Smith Bass Design and its History (The on-line Book in the making)

[Jose Bichoff]

Just out of curiosity, would you describe, in each 100 basses made, how many percent are 4-string, 5, 6 and 7?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Jose Bichoff

Just out of curiosity, could you describe, in each 100 basses made, how many percent are 4-string, 5, 6 and 7?

Can I or will I?

More 5s than 6s but some years it's close. About 60/40 on average.

In the last 20 years or so the 4s average from 10% on the low end to 20% at the highest.

The 7s number only 49 to date in total. That is less than 3 a year since we made the first so that model is not in the mix. We make them when we have orders. We only make the 7s in the Elite version.

[Jose Bichoff]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Can I or will I?

Thanks for correcting me
Unlike wine or your basses, it seems that my English is not improving over time my bad
Hope you understand

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Jose Bichoff

Thanks for correcting me
Unlike wine or your basses, it seems that my English is not improving over time my bad
Hope you understand

It wasn't a correction of your wording. I meant that to answer you I have to go back and count them to figure this it. It so happens that earlier today I counted the last 12 months of sales for next years projections and had it handy on my desk. The 7s I have a list of all by themselves. If not I would have answered 10/50/38/2% from 4 to 7 and left it at that. I just got back from a gig and came in to drop off my bass so I am quite tired and have to get back in early tomorrow. It's now or whenever with an answer like that..

[Tim Bishop]

Ken,

What was your reasoning behind the 2 over 3 peg-head design?

Tim B.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Ken,

What was your reasoning behind the 2 over 3 peg-head design?

Tim B.

In my mind, it comes from double basses starting sometime in the 19th century. The lower gears moved up a slot and the higher ones down. I see this from France a lot and partly from Germany. The theory I believe is that the thicker or thickest strings needs more after-length and decreased break-over angle.

German examples both ways;

French examples both ways;

Also, I had some requests for the reverse gears on the 5s from my Distributor in Japan and then put it on the 25th models. Soon after I made it standard. You can still order a bass with the older 3/2 configuration.

[Tim Bishop]

Interesting. With the 2/3, do you think there is a better distribution of tension across the nut and neck/fretboard?