My 'Neck' of the 'Woods'!

[Bob Faulkner]

It's very hard to describe tone in a text format. Woody to me means more of resonant, clear tone. I would describe warmth as a nice rounded sound spanning from deep lows to high-mids (not overly favoring a particular range too much). So subjective


Hmm, now I'm wondering about a flame maple core, ebony laminates and figured walnut top and back with maple neck and morado stringers. (same neck on my current Smith, no complaints with it so why mess with perfection I guess)

Ever used ebony laminates? Does it make the bass too heavy? What other woods would you recommend both tonally, and visually (contrast) as laminates in that configuration? I'm interested in a strong low end, so maybe bubiga? Not sure how that would contrast with walnut and maple though.

I know I'm working you over on this but at some point in the next few years I'm going to be looking for a new 5 string fretless, and kinda want to get the details hashed out now so I know what to look forward to.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner

It's very hard to describe tone in a text format. Woody to me means more of resonant, clear tone. I would describe warmth as a nice rounded sound spanning from deep lows to high-mids (not overly favoring a particular range too much). So subjective


Hmm, now I'm wondering about a flame maple core, ebony laminates and figured walnut top and back with maple neck and morado stringers. (same neck on my current Smith, no complaints with it so why mess with perfection I guess)

Ever used ebony laminates? Does it make the bass too heavy? What other woods would you recommend both tonally, and visually (contrast) as laminates in that configuration? I'm interested in a strong low end, so maybe bubiga? Not sure how that would contrast with walnut and maple though.

I know I'm working you over on this but at some point in the next few years I'm going to be looking for a new 5 string fretless, and kinda want to get the details hashed out now so I know what to look forward to.

I have done Bubinga in place of Mahogany Lams but Ebony being an oily wood would not be my first choice for that. Also, we make all of our own veneers so double re-sawing a 1" piece of Ebony will not be cheap along with the wood itself. We make good sounding Bass so why not just choose from what we have done already with proven results. Design mistakes can be VERY expensive.

[Bob Faulkner]

Ok so ebony is out as a laminate then.

I'm picking your brain because you know these things through experience where I don't. I just like to have a bass this expensive custom tailored for me. You don't offer much leeway in your custom builds other than wood selection so I'm going custom the only place you will .. With my 4 I had you build it with a Koa core with quilted maple top/back and let you pick the laminate. You picked walnut for the laminate. (my bass sounds so nice too!)

What is your impression of the flame maple core, bubinga laminates, and claro walnut top/back. Think there would be a good enough visual contrast between the walnut and bubinga?

I have so many different ideas and not sure what would work and what wouldn't. I'm sure I want a good figured walnut top/back this time, perhaps maple laminates. What do you think would make a good core wood that would both be a good visual contrast to those 2 woods in that configuration and really reinforce the low end character of the bass while not being too heavy?

I'm really working out a configuration I plan to order from ya in a few years. My wife and I are on track to get totally out of debt in a couple of years after which we're saving up a ton of cash and splurging on something for ourselves. My splurge is going to be another new Smith =)

She's still thinking on hers.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner

Ok so ebony is out as a laminate then.

I'm picking your brain because you know these things through experience where I don't. I just like to have a bass this expensive custom tailored for me. You don't offer much leeway in your custom builds other than wood selection so I'm going custom the only place you will .. With my 4 I had you build it with a Koa core with quilted maple top/back and let you pick the laminate. You picked walnut for the laminate. (my bass sounds so nice too!)

What is your impression of the flame maple core, bubinga laminates, and claro walnut top/back. Think there would be a good enough visual contrast between the walnut and bubinga?

I have so many different ideas and not sure what would work and what wouldn't. I'm sure I want a good figured walnut top/back this time, perhaps maple laminates. What do you think would make a good core wood that would both be a good visual contrast to those 2 woods in that configuration and really reinforce the low end character of the bass while not being too heavy?

I'm really working out a configuration I plan to order from ya in a few years. My wife and I are on track to get totally out of debt in a couple of years after which we're saving up a ton of cash and splurging on something for ourselves. My splurge is going to be another new Smith =)

She's still thinking on hers.

In a couple of years and your having me write this 'book' now? Talk about a starving writer!.. kidding..

Ok, we make that combination all the time but with Mahogany as the laminate and not Bubinga. Do not try to tailor the sound with a 1/8" laminate. It doesn't do that much for the sound BUT it should be compatable density wise and that's why we have these three flavors: Chocolate(Walnut), Vanilla(Maple), and Strawberry(Mahogany)!

No Bananas 'n' Cream, sry..

I would suggest Walnut T&B, Mahogany core and Maple Laminates. I know you want something special but after 5400 Basses, we just keep making the same sauce because it tastes so good!. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"!!

When you are ready, call me and we will see what we can do to 'spice up your dish'. Each piece of Walnut has different grain and figure so in a way, it will be a one-of-a-kind.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

I would suggest Walnut T&B, Mahogany core and Maple Laminates. I know you want something special but after 5400 Basses, we just keep making the same sauce because it tastes so good!. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"!!

Yep, dat be a great combo! Along with that one, I have a few favorites: Probably my favorite would be Coco T&B, Maple Core or Walnut Core, with Maple or Walnut Lams. Oh yeah, and give me that in a 7&7 please!

[Craig Courtney]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Yep, dat be a great combo! Along with that one, I have a few favorites: Probably my favorite would be Coco T&B, Maple Core or Walnut Core, with Maple or Walnut Lams. Oh yeah, and give me that in a 7&7 please!

Well,
I'm an advocate of Walnut over Maple and a newly converted "Smithee".
I did my first show with my first Smith BSR 5TN .
Even though I have to re-learn how to play my bass because this thing
actually reacts to everything and anything you do on it.
The bass is intoxicating.
It takes a fraction of the effort with the right hand to do anything and everything because it responds like nothing I have ever played or heard.

The B string is a thing of beauty. Rich and deep but not overwhelming like every other 5'er I've played.

The best way to describe it is like strapping yourself into a Ferrari.
The bass responds up and down the spectrum to everything you do.

My sound engineer even commented that no matter where I played
on the neck, the volume was even and smooth and every note could be heard unlike all of my other basses.

It used to take so much effort to get those upper notes to sound out
but now I have to remind myself to just back off, play the notes, and trust the instrument. I'm not used to a bass that responds this well to whatever you need to do.

Is it the construction of the neck?
Setup of the neck?
The pickups?
Combination of both?
All three?

Ahhhhh.....
Wait....
It's got to be Ken's "Secret Sauce".

Crown and Diet coke for me, I don't have to drive my bass
again for three or four days.
Are there any laws against that?

[Tim Bishop]

All of the above.

[Jack Jackson]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

In a couple of years and your having me write this 'book' now? Talk about a starving writer!.. kidding..

Ok, we make that combination all the time but with Mahogany as the laminate and not Bubinga. Do not try to tailor the sound with a 1/8" laminate. It doesn't do that much for the sound BUT it should be compatable density wise and that's why we have these three flavors: Chocolate(Walnut), Vanilla(Maple), and Strawberry(Mahogany)!

No Bananas 'n' Cream, sry..

I would suggest Walnut T&B, Mahogany core and Maple Laminates. I know you want something special but after 5400 Basses, we just keep making the same sauce because it tastes so good!. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"!!

When you are ready, call me and we will see what we can do to 'spice up your dish'. Each piece of Walnut has different grain and figure so in a way, it will be a one-of-a-kind.

Ken,

Wow, this has been an educational thread! Even more so, it's convinced me to put my money on the table. For a used 2008 BSR4TN, that is. I can't afford a new one just yet, but one day your "book" will pay off. I'd never heard of your basses until 2 months ago. And I was about to spend my money on a Victor Bailey Jazz...

It's been a 40-year learning curve!

Jack

[Bob Faulkner]

You won't be disappointed.. I've had my Smith for pushing 7 years, and to this day, through all of the instruments I've picked up and played in that time, I can't wait to put them down and play my Smith again. It just feels right. It plays effortlessly. It sounds simply amazing.

I think I've settled on getting a BSR5TNE unlined fretless with 7 piece body wings when I get ready to splurge again.

[David Powell]

Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner

I know I'm working you over on this but at some point in the next few years I'm going to be looking for a new 5 string fretless, and kinda want to get the details hashed out now so I know what to look forward to.

Uh, yeah, I'll just have one of what he's having. Where's the end of the line?