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Ken's Response...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Duarte (Post 4187)

Hi,

Your reply was exactly why I bought a Ken Smith over the other countless options in the market. There are very good luthiers going around, but many don't cover many of the aspects you mentioned.

Thanks again,

Martin

Martin, just FYI: When you initiate a reply, like "Ken's response" that you are replying to, always click on the "Quote" button first of that initial respondent. That way, everyone will know what your reply is related to. Make sense? :)

Was looking at the website Ken, gotta say I've fallen in love with that (BSR)4TNE fretless. That is an amazing looking bass. If I ever get to a point where I can really afford to get into the handmade bass market...that is at the top of my list right now.

Here's an un-educated question... :)
What does the different model abbreviations (BSR, BT, CR etc.) stand for?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Björn Wictor (Post 10021)

Here's an un-educated question... :)
What does the different model abbreviations (BSR, BT, CR etc.) stand for?

I will go last..:D

Oh, the suspense! :D

Ok, I'll start....

BMT - Bass, Midrange, Treble.
CR - Chuck Rainey.

good question I have no idea!

No guesses at least? :D

Ive been thinking of this and I have no idea...

its really been kickin my ass!

Come on Ken, let us know!

BMT
BSR
BT

AHHHH!!!!

BT; Bass and Treble
CR; Chuck Rainey
BMT; Bass, Mid, and Treble
BSR; Body Shape Revised
Fusion; Fusion of BSR and BMT

Maybe...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keiichi Miyamoto (Post 10071)

BT; Bass and Treble
CR; Chuck Rainey
BMT; Bass, Mid, and Treble
BSR; Body Shape Revised
Fusion; Fusion of BSR and BMT

Maybe...

VERY very close.. As I recall, the BSR and the CR had slightly different names from what you've posted.

On the CR, Chuck Rainey's name was NEVER used in any form of marketing, advertisement or catalog. As a matter of fact, the first group of 28 Basses and the only group made were designed and completed before Chuck and I ever spoke about it. The 'C.R.' initials actually has another name but was only mentioned 'in-house'. When we mentioned the Chuck Rainey name there after we had to tell the Dealers who Chuck Rainey was. Some Bass players knew him but most didn't including the Dealers who seemed to need most of the educating. It was after Chuck was named a Smith Endorser that several other companies started approaching him. I guess they figured that if I thought he was worth endorsing then they would go after him as well. This has happened with us with other Smith players that were approached by companies but usually unsuccessfully on their part. The Necks and Bodies were made as universal fit like a production. The only problem was that some Necks would only fit 'some' of the Bodies. I had to personally match up the Fits back in the NYC Office/Shop where all the Set-ups were done until mid-1995 when we moved the entire operation out to PA.

CR = Crunch Resonator ... CR is so much easier to say and if Chuck Rainey was playing one (2 actually) then why not 'dub' it the Chuck Rainey model? Actually, he had nothing to do with the inception of the Smith Bolt-on Bass. The first initials thought of were actually B.T.B.O.. meaning B.T. (Bass Treble like the BT model) Bolt-On.. B.T. Bolt-On..

The BSR is also close. Body Shape Re-designed. 'Revised' is a possibility but just not the 'exact' word we chose.

Something tells me you had some help with your answers. ;)

Good Job either way..

Very creative ;)

As long as they are still the best basses made they can be called what ever you want :D

But BMT is my favorite flavor, Bit Meaty and Tasty!

But when it comes down to it they are cool names...

BSR all the way man.. I love that top horn.. If there was not a BSR option, I quite possibly wouldn't own a Smith right now..

Mr.Ken Smith >Something tells me you had some help with your answers.

Yes.Yes.Yes.
A friend of mine. He helps me all the things regarding Smith Bass.
And He supports many many bass players in Japan. Many, many.
:-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keiichi Miyamoto (Post 10086)

HAJIMEeeeeeeee!;)

If there is one person in the world to answer questions about my History, Hajime would be at the top of the list..

Wakarimasta..

Ah, thanks Ken, now I can sleep peacefully at night again! :D

Now, there's one more question:

"Custom"...

I own a BT5-custom. What does "custom" mean in this case? Something tells me it's not "custom ordered"...

Thanks a mil!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Björn Wictor (Post 10103)

Just a name. Standard, Deluxe, Custom.. denotes level of features and cost, not Quality. Quality is the same in out Basses just less or more features and work done.

About Neck stability...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Smith (Post 43)

We tried two rods in the first few Smith 6s back in the 80s. There is more possibility that a player can hurt or ruin a neck than he can adjust it. The best method we found was a stable even neck with aged multi laminated woods and Graphite reinforced rods with a single doubled truss rod that we have been using from the start.

As far as adjustable Nut (saddle), I see no reason for it if the Nut is made correctly to begin with. Again, the more adjustable parts, the more things can loosen and the more a player can ill-adjust his Bass.

We see this a lot when Basses come in for set-ups. If it's movable, people mess with it!

Glad to hear you are enjoying your Bass.

Ken, you mentioned the words 'stable' and 'even' in describing the qualities of a good bass neck. Could you go into detail? It seems to me, particularily with a 6 string, that two truss rods would be a neccessity given the extra tension of six bass strings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Hall (Post 10404)

Ken, you mentioned the words 'stable' and 'even' in describing the qualities of a good bass neck. Could you go into detail? It seems to me, particularly with a 6 string, that two truss rods would be a necessity given the extra tension of six bass strings.

Two Rods? :eek:

If the string pull is even and the Neck has even stability across it's width then it should pull forward and back evenly. Adjustment from the center is just fine.

Two Rods can cause more trouble than they can solve. Just a slight mis-adjustment and over time the Neck will twist and maybe stay that way. NOT a good thing in my book. If the Neck needs two rods then something is wrong. We only use 1 Rod in the 7s as well. Not a single problem has been reported in over 15 years since we made our first 7-string for Melvin Davis.

The way I designed my 6-String Bass Necks and the way we make them in the Shop, have not have any problems that point to any changes needed as far as structure goes. The Smith Necks in general from day 'one' after almost 30 years going now have proven themselves by just 'being'. It is very rare that we hear about Neck problems concerning our Basses under normal usage.

'Stable' and 'Even' are words by definition that relate to my method of construction.