'The Comfort Factor'

[Steve_M]

For me, the necks are critical. I like the Smith necks, they're chunky and my hand doesn't cramp up as much. However, the action isn't as low as on my other basses though and this is also important as I have a light touch. Maybe I need to get the frets re-dressed or something.

String spacing is important too. I prefer narrow spacing (around 16.5mm at the bridge) but enhancements that let a player customise the set up to their taste have to be a good thing. On one of my other basses I have 'compensated' string spacing where the gaps between the strings stay the same, despite the string getting thinner as they go across the fingerboard. This is a really, really nice bit of design for helping to make the bass feel consistent across the strings. I'd also like a bridge which allows 3d movement of the strings and an adjustable nut like that on Warwick basses.

The other important aspect for me is body width. I'm a big bloke (6'4") although not as big as some, and enough body width allows my forearm to get support when I need it. I accept thats not to everyone's taste but there again Fender Jazz basses are relatively wide and we all know how popular they are.

[Gilbert Zarate]

Roberto, great suggestion! I would agree 100%. Not that Smith's aren't already comfortable but this would certainly give the option for better playability. And not just as a 'more is better' mentality, because I think a Smith is already great and little to no improvements are needed, but this one suggestion I think would make a world of difference. I personally have thought of this before, to me the current location is just a bit too high and can see where a lower placement of the straploc would be beneficial. I also like Tim's idea of making it an 'option'.

Ken- have you all experimented with this at all? Any reason why it would/wouldn't work? Could this be made into an option?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Gilbert Zarate

Roberto, great suggestion! I would agree 100%. Not that Smith's aren't already comfortable but this would certainly give the option for better playability. And not just as a 'more is better' mentality, because I think a Smith is already great and little to no improvements are needed, but this one suggestion I think would make a world of difference. I personally have thought of this before, to me the current location is just a bit too high and can see where a lower placement of the straploc would be beneficial. I also like Tim's idea of making it an 'option'.

Ken- have you all experimented with this at all? Any reason why it would/wouldn't work? Could this be made into an option?

You are replying to 6 year old comments. Look at the dates these were posted. lol

What is your question?

[Gilbert Zarate]

Yes, I saw that when I was posting. Lol! I started looking at some old threads and this one really intrigued me, lol. I know I haven't seen anything like this in 6yrs but thought I'd ask anyway, didn't know if this had ever been experimented.


Sorry for reviving old, super old threads. I guess I've been excited about my new (new to me) BSR5TN that I've only had for a couple of weeks, haha!

[Roberto Zecchinelli]

Originally Posted by Gilbert Zarate

Roberto, great suggestion! I would agree 100%. Not that Smith's aren't already comfortable but this would certainly give the option for better playability. And not just as a 'more is better' mentality, because I think a Smith is already great and little to no improvements are needed, but this one suggestion I think would make a world of difference. I personally have thought of this before, to me the current location is just a bit too high and can see where a lower placement of the straploc would be beneficial. I also like Tim's idea of making it an 'option'.

Ken- have you all experimented with this at all? Any reason why it would/wouldn't work? Could this be made into an option?

I'm glad you like it, Gilbert!
I really love this little mod!!.