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  #1  
Old 05-11-2007, 04:56 AM
SongJinYoung SongJinYoung is offline
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Default Ken Smith Basses Tone Making!!

Hi Ken!!
First, I'm very sorry for my poor english cause I'm not native speaker!!

I have played 3 Kensmith basses about 3years

My first one was BT Elite Neckthru model in 1996
I got the bass from used market in my country!!
But I couldn't make some sound of strut designed bass(like Jazz style)
Playing Finger Picking, It was not a big problem!!
But playing slap style, the sound is too fat
I was unequal to the bass, so I selled it
I had played about 4 month

My second one was BSR-JG 5string model in 2004
Swamp ash Wing, Walnut center block, Morado Finger board
It had punch and fat tone
Playing Finger Picking or slap style, It's sound was good
But my first one was more great finger sound!!

And I thought about that!!
The one has BSR-J slap sound and BT elite Finger sound

So I ordered my third one 9month ago (request Bassnw.com)

And now, I have played the one about 3 month
BRS4MW
Maccasar Ebony Top
Tiger maple center block and core
Walnut back
5 Piece neck
S/P switch

It was greatful sound that I want
Now, I have problemes about tone making

In my country, The reference sound in studio is the Vintage Fender sound
They say that
"Kensmith's sound is great for R&B, Funk, Soul!! That's the one of the greatest basses, But in my country want difficult one!!"

But, I can't agree about that
I know great one of playing Ken smith bass In my country
(He (a.k.a grooveshin) has BSRTNE 5 and BSRTNF 5)
He sad to me
"If you are in USA west!!, That's no problem I called bass track "the Smith Zone" in west coast style music, But in korea you need to learn about Smith bass tone making!!"

I use My bass in Factory setting(never used DIP switch)
I use Providence B202 cable, EDEN Navigator preamp, Mackie 1402pro vlz Mixer

IF anyone have good knowhow about my problem
Please teach me about that!!
about adjust 3-band EQ or DIP switch

If I have more Punch slap style tone, Is it good to buy another amp like EA iamp of SWR

Thanks for read!!

Jin From Korea!!
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  #2  
Old 05-11-2007, 01:29 PM
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Bob Faulkner Bob Faulkner is offline
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Smith basses have a tone you typically won't find in most other basses. Having said that, the versatility of the EQ on Smith basses is incredible. I've been able to dial in so many different tones it's scary. I will say that I've been unable to get a "Fender" tone out of it. That, in my opinion, is a good thing. I generally dislike Fenders and their sound. If I wanted a Fender tone I would be playing a Fender. Nothing irritates me more than people trying to force a Fender tone as the definition of bass tone.. It may be for some people, but it's not my idea of bass tone.
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  #3  
Old 05-11-2007, 02:30 PM
Steve_M Steve_M is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner View Post
Nothing irritates me more than people trying to force a Fender tone as the definition of bass tone.. It may be for some people, but it's not my idea of bass tone.
+1

Many basses I've tried have been equal to Fenders in terms of being heard in the mix. I've yet to own a Fender myself - came close recently but ended up with a far more superior and better sounding instrument than the flawed creations from Fullerton in the 70's.
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  #4  
Old 05-12-2007, 03:32 PM
SongJinYoung SongJinYoung is offline
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Thanks Bob and Steve, You point it!!
I ordered the Navigator Jazz bass made by ESP
It's expensive jazz bass

And I save my $$ for another SM bass!!, BSR EG or TNE
Thanks a lot
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  #5  
Old 05-16-2007, 05:39 PM
Paul Phillips Paul Phillips is offline
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Default Tone

Wow!! Bob mighty strong words you say about Fender my friend!, I have been playing Smith basses for over 12 years now and i think they are Beautiful instruments and sound just as beautiful!.But I do think Fender does have a " Bass sound" !!!!, After all don`t we owe Leo a little more respect for getting us where we are now!! ELECTRIC!!!!!

Last edited by Paul Phillips; 05-16-2007 at 05:49 PM.
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  #6  
Old 05-16-2007, 06:31 PM
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Ford made the Model T. And I'm grateful for the advance he gave mankind. But, that doesn't mean I want to drive one or drive a car that performs like one.
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  #7  
Old 05-19-2007, 08:47 AM
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Keiichi Miyamoto Keiichi Miyamoto is offline
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Dear SongJinYoung.
I'm Keiichi Miyamoto from Japan.

At first, I think your English is very very better than mine. (**)

Regarding Slap sound, I have just talking about this in Talk Bass Forum.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...=328189&page=4

And my sound sample is;
http://www7b.biglobe.ne.jp/~amurita/bass1.html
How do you think about it?

I think the PU balance between Front and Rear gives hints me to obtain better (I mean generic or popular(FenderLike?)) slap sound with Ken Smith Bass.

;==
My Ken Smith BSR6TNE is, Black Tiger Elite 6 strings.
Crotch Walnut Top&Back with Tiger Maple core.
5pc Thru Neck with Ebony Fingereboard.

Recorded with;
Onboard EQ is All flat.
PU Balancer is on its center detent position.
PU Para/Seri select sw is both parallel.

Just one thing.
I set the rear PU height a little bit lower than default.
So, front PU sound is bigger than rear's even if the balancer is positioned center.
This setting gives me fatter sound, growl thumb and puncy pull.

It's just the example.

Keiichi Miyamoto from Japan.
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  #8  
Old 05-20-2007, 08:23 PM
SongJinYoung SongJinYoung is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Keiichi Miyamoto View Post
Dear SongJinYoung.
I'm Keiichi Miyamoto from Japan.

At first, I think your English is very very better than mine. (**)

Regarding Slap sound, I have just talking about this in Talk Bass Forum.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...=328189&page=4

And my sound sample is;
http://www7b.biglobe.ne.jp/~amurita/bass1.html
How do you think about it?

I think the PU balance between Front and Rear gives hints me to obtain better (I mean generic or popular(FenderLike?)) slap sound with Ken Smith Bass.

;==
My Ken Smith BSR6TNE is, Black Tiger Elite 6 strings.
Crotch Walnut Top&Back with Tiger Maple core.
5pc Thru Neck with Ebony Fingereboard.

Recorded with;
Onboard EQ is All flat.
PU Balancer is on its center detent position.
PU Para/Seri select sw is both parallel.

Just one thing.
I set the rear PU height a little bit lower than default.
So, front PU sound is bigger than rear's even if the balancer is positioned center.
This setting gives me fatter sound, growl thumb and puncy pull.

It's just the example.

Keiichi Miyamoto from Japan.
Oh Hi Keiichi Miyamoto!!

Thank you very much for the tips
(And Thanks for the great performance)

Are You in Japan??

My brother (26 years old) lives in Kobe, Japan.
So I can buy some stuff in digimart
I'm very glad to meet you!!

I will try your tips today

I have played BSR TNE
It's best!!!

But I love My MW so I will try and try again

Your recourd was only BSR TNE and DI BOX??

or adding Amp head, another preamp, dinamic outboard(like dbx160, CL1B)

So growl, So Punch!!

and I think to order ESP Navigater Jazz 300LTD in Japan

If I make sound like this, I can't order.

Thanks Keiichi Miyamoto

SongJinYoung from Korea
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  #9  
Old 05-21-2007, 01:04 AM
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Keiichi Miyamoto Keiichi Miyamoto is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SongJinYoung View Post
Oh Hi Keiichi Miyamoto!!

Thank you very much for the tips
(And Thanks for the great performance)

Are You in Japan??

My brother (26 years old) lives in Kobe, Japan.
So I can buy some stuff in digimart
I'm very glad to meet you!!

I will try your tips today

I have played BSR TNE
It's best!!!

But I love My MW so I will try and try again

Your recourd was only BSR TNE and DI BOX??

or adding Amp head, another preamp, dinamic outboard(like dbx160, CL1B)

So growl, So Punch!!

and I think to order ESP Navigater Jazz 300LTD in Japan

If I make sound like this, I can't order.

Thanks Keiichi Miyamoto

SongJinYoung from Korea
Hi SongJinYoung.
I am living in Sagamihara, its near Yokohama.
It is about 600Km from Kobe to Yokohama. (**)

>Your recourd was only BSR TNE and DI BOX??

I pluged the BSR6TNE to Hi-Z input of mini mixer (TAPCO).
Then the ****og output of the mixier is connected to "RME maltiface" Audio I/F to PC.
No bass dedicated pre-amp here.
I have only used mastering maximizer (total comp.) to adjust the total sound to appropriate level.
So, I think this sound is its own voice.

I recommend you to use balance control first to see the best point to your favor.
Then, adjust the height of PU.
Result is simmilar but not just the same. I feel.

The lowered PU sound its-self gets weaker than using balance control. (difficult to express, sorry)
Sometimes this gives good result.
But please note that Rear-Only tone is now unsable, along to this method.

One more thing, if rear PU height(or balance) is too low, the tone loose deepness and clearness, necessary for finger style (for me!).

Thank you for your patience to my poor English.
Keiichi Miyamoto.
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  #10  
Old 06-22-2007, 10:12 AM
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Dennis Michaels Dennis Michaels is offline
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That can be a hard one to get people to listen with their ears instead of their eyes. I played a 1965 P bass for 23 years before finding Ken Smith... I have worked many sessions with the P bass and the first time I showed up with the Smith (at a studio that I have recoded about 10 albums in the past) the engineer said "where's your P bass?". I said it's in the bag. He siad "Oh really". My answer was "Can we just try this one before you wig out?" We did the album with the Smith. He informed me that there was nothing to eq or compress, the instrument was obviously made for recording because it is perfect. Now he loves the Smith's as much as I do. Give it time and forgive them for pre judging your tone. They will come around.
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  #11  
Old 09-19-2008, 01:01 PM
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i understand what is being said here. but, and maybe im the only one that does this...there are times that i will change basses 4 times in a set. some songs call for some sounds, and some sounds call for some feels, and some feels can only be obtained with certain basses. hence i change when i feel i need to. for instance the alembic as good as it is i will never use for slap n pop. the jazz set slightly to the rear pick up and the treb rolled back a bit slaps great. the smith rolled mostly to the back pickup and the treb almost off has such great attack and is so sharp and snappy for finger runs with the emulator for a fretless style playing (melissa ehteridge, come to my window). so i change the basses for the feel of the song and the tone that generates therof.
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  #12  
Old 09-23-2009, 02:36 PM
Dave Longenecker Dave Longenecker is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis Michaels View Post
That can be a hard one to get people to listen with their ears instead of their eyes. I played a 1965 P bass for 23 years before finding Ken Smith... I have worked many sessions with the P bass and the first time I showed up with the Smith (at a studio that I have recoded about 10 albums in the past) the engineer said "where's your P bass?". I said it's in the bag. He siad "Oh really". My answer was "Can we just try this one before you wig out?" We did the album with the Smith. He informed me that there was nothing to eq or compress, the instrument was obviously made for recording because it is perfect. Now he loves the Smith's as much as I do. Give it time and forgive them for pre judging your tone. They will come around.
So Dennis - I know you're a passive mode fan - how much of your recordings is done in passive, and how much in active mode?

Also - what about "Live" playing situations.

Thanks for the reply!
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  #13  
Old 11-03-2009, 06:50 PM
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Tim Bishop Tim Bishop is offline
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Lightbulb Dennis?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Longenecker View Post
So Dennis - I know you're a passive mode fan - how much of your recordings is done in passive, and how much in active mode?

Also - what about "Live" playing situations.

Thanks for the reply!
Dave, you'll probably be more successful locating Dennis on Facebook these days. He hasn't been on this Forum well over two years now.
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