledge and experience with DB's into the design of his electric basses? I'm bettin he would say he has done just that. Oh, and keep in mind, some of these DB's date back as far as the late 1700's. That contribution is the major difference between Smith's and the Others. ;) |
Quote:
+1 on the DB thing. I can see alot of classic influences in his designs. |
I'm kinda interested in knowing Ken's thoughts on string-thru-body designs and if he has considered it for his basses.
|
String-thru Body Design.....
Quote:
Hey Bob, I think Ken is in the middle of a PA Ice Storm today. He's probably thinking about anything but a "string-thru-body" design at this point. |
String thru?
Quote:
I am happy with the resonance we get now from our Basses as well as the tone. I don't think an instrument of this level can be improved by drilling more holes in it and bending the String at 90% by the Bridge. |
And there you have it!
Quote:
And there you have it! Keep those question's and ideas comming! ;) |
Quote:
Truthfully, in all my bass playing years, I've never played a string-thru-body bass so I was hoping to get some insight from someone with more knowledge about the good, bad, and ugly sides of it. Some people swear by it. I really have no clue about what effect there is, if any. |
Quote:
|
Why?
Quote:
I mean, "yes Mr. Bass Builder, I'd like to order that 5-String and yes, I would prefer to have the extra holes cut into the body because it looks cool and I love bending the strings 90 degrees at the bridge too". :confused: |
Quote:
I think that's what Steve's getting at, Tim. If there's "no difference" sonically that comes from bending the strings 90 degrees at the bridge, then why insist on doing it? |
I think the theory was that through body stringing was supposed to add sustain to a vibrating string by anchoring it in a heavy mass.
However, because the string doesn't actually vibrate between the break point over the saddle and the anchor, the method of anchoring (so long as its fit for purpose) doesn't have much of a tonal impact. Its my understanding that how much mass the saddles have and the method by which the saddles are acoustically coupled (ie. in firm contact) with the bridge plate is much more important than anchoring. I guess the idea is to have a rigid structure (ie neck) and rigid, solid anchoring at the break points at either end of a string so that the vibrations of the string are mostly isolated. Can Ken confirm I'm on the right track? |
I suspected as such...
Quote:
I suspected that was what Steve was getting at, I just wanted to add my spin and a little more punch, I guess. ;) |
Thanks Steve
Quote:
What you are saying above is correct. Hope you didn't take my response the wrong way. Just wanted to add my 2-cents worth! :rolleyes: |
Quote:
Duly noted, Tim! :) |
Duly noted.....
Quote:
I need to remember to respond carefully. Too much ambiguity in the eThread world. :p |
right track?
Quote:
Hey, if I keep reading this stuff I might mess up what took me 30 years to get done.. Actually, most Basses with 3 feet of Paint as a finish needs all the help it can get to vibrate the wood buried down under somewhere. Stringing thru the body was thought by some to make the wood vibrate more. If our Bass or any other vibrates too much, the sound would be like 'mush' without definition. Think of all those old P Basses used in the 60s with ZERO sustain that sounded so good on recordings. Are we playing whole notes held out for 5 minutes at a time between notes? How much vibration do we need? Hit a note on any Bass you have and grab the headstock. Then feel the back below the bridge. You will see that even if it's made or Rock, it will vibrate to some degree. Even a half assed bass has vibration throughout. It's just, what are you vibrating? |
I might mess up....
Quote:
Please stop reading then, we don't want you to get messed up. :eek: Interesting Ken. This is good stuff. Great ****ogy on the "old P Basses" and everything following. |
Quote:
|
The right path......
Quote:
Steve, the main thing is that we realize we are never too old or to smart to learn. ;) |
Indeed.
We're lucky on bassworld.co.uk in having a forum specifically set up for budding luthiers. I tried a bass at our Bassworld Bash last weekend that was built by one of our contributors. I wasn't keen on the body shape but I was blown away by the sound - especially considering that the guy had built it in his garage. The neck was a combination of flamed maple and had two stringers of wenge running down either side with graphite reinforcement. It sounded crisp, warm, deep and growly. I was wondering if Ken's every experimented with wenge in the neck of a prototype Smith? |
| All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:53 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2007 - Ken Smith Basses, LTD. (All Rights Reserved)