Hotter signal?

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Jim Gorman

I have an '86 BT5, 3 knobber with lots of miles on it. It plays like a Smith should, all 'buttery' and such. It's made a better player out of me and I love it. Finger runs, slapping and tapping are a breeze but I want a hotter, more 'responsive to touch' kind of signal. Could this be age- related electronics and/or pickups? Any suggestions?

Jim, if that bass in fact does have a "mid-sweep" as you stated in another post, a modification occurred to your bass. Do you know if the pre-amp is the original Smith pre-amp? Does it have a battery? If it does have a battery, you have the active circuit. If it does have a battery, make sure it is fresh.

Also, whether the bass is active or passive, I would suggest to ensure your strings are fresh (I would use Smith TCRM's), set-up is correct for you, then adjust your individual string pole pieces on each p/u such that you are getting the maximum pull from the p/u's without getting distortion. If you are not sure how to do this, find someone who is. It's not hard, you just need to know what you are doing. Or, send it in to Ken and have him look at it for you.

[Ken Smith]

The 1986 BTs had an Active 2-band concentric bs/tr circuit. No mid, no trim pot. Nothing to adjust other than to have the bass in its best possible condition.

We had also made some passive Basses from 1980 to '86 or so with a passive circuit, no battery in side. We made these in both NY and PA. Most were made in NY. These had one large knob and two small ones and one or two switches. Stand-by at the end and Phase in the middle. Some might be without the phase and some might not have a switch at all. I can't remember all the versions. The Stand-by was great for doublers, putting the Smith down to play the upright bass with out touching any controls and leaving it plugged in, no battery to drain.

Unless I see the Bass in question, I am at a loss to comment further in this particular Bass.

[Ken Smith]

The Bass is pictured with him playing it.. My Bad.. That is the BT concentric..

Never mind...

[Bill Bernhard]

Not to derail this thread, but i was just going to comment.
I had a '85 BT4 set neck with the passive set up. That standby was very cool indeed. Even the phase was useful as an effect, with the blend rolled off center. At times i wish i could have kept it, but i really wanted a 5 and active so i traded for a BSR5 that i love more every day. One note that suprises me is that the BSR 5 set flat sounds very similar to the BT 4 even though one is active and one is passive.
Bill

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Bill Bernhard

One note that suprises me is that the BSR 5 set flat sounds very similar to the BT 4 even though one is active and one is passive.

That's because when you have your BSR5 set flat, you're not really using the benefits of the active circuit. So, what you are stating would stand to reason. Good observation though.

[Jim Gorman]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I should also state that I play with a high 'C' rather the a low 'B'. Like I said, I've got a lot of playing time on this bass. I am enclosing some close-up shots that might help tell my story better.

P.S. It's an'87 BT5, sorry for the mistake.

Thanks again, Jim

[Bob Faulkner]

Man you weren't kidding when you said that bass has had some miles put on it.. Have you had it since new? There's a lot of blood, sweat, and tears in that finish!

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Jim Gorman

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I should also state that I play with a high 'C' rather the a low 'B'. Like I said, I've got a lot of playing time on this bass. I am enclosing some close-up shots that might help tell my story better.

P.S. It's an'87 BT5, sorry for the mistake.

Thanks again, Jim

Ahh... The Snow Flake years... I remember them well..