Smith Woods "The Vault"

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner

Very interesting. I'm hoping to put in an order for a fretless BSR5EG or BSR5TNE with some of that exhibition grade walnut.

I think it will make a great compliment to my BSR4EG lined fretless which I ordered with AAAA quilted maple top, but I swear I can't fathom how this isn't exhibition grade.. 7 years later and I'm still in love with this quilt as is everyone who sees it!

Well, when I pick the woods it is in the Raw, unfinished. I spray it with quick drying Naphtha to get an idea of how it will look under finish. More often than not, they look better especially when Lacquered. In your case as with other Basses, I would rather give a grade slightly higher than slightly lower. If a 4A, turns out to look like a 5A, then that's ok. If it is less than expected it's not good. Enjoy your Bass, she's beautiful..

[Bob Faulkner]

Been enjoying her for 7 years.. It still amazes me that after all this time, no matter what bass I play, I always find myself wanting my Smith..

I just noticed on the woods page that Koa has been discontinued! I would be interested to know why.. I've been very happy with my koa core in my Smith.. It actually has a flamed figure to it which really makes it stand out.

It saddens me to know my bass will have no future brothers and sisters made with koa cores..

[Bob Faulkner]

ken, can you give us a little insight into the discontinuation of koa as a wood option? Just curious..

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner

ken, can you give us a little insight into the discontinuation of koa as a wood option? Just curious..

Well, I bought some Koa in the '80s and early '90s. The wood was anywhere from plain for nicely figured with a few high figured pieces. Koa to my ear is no better sounding than Maple. In fact, I think Maple sounds better. Somewhere along the line, the people that have Koa or sell it decided it was as good as gold.

This is where I get off that train. Koa is nice and a flavor that sits on the shelf along with Maple and Walnut which are of similar densities.

Imagine having an Ice Cream Shoppe and suddenly the makers of 'Butter Pecan' decides it's worth 10x the price of Vanilla, Chocolate and Strawberry. Don't you think it would slide off that menu as fast as it went on it?

I get tons of requests for figured Maple and Walnut but even when I had Koa it was a hard sell or at least for me it was. The little I had left I used as requested and now the last few pieces which are mainly only long enough for the BT models have been ordered. Cut for BTs you ask? Yes, because this stock predates not only the BSR (1996) but even the BMT (1992/3). The BT was the only shape we made then in all of our models that we offered.

Koa is pretty wood. Nothing to get bent out of shape about. I will not miss it at all.

[Bob Faulkner]

I'll admit my koa core wood is pretty, and appears to be some of that figured stock you mentioned as it has a flame figure to it.. I wasn't planning to order koa on my next Smith, but I am a fan of the wood. I figured you just burned through the stock you had and decided not to order more due to the price..

I remembered you seemed a little shocked when I told you I wanted a koa core for my BSR4EG.. I was worried on the phone that you would refuse it because of the way you were talking but when you said it would be no problem it made my day.. I'm still a little sad that there will be no more Smiths with a koa core made though. When I'm filthy rich (not from music!) years from now I was planning on getting another Smith with koa, but alas it seems that will not come to pass..

Thanks for the response!

[Christopher Rhodes]

Mr. Smith,

Can you help me id the wood strings on my 1993 BMT?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Christopher Rhodes

Mr. Smith,

Can you help me id the wood strings on my 1993 BMT?

Top and Back; Acer Macrophyllum
Core; ........... Swietenia Macrophylla
Laminates; .... Juglans Nigra & Acer Saccharum
Body-to-Neck Feature: Guibourtia Demeusei
Neck woods; .. Acer Saccharum, Guibourtia Demeusei & Guibourtia Ehie

Did I miss anything?

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Christopher Rhodes

Mr. Smith,

Can you help me id the wood strings on my 1993 BMT?

Chris, I didn't know you played with wood strings. : ) (sorry, couldn't resist)