Just Ordered New Bsr Gn 5 String Bass

[Willie Williams]

I don't think I have ever been this excited about spending this much money. About an hour ago I ordered a new BSR GN 5 string bass. I am getting a Bubinga top and bottom with a Walnut core. I like the way the dark woods look and sound. This will be my 4th Smith, but my first neck through. I play gospel, and my slap tone is very important to me. I was looking for a aggressive articulate tone (hope I nailed it with this combination). The hard part is going to be waiting the 4 to 6 month period. This is the first time in 12 years I have not had a Ken Smith bass on hand. I sold my 6 string a few weeks ago. What can I say, I am a 5 string kind of guy, but I at least had to give a 6 string a try.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Willie Williams

I don't think I have ever been this excited about spending this much money. About an hour ago I ordered a new BSR GN 5 string bass. I am getting a Bubinga top and bottom with a Walnut core. I like the way the dark woods look and sound. This will be my 4th Smith, but my first neck through. I play gospel, and my slap tone is very important to me. I was looking for a aggressive articulate tone (hope I nailed it with this combination). The hard part is going to be waiting the 4 to 6 month period. This is the first time in 12 years I have not had a Ken Smith bass on hand. I sold my 6 string a few weeks ago. What can I say, I am a 5 string kind of guy, but I at least had to give a 6 string a try.

Congrats! You will not be disappointed!

I am a "neck-thru" player all the way and I have played both designs. So, given that.........

Because you are going to a neck-thru from a bolt-on design (oh you are going to love it!), you may find an adjustment on your part is necessary because the neck-thrus play oh-so-much-sweater! Actually, I would say it would be a more noticeable adjustment if you were going to a bolt-on neck from a neck-thru.

For me, no comparison in feel: I will never go back to a bolt-on neck. But then again, that's why you are paying the bigger bucks!

[Willie Williams]

The wait is going to be tough. It is cool that I can order just what I want. On the other 3 I bought what they had available not really knowing the ins and outs of the different models. The 6 string I just sold was an "M" model which from what I understand is more of an entry level bass. What saved me was it had an exotic cocobolo top which added value to it when selling it. That is why I am not taking any chances this time.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Willie Williams

The wait is going to be tough. It is cool that I can order just what I want. On the other 3 I bought what they had available not really knowing the ins and outs of the different models. The 6 string I just sold was an "M" model which from what I understand is more of an entry level bass. What saved me was it had an exotic cocobolo top which added value to it when selling it. That is why I am not taking any chances this time.

Cocobolo, Maple, and Walnut are probably my favorite combinations of woods used in a bass.

Among others, I have a 5EG: Cocobolo Top and Back, Tiger Maple Lams, and Walnut core. A BMT6 7&7: Cocobolo Top and Back, Tiger Maple and Walnut Lams, with Tiger Maple Core. Without hesitation, I would say these are my favorite wood combo's of all my Smiths.

The wait will be worth it, I promise!

[Ronson Hall]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Cocobolo, Maple, and Walnut are probably my favorite combinations of woods used in a bass.

Among others, I have a 5EG: Cocobolo Top and Back, Tiger Maple Lams, and Walnut core. A BMT6 7&7: Cocobolo Top and Back, Tiger Maple and Walnut Lams, with Tiger Maple Core. Without hesitation, I would say these are my favorite wood combo's of all my Smiths.

The wait will be worth it, I promise!

Tim, I'd like to "chime in" here for a moment:

While I believe that there is a marked difference in a neck-thru versus a bolt-on necked Ken Smith bass, and with all due respect to Willie (glad to meet you, Willie!), I'm going to have to say that I don't believe I just finished paying literally thousands of dollars for an "entry-level" Ken Smith!!

Of course, I'm certainly no expert (yet) on Ken Smith basses; however, my BSR5MW Cocobolo top and back beauty with its Tiger Maple core sounds, in a word...great!!! It may not have a "neck-thru" sound or sophistication, but..."entry-level?" I think not!!

I think some other adjectives may be more appropriate!

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Ronson Hall

Tim, I'd like to "chime in" here for a moment:

While I believe that there is a marked difference in a neck-thru versus a bolt-on necked Ken Smith bass, and with all due respect to Willie (glad to meet you, Willie!), I'm going to have to say that I don't believe I just finished paying literally thousands of dollars for an "entry-level" Ken Smith!!

Of course, I'm certainly no expert (yet) on Ken Smith basses; however, my BSR5MW Cocobolo top and back beauty with its Tiger Maple core sounds, in a word...great!!! It may not have a "neck-thru" sound or sophistication, but..."entry-level?" I think not!!

I think some other adjectives may be more appropriate!

Ronson, I'm sorry, where did you see the words "entry-level" written in my post, or any of my posts for that matter? The $'s you spend are relative to the model purchased.

One day when you spend a few more $'s on a neck-thru (and I suspect you will......remember, I'm first in line in your Will......), you will better understand where I am coming from. In the mean-time, enjoy what you have (as I'm sure you will... ) because $ for $ there's nothing better on the market!

[Willie Williams]

Originally Posted by Ronson Hall

Tim, I'd like to "chime in" here for a moment:

While I believe that there is a marked difference in a neck-thru versus a bolt-on necked Ken Smith bass, and with all due respect to Willie (glad to meet you, Willie!), I'm going to have to say that I don't believe I just finished paying literally thousands of dollars for an "entry-level" Ken Smith!!

Of course, I'm certainly no expert (yet) on Ken Smith basses; however, my BSR5MW Cocobolo top and back beauty with its Tiger Maple core sounds, in a word...great!!! It may not have a "neck-thru" sound or sophistication, but..."entry-level?" I think not!!

I think some other adjectives may be more appropriate!

Let me clarify what I meant. When I said entry level I was saying entry level in the Ken Smith line, and not entry level in the bass world. In the bass community BY NO MEANS WILL ANY KEN SMITH BASS BE CONSIDERED ENTRY LEVEL, but within the Ken Smith line most of the basses cost more. I was mainly saying that I would not have sold or traded a higher end model on a lower priced one if I had known more about the different models.