Smith Basses

[Björn Wictor]

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

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Björn Wictor

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

I will go last..

[Björn Wictor]

Oh, the suspense!

[Tim Bishop]

Ok, I'll start....

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

[Jason Mendelson]

good question I have no idea!

[Björn Wictor]

No guesses at least?

[Jason Mendelson]

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!!!!

[Keiichi Miyamoto]

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

Maybe...

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Keiichi Miyamoto

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..

[Jason Mendelson]

Very creative

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

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

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

[Bob Faulkner]

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..

[Keiichi Miyamoto]

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.
:-)

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Keiichi Miyamoto

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.
:-)

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..

[Björn Wictor]

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

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!

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Björn Wictor

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

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!

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.

[Jens Westerinen]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

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 than several other companies started approaching him. I guess the 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..

When did the first BSR leave your shop, Ken? What year?
Saw a BSR that claimed to have been made -95 but never seen one that old.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Jens Westerinen

When did the first BSR leave your shop, Ken? What year?
Saw a BSR that claimed to have been made -95 but never seen one that old.

I would like to see that bass. My records show 1996 as the start of the actual BSR but there were a few models we made leading up to it between the BMT, BT and the BSR that were one-off models in progress.

[Jens Westerinen]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

I would like to see that bass. My records show 1996 as the start of the actual BSR but there were a few models we made leading up to it between the BMT, BT and the BSR that were one-off models in progress.

Sorry but don't have a pic of it and haven't been able to acquire the serial number yet.

About another thing. For how long have S/P-switches been an option?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Jens Westerinen

Sorry but don't have a pic of it and haven't been able to acquire the serial number yet.

About another thing. For how long have S/P-switches been an option?

Since about the early 1990's. They first became standard on the BMT models but were optional at first. Same with the EG, TN and GN models. First offered as an option and then became standard as the demand grew.