[ask] modify a smith..

[Brian Jonathan]

hi guys.. i'm newbie.. just buying a Smith BT6G '89-91 vintage from my friend..
i want to ask about.. what is your opinion if i change the 2-EQband smith original preamp on BT6G with a new aguilar OBP-3 preamp? is it gonna produced a great sound? any of you guys have ever tried to combined them?
i feel that i need the mid settings.. especially to get the melodic tone and support the slap sound (i've seen the john king's clip on youtube - i like the sound ). please give me suggestions.. help. thank you all

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by precbj

hi guys.. i'm newbie.. just buying a Smith BT6G '89-91 vintage from my friend..
i want to ask about.. what is your opinion if i change the 2-EQband smith original preamp on BT6G with a new aguilar OBP-3 preamp? is it gonna produced a great sound? any of you guys have ever tried to combined them?
i feel that i need the mid settings.. especially to get the melodic tone and support the slap sound (i've seen the john king's clip on youtube - i like the sound ). please give me suggestions.. help. thank you all

Well, I don't know that Ken ships to Jakarta, however, if you are able to buy the Smith 9V Circuit (w/Mid) or 18V Circuit, I would suggest going that route and maintain the integrity and original intended design of that bass.

Since you only have the BT Circuit (i.e. without the Mid), you will need to have an extra hole drilled to accommodate the Mid (and as Ken will tell you, there is little room for error). So, if you could locate and buy the 9V or 18V circuit W/Mid, you might be able to have it professionally installed.

Or, your best option, IF you are able to ship to Ken; I would suggest sending the bass to him and have him do it for you. This way, you can count on getting it done correctly in the first pass.

[Brian Jonathan]

oh.. okay.. yup, you're right.. it need an extra hole drilled on the body,and it's so risky.. mm,i'll try to contact ken later, is it possible to ship the smith w/ mid circuit.. but i dont think i can send the bass to U.S.A... thanx anyway Tim..

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Brian Jonathan

oh.. okay.. yup, you're right.. it need an extra hole drilled on the body,and it's so risky.. mm,i'll try to contact ken later, is it possible to ship the smith w/ mid circuit.. but i dont think i can send the bass to U.S.A... thanx anyway Tim..

Your welcome! Give Ken a call.

[Ronson Hall]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Your welcome! Give Ken a call.

Hey Tim? I'm piggybacking on you to give my two cents worth to Brian (Hi, Brian!):

I wouldn't modify the electronics of a Smith, period, no matter how old it was, unless it was a Ken Smith-sanctioned & approved modification (now, admittedly this is from a man who waited almost 11 years to own a Ken Smith!). Even if he sanctioned a mod, I'd want him to do it.

Nope. I'd leave a Smith -a Smith. If I want another sound, I'll just buy whatever axe it is that makes that sound. I wanted a Smith because I so desparately wanted the "Smith" sound.

That's my two cents, and thanks for listening!

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Ronson Hall

Hey Tim? I'm piggybacking on you to give my two cents worth to Brian (Hi, Brian!):

I wouldn't modify the electronics of a Smith, period, no matter how old it was, unless it was a Ken Smith-sanctioned & approved modification (now, admittedly this is from a man who waited almost 11 years to own a Ken Smith!). Even if he sanctioned a mod, I'd want him to do it.

Nope. I'd leave a Smith -a Smith. If I want another sound, I'll just buy whatever axe it is that makes that sound. I wanted a Smith because I so desparately wanted the "Smith" sound.

That's my two cents, and thanks for listening!

Couldn't have said it better.

[Bob Faulkner]

Would you buy a Ferrari and replace the engine with one from a Ford Escort?

I thought not.

[Mendell Beckford]

Originally Posted by Bob Faulkner

Would you buy a Ferrari and replace the engine with one from a Ford Escort?

I thought not.

A Smith is a Smith and should remain a Smith,IMO

[Brian Jonathan]

wow! smith is smith.. unchangeable.. mm.. hey.. do you guys know the smith BT that patitucci used on his video lesson.. it isn't 3 knobs or 5knobs.. but only 4knobs? i see it so familiar like the burner series.. that's the first time i saw smith.. the find out...because the tone is so unique and so clarity,
i fell in love with smith at that time...the BT body shape and the sound. after years.. i finally got one ..

could you give me a configuration of BT circuit control settings to make a good slap&pop sound?? any clue.. thank y'all

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Brian Jonathan

wow! smith is smith.. unchangeable.. mm.. hey.. do you guys know the smith BT that patitucci used on his video lesson.. it isn't 3 knobs or 5knobs.. but only 4knobs? i see it so familiar like the burner series.. that's the first time i saw smith.. the find out...because the tone is so unique and so clarity,
i fell in love with smith at that time...the BT body shape and the sound. after years.. i finally got one ..

could you give me a configuration of BT circuit control settings to make a good slap&pop sound?? any clue.. thank y'all

The 4 knobs is: bass, treble, pan, and volume. I have a BT5 KOA like this I have listed here on this site for sale.

As far as BT control settings to get what you are after. I would suggest experimenting with that until you dial in what you need. A great set-up with a fresh set of Smith Medium Taper Cores would be a good starting point.

Then, start out by panning to the neck pick-up and use the end of the fretboard when making contact with your thumb and pop technique. Also, depending on the amp set-up you are using, you may have additional tonal head-room through that amp.

[Pieter Gaskin]

I would wait to hear what the bass sounds like in real playing situations before I even thought about modifying it.IMHO a mid control is not really needed.You can take care of those freqs on the amp if you think it is necessary.I own a bass with a three band eq and find it sounds best almost always with the mid set flat.
I also have one of those old Sadowsky outboard preamps and it doens't have mid control and it sounds great on my Fender.That preamp went on to be one of the Agulier's if I am not mistaken.
Just my "two cents"