My ken smith

[Brian Hewett]

Originally Posted by David Jay

Hello, i just picked this Ken Smith and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what this is. Instead of the normal lil Smith plate it has these metal things. It has been my dream for a long time to own a Ken Smith bass and got a good deal so i just bought it and happilly brought it home.

Wow, I love the really dark wood on it. I'm not sure what kind of wood it is but I think it looks great even though the bass seems to have been roughly handled by previous users. I bet it sounds great! I'm not sure what you mean by the "metal things" unless you are referring to the end of the truss rod which is normally covered by the missing plate. I would imagine, but I'm not sure, that you could purchase a new plate if you want to cover the end of the truss rod again. Perhaps you've already done that.
Good for you for finding the bass of your dreams and getting a good deal on it!

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Brian Hewett

Wow, I love the really dark wood on it. I'm not sure what kind of wood it is....

Based on pic, appears to be a 5 pc Body and 7 pc neck. Body top looks to be ebony with mahogany core and maple laminate.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Based on pic, appears to be a 5 pc Body and 7 pc neck. Body top looks to be ebony with mahogany core and maple laminate.

Look at the inside longer upper horn. You will see the thin walnut laminate between the maple and the mahogany. Back then, we used real sawn veneers, not quad split tops like we do now. The maple is carved at an angle with the top and looks wider than it is and the walnut is flatter on the edge blending in color with the mahogany.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Look at the inside longer upper horn. You will see the thin walnut laminate between the maple and the mahogany. Back then, we used real sawn veneers, not quad split tops like we do now. The maple is carved at an angle with the top and looks wider than it is and the walnut is flatter on the edge blending in color with the mahogany.

Ahh yes, I see it now.

[Tim Bishop]

Would the neck then be: Maple, Shedua, maple, bubinga, maple, shedua, maple?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Would the neck then be: Maple, Shedua, maple, bubinga, maple, shedua, maple?

Maple, Shedua, maple, bubinga, maple, shedua, maple Maple, Shedua, maple, bubinga, maple, shedua, maple Maple, Shedua, maple, bubinga, maple, shedua, maple Maple, Shedua, maple, bubinga, maple, shedua, maple Maple, Shedua, maple, bubinga, maple, shedua, maple ...

You're making me dizzy...

Maple with Bubinga center and the thin dark wood might be bubinga or even purpleheart or even shedua. I can't tell from these pictures, sorry.

[Anton Hasias]

Hi David,

To me it looks like a BMT6 Elite Cocobolo top.
The serial number can tell you more.

Best regards