Magazines & Advertising

[David Powell]

Originally Posted by Dennis Michaels

I have said before "wouldn't it be boring if everybody played the same gear?" If there was 1 perfect bass and amp for the world it would be less then eventful. I believe KSB are the best instrument built in any price range and I thank Ken for keeping them affordable in comparrison to some others. Tho not inexpensive by any means we are also not gouged either.

I've got to add a +1 to that. The build quality is superior to many that are more expensive. And then there are those that have a maker's name on it who never even saw that piece of wood and they try to get almost the same as a Smith costs for that. I think Ken has hit it just right on the value for price. And you can't beat the consistency of Ken's basses either. Other custom builders, you really might be taking a chance. That's not everyone else, but Ken is nearly in a class by himself as far as consistent extremely high quality.

[Dennis Michaels]

I was actually posed a question a few days ago. "I was looking at magazine at all the "custom" builders so why didn't have a one of a kind disigned by you bass built"? I told him I did... my KSB. With KSB you get a one of a kind bult for you bass. I don't want somwthing in the shape of a machine/italy/fire plug... I want a classy instrument that I will NEVER play well enough to find a short coming if it even has one.
P.S. I read "Fly Fishing" mags.

[Bob Faulkner]

The KSB web site was my main source of info when I was looking to buy my bass. I found it because I had played and admired a used 5 string Smith at Guitar Center while placing an order for a custom Jackson bass. When Jackson royally screwed up my order I remembered that experience with the Smith and searched out the site. After a couple of days of research I was specing out my custom bass with Ken on the phone and never looked back..

[Charles Federle]

I think I might be one of the oldest fashion here in that I pretty much only use word of mouth to decide what I want to buy. Granted since I have a bass that I am very happy with it is almost only other stuff that I might be looking at now (strings and such). But, the only thing I use magazines and the internet for at least with music purchases is to find out about new things and then I would go track down someone that I know is knowledgeable about X product. The other major source of course for me is places like ISB, at the exhibition halls I was very happy to get to play on more bass and bows then I can count.

For electric stuff it has been the same way, granted my electric sits in the corner more then it is played I am afraid, it was through word of mouth that I went out and tried and bought this bass. Which is a Peavey Foundation, which is more then enough instrument then I need, granted one of my friends has a KSB and it is only after playing on his that I would consider owning one now myself.

[Dennis Michaels]

I found, played and fell in love with my '03 Tiger Maple 5 in INdy in April of '06. After buying that one, ordering a fretless was an easy decisin. Now I play fretless on all but 1 gig I do. To own it is to believe... next time I may opt for the switches tho'