First time showing off your bass in public

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Joshua Phelps

Does anyone else ever feel like when you pull out a bass like a smith that people expect a certain something from you? Like some crazy slap/tap solo with a 1000 notes? Kinda sketches me out when people (non bass players) approach me about a bass especially if i have the butterflies & have just arrived at the gig.

In the beginning (KSB), I was still gigging for a living. I had this small amp on stage for this gig and a Smith bass in hand. One of the guys in the band came over and said "wow, that sounds great. What amp is that?" .. I said, "it's not the amp, it's the bass". He looked at me like I was crazy. This is what I went thru in the beginning. Clueless people around me that had no idea a bass itself could be made and sound better.

[Joshua Phelps]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

In the beginning (KSB), I was still gigging for a living. I had this small amp on stage for this gig and a Smith bass in hand. One of the guys in the band came over and said "wow, that sounds great. What amp is that?" .. I said, "it's not the amp, it's the bass". He looked at me like I was crazy. This is what I went thru in the beginning. Clueless people around me that had no idea a bass itself could be made and sound better.

I agree 100%. Smith basses are works of art in every way even to sit & look at but just like our uprights at the end of the day these are the tools for our trade & the best ones in the business in my opinion & I bring these basses because they sound the best & that's what matters. I'm sure some guys do buy certain basses to wow people but I will never understand that. The beautiful presentation of smith basses is just a bonus to me. Having a smith as a collectors piece is ok I guess but it seems like putting a tiger in a cage (no pun intended) & these basses are built to be played.

[Frederick Schurger]

Originally Posted by Joshua Phelps

I agree 100%. Smith basses are works of art in every way even to sit & look at but just like our uprights at the end of the day these are the tools for our trade & the best ones in the business in my opinion & I bring these basses because they sound the best & that's what matters. I'm sure some guys do buy certain basses to wow people but I will never understand that. The beautiful presentation of smith basses is just a bonus to me. Having a smith as a collectors piece is ok I guess but it seems like putting a tiger in a cage (no pun intended) & these basses are built to be played.

Not quite in public, but I remember the weekend that I got my CR5G as well as one of Tobias' MTD's, comparing and contrasting them trying to figure out which one spoke to me, as this was my first 5-string. I got together with some old friends for a jam session, going back and forth between the basses, as we were comparing styles & sounds. Hands down it was the Smith that had the best punch. And even tho I'm not realizing that I need to be using BSR's for how I like to play (the CR5G is a vintage style), I don't plan on giving it up any time soon!!