Keith Horn

[Gerry Sivers]

Originally Posted by ED LOZANO

Here is a clip I would like to share with you, with a six a string Ken Smith bass being played as the Master intended it to be played.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h5NcLtHkHg&feature=related Classic Ken Smith sound!

Thanks for posting that amazing display! Anyone know if that's a Bolt on or neck through? I'm still new to the Smith line and can't tell yet.
I did not think that level of clarity could come from passive pick ups. The pops and percussive elements still cut through without sounding thin or brittle. I hope my Bsrmw can do that! I'll find out Monday.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Gerry Sivers

Thanks for posting that amazing display! Anyone know if that's a Bolt on or neck through? I'm still new to the Smith line and can't tell yet.
I did not think that level of clarity could come from passive pick ups. The pops and percussive elements still cut through without sounding thin or brittle. I hope my Bsrmw can do that! I'll find out Monday.

Looks like an earlier model BT6 (NT). As far as clarity from passive P/U's? Sure, there could be that level of clarity and/or more. Most of what you are hearing is due to the players ability and the mix he has. One of the bigger differences between NT and BO necks is feel. When you get your MW, just make sure it's set-up well and with fresh strings. If your MW is in perfect working order, I'd bet you won't be disappointed with what you get out of it.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Gerry Sivers

Thanks for posting that amazing display! Anyone know if that's a Bolt on or neck through? I'm still new to the Smith line and can't tell yet.
I did not think that level of clarity could come from passive pick ups. The pops and percussive elements still cut through without sounding thin or brittle. I hope my Bsrmw can do that! I'll find out Monday.

Looks like an earlier model BT6 (NT). As far as clarity from passive P/U's? Sure, there could be that level of clarity and/or more. Most of what you are hearing is due to the players ability and the mix he has. One of the bigger differences between NT and BO necks is feel. When you get your MW, just make sure it's set-up well and with fresh strings. If your MW is in perfect working order, I'd bet you won't be disappointed with what you get out of it.

As far as it sounding like that in the clip? Well, that's up to you.

[Tim Bishop]

Also, Looks like an earlier model BT6 (NT) with what looks like the Smith Concentric BT Circuit (3-knober) with S/P Switches. The Concentric BT Circuit, if I'm correct, does not have the Mid control. The Mid control part of the circuit is where Bass cut's through the mix best. So, this would be good news for you as your MW will have the Mid control.

[Gerry Sivers]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Also, Looks like an earlier model BT6 (NT) with what looks like the Smith Concentric BT Circuit (3-knober) with S/P Switches. The Concentric BT Circuit, if I'm correct, does not have the Mid control. The Mid control part of the circuit is where Bass cut's through the mix best. So, this would be good news for you as your MW will have the Mid control.

Great, I was hoping that would be the case! I saw the 3 knobs and guessed that the mid control was missing. I was not surprised to hear another great sounding Smith bass but clarity in the note fundamental was surprising to me because many other basses with passive pups and 2 band eq usually sound muddy. Imho, there's something about the presence of a mid control that adds clarity even if you don't use it.
I can't wait to get this bass!
As far as ability, I just hope I'm never asked to do something like that! Lol, he has a nice touch that suits his style.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Gerry Sivers

Great, I was hoping that would be the case! I saw the 3 knobs and guessed that the mid control was missing. I was not surprised to hear another great sounding Smith bass but clarity in the note fundamental was surprising to me because many other basses with passive pups and 2 band eq usually sound muddy. Imho, there's something about the presence of a mid control that adds clarity even if you don't use it.
I can't wait to get this bass!
As far as ability, I just hope I'm never asked to do something like that! Lol, he has a nice touch that suits his style.

If the mid control is on the bass and set flat not being used, then the sound is not affected by it either. No mid present or not should mean no mid as far as I know. At least that's the case with the Smith circuits.

[Gerry Sivers]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

If the mid control is on the bass and set flat not being used, then the sound is not affected by it either. No mid present or not should mean no mid as far as I know. At least that's the case with the Smith circuits.

Ken, your Smith circuits must be something else! Hazlab right? I hope I'm allowed to mention this but on another forum, we were asked for our opinions on a new bass that was a bolt on, double passive humbuckers and 2 band eq. It fared well over all but it many that tried it out mentioned the lack of clarity. The next year or so, that brand came out with a NT version of the same bass with a 3 band eq and the improved clarity was the main comment. I wonder if regular 2 band eq's have a pre set mid range setting. Anyway, all that matters now is that my Smith will be here soon (if it survives it's journey from the west coast) and in between practicing more than ever, I can spend my time nit picking over these details to pass the time and maybe learn something!

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Gerry Sivers

Ken, your Smith circuits must be something else! Hazlab right? I hope I'm allowed to mention this but on another forum, we were asked for our opinions on a new bass that was a bolt on, double passive humbuckers and 2 band eq. It fared well over all but it many that tried it out mentioned the lack of clarity. The next year or so, that brand came out with a NT version of the same bass with a 3 band eq and the improved clarity was the main comment. I wonder if regular 2 band eq's have a pre set mid range setting. Anyway, all that matters now is that my Smith will be here soon (if it survives it's journey from the west coast) and in between practicing more than ever, I can spend my time nit picking over these details to pass the time and maybe learn something!

I have no clue what other people make. A bass should have a sound of its own within the wood itself. Then the pickups added should be just microphones in my opinion and to amplify the sound of the wood. The average bass out there cannot stand on its organic construction so at the onset, the pickups alone are colored to help a dead pile of wood sound like something. Then the EQ or Circuit is added and its ONLY function is to EQ the sound of the rest of the Bass, wood thru pickups.

Think of a fine violin, add a good mic and then eq it. Make it solid and shape it like an electric bass guitar and what have you? A Smith Electric Bass. We answer to a higher authority..

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Gerry Sivers

Imho, there's something about the presence of a mid control that adds clarity even if you don't use it.

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

If the mid control is on the bass and set flat not being used, then the sound is not affected by it either. No mid present or not should mean no mid as far as I know. At least that's the case with the Smith circuits.

Yep. What Ken said.

My paraphrase: If you leave the Mid control flat (at center detent), than you get no Mid benefit and may as well not have it. I think what you'll find is if you add (i.e. + from center detent) a touch or so of the Mid control from the bass, you'll find your averall tone in the mix better. Just be sure you have a proper set-up for your playing style and a fresh set of strings.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

I think what you'll find is if you add (i.e. + from center detent) a touch or so of the Mid control from the bass, you'll find your averall tone in the mix better.

If you sound has too much mids or sounds over EQ'd when you boost the Bass and Treble together, start 'cutting' the Mids out till the sound is as tight as you need.

My favorite setting for slap funk is the Bass and Treble up half or more each and the Mids cut just as much.

This creates a notch filter effect, notching the mids out as it cleans out the low treble noise that drowns out the sizzle and takes out the high bass roll off which is just going nowhere.