Ken's Corner (Bass Forums Sponsored By KSB)

Go Back   Ken's Corner (Bass Forums Sponsored By KSB) > Electric Basses > Smith Basses, Handmade

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-20-2010, 10:14 PM
Jose Bichoff Jose Bichoff is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 04-07-2010
Location: Campinas - Brazil
Posts: 20
Jose Bichoff is on a distinguished road
Default Different Body shapes (Ken Smith basses)

Hello,

I'd like to invite you all to discuss a bit about different body shapes Ken produced since he started making basses in the 70's.
More experienced Smith fans don't have much trouble identifying models but it isn't an easy task for new Smith users. With the help of the old guys and Ken I think we can help who is choosing his/her first bass, either new or used, and hopefully learn a little bit more about Smith history.
So, if you have any questions or want to comment something about Smith body shapes, this is the place. Photos and links are more than welcome, specially old models and rare Smith basses.

Here are the links to the 3 models Ken produces now (Ken, you can correct me if I'm wrong):

BSR model:
http://www.kensmithbasses.com/models...g(morado).html

BT model:
http://www.kensmithbasses.com/models...5gvintage.html

Fusion model:
http://www.kensmithbasses.com/models...hru/f6cw7p.htm


My personal favorite is the BT.


***Remember that this topic is about Ken Smith basses, ONLY, ok?

Best Regards,
Jose
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-22-2010, 12:50 PM
Bob Faulkner's Avatar
Bob Faulkner Bob Faulkner is offline
Senior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 01-22-2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 282
Bob Faulkner is on a distinguished road
Default

My favorite is BSR, but I'd take a fusion without complaint. (I'd take any Smith without complaint!)

My personal favorite:
http://www.kensmithbasses.com/models...ss_quilmap.htm
__________________
Proud original owner of a 2001 Ken Smith BSR4EG lined fretless.

My band's site:
Delusional Mind
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-23-2010, 05:42 AM
Joel Pineda Joel Pineda is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 03-13-2010
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 3
Joel Pineda is on a distinguished road
Default

i really like the BT/vintage shape with the big black headstocks, but would love to get a fusion body style.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-02-2010, 02:12 AM
Mike Jenkins Mike Jenkins is offline
Posting Member
 
Join Date: 03-14-2007
Location: Los Angeles area
Posts: 30
Mike Jenkins is on a distinguished road
Default

I'm a fan of the BSR because of it's more modern looks. I like the fusion as well but the BSR gets my #1 vote. I'm not really into vintage so the BT comes in last for me. However, I'll take a smith of any shape.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-20-2010, 09:50 PM
Jason Mendelson's Avatar
Jason Mendelson Jason Mendelson is offline
Posting Member
 
Join Date: 01-27-2007
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 118
Jason Mendelson is on a distinguished road
Send a message via AIM to Jason Mendelson Send a message via MSN to Jason Mendelson
Default

What about the BMT?!?!?!

__________________
Thump_
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-21-2010, 01:36 AM
Ken Smith's Avatar
Ken Smith Ken Smith is offline
Bassist, Luthier & Admin
 
Join Date: 01-18-2007
Location: Perkasie, PA
Posts: 4,851
Ken Smith is on a distinguished road
Thumbs up yes..

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Mendelson View Post
What about the BMT?!?!?!

The BMT was my first venture of something totally new after the BT which we had been making for about 12 years by then and had evolved along the way. The BSR was made a few years later by mixing the BMT shape with the BT bottom. The Fusion model was a combination of the BSR and the BMT. One model gives birth to another. Like having parents, it takes two, sometimes...
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-21-2010, 08:27 AM
Anton Hasias Anton Hasias is offline
Posting Member
 
Join Date: 01-24-2010
Location: Luxembourg
Posts: 36
Anton Hasias is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken Smith View Post
One model gives birth to another. Like having parents, it takes two, sometimes...
So what's next Ken? Twins?

Best regards
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-22-2010, 08:22 PM
Jose Bichoff Jose Bichoff is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 04-07-2010
Location: Campinas - Brazil
Posts: 20
Jose Bichoff is on a distinguished road
Default

Ken,

Are there any differences in shape between Neck-thru and Bolt-on?

Kind regards

Last edited by Jose Bichoff; 07-22-2010 at 08:35 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-22-2010, 11:19 PM
Ken Smith's Avatar
Ken Smith Ken Smith is offline
Bassist, Luthier & Admin
 
Join Date: 01-18-2007
Location: Perkasie, PA
Posts: 4,851
Ken Smith is on a distinguished road
Cool difference?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jose Bichoff View Post
Ken,

Are there any differences in shape between Neck-thru and Bolt-on?

Kind regards
The body wings are exactly the same. They either get glued to the neck or the center block which is tapered like the neck. The back heel shaping is different between the two as with the NT, we can carve it heel-less without the bolts in the way. We only make a few bolt-ons now to order. Mostly we make just the NT's.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-20-2011, 08:49 AM
jillcarol jillcarol is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 03-03-2009
Location: shanghai china
Posts: 13
jillcarol is on a distinguished road
Default

dear Ken,

Are there any differences between fusion and vintage body shape?

thank you
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03-20-2011, 01:41 PM
Ken Smith's Avatar
Ken Smith Ken Smith is offline
Bassist, Luthier & Admin
 
Join Date: 01-18-2007
Location: Perkasie, PA
Posts: 4,851
Ken Smith is on a distinguished road
Cool yes

Quote:
Originally Posted by jillcarol View Post
dear Ken,

Are there any differences between fusion and vintage body shape?

thank you
The Vintage is the older BT. The Fusion is a modified BSR shape. Mainly the placement of the BSR wings to the neck slightly offset a bit more and then the bottom curve instead of the point of the BSR (or BT).
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11-04-2014, 10:05 PM
ByungMoo Kim ByungMoo Kim is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 11-04-2014
Location: Ansan, South Korea
Posts: 1
ByungMoo Kim is on a distinguished road
Default is this bmt?

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/ken-...maple.1112337/
Is the bass in the link ken smith bmt?
He put it up saying its a 1997 bmt. But i thought it was a bsr shape.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 11-05-2014, 02:46 AM
Ken Smith's Avatar
Ken Smith Ken Smith is offline
Bassist, Luthier & Admin
 
Join Date: 01-18-2007
Location: Perkasie, PA
Posts: 4,851
Ken Smith is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ByungMoo Kim View Post
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/ken-...maple.1112337/
Is the bass in the link ken smith bmt?
He put it up saying its a 1997 bmt. But i thought it was a bsr shape.
The last BMT's were the first BSR Elites. If the serial number says BMT, it is a BMT.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:04 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2007 - Ken Smith Basses, LTD. (All Rights Reserved)