Hello, everyone. First-time poster here, though I've checked in from time to time.
I'm a bit late posting this, but I finally purchased my first Smith bass a few months ago after 25 years of hoping I could someday own one. I've wanted one ever since I sent away for a Smith catalog back in the early 80's and seeing a picture of Stanley Clarke on the cover holding this amazing looking Smith bass with all those crazy knobs and switches. (Anybody know the model?). I still have the catalog somewhere.
Anyway, I'm left handed, and it's a '94 CR4 lefty, and boy was it worth the wait. I'm not sure how long Ken has been offering lefties, but they are extremely rare to find, especially the 4 stringers. I also could never afford one, so I was lucky to find this one at a very reasonable price. And, to be perfectly honest, I never completely understood why anyone would pay boutique prices for an instrument when, "A simple Fender P or J will do the job." Well, ignorance is bliss, and now I know better. Nothing against a good 'ole classic Fender J, as I will be buried with my '72 lefty J, but there's simply no comparison. It's funny what you're willing to tolerate when you haven't experienced anything else. My new CR4 is just amazing in every respect, from feel, comfort, tone, and playability, and especially build.
I have owned or have played many other high end instruments such as Alembic, Spector, Wal, Pedulla, etc. But while other basses can be impressive in their own rite I don't think I've ever found a bass that didn't have some minor annoyance or idiosyncrasy. (Why does Rickenbacker still insist on using that crappy outdated bridge?!). Well I'm happy to say that the Smith is perfect. It really feels and plays effortless, and I'm playing better than ever. (There's your new slogan, Ken: "Smith Basses - Bet you didn't know you could be this good."
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