Ken Smith Basses Tone Making!!

[Dave Longenecker]

Originally Posted by Dennis Michaels

That can be a hard one to get people to listen with their ears instead of their eyes. I played a 1965 P bass for 23 years before finding Ken Smith... I have worked many sessions with the P bass and the first time I showed up with the Smith (at a studio that I have recoded about 10 albums in the past) the engineer said "where's your P bass?". I said it's in the bag. He siad "Oh really". My answer was "Can we just try this one before you wig out?" We did the album with the Smith. He informed me that there was nothing to eq or compress, the instrument was obviously made for recording because it is perfect. Now he loves the Smith's as much as I do. Give it time and forgive them for pre judging your tone. They will come around.

So Dennis - I know you're a passive mode fan - how much of your recordings is done in passive, and how much in active mode?

Also - what about "Live" playing situations.

Thanks for the reply!