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

[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?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

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

I don't know. I never measured it.