'The Comfort Factor'

[Dennis Michaels]

The first time I picked up and played a Ken SMith was in April '06 in Indy at Sam Ash. I played Fender for years. I owned 6 5 strings (Fender/MM and Warwick) and they all felt strange and we won't discuss tone. I picked up the Tiger Maple 5M and fell in love. The balance was perfect, the feel was perfect so after a week of brow beating of the sales I made my deal. I guess for me I can't find a flaw. I would love to try a classic shaped Smith tho'. One day I will but for me the current design I haven't found room for improvement. Also, I picked this bass up from Sam Ash at 5 O'clock on a Friday and had it in the pit of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" that night at 8. This is the first time a bass has felt like a friend in 2 hours.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Dennis Michaels

I would love to try a classic shaped Smith tho'. One day I will but for me the current design I haven't found room for improvement.

Dennis, the BSR Body design is my fave too.

I have a few older "BT" body shapes. They do not balance as well as the BSR on a strap. They are neck heavier (metaphorically speaking) due to shorter upper horn). Is this a problem for me? Hell no! Their great for sitting, but if you are standing, simply rest your forearm on the upper body-wing to help balance it out. In fact, one of my favorite Smith's is my '92 BT5 (Zebra).

I always say: If it feels, plays, and sounds great, but it's heavy or doesn't balance well......ask me if I care!

P.S. By the way.....I have a 212XLT (8) on the way!

[Dennis Michaels]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Dennis, the BSR Body design is my fave too.

I have a few older "BT" body shapes. They do not balance as well as the BSR on a strap. They are neck heavier (metaphorically speaking) due to shorter upper horn). Is this a problem for me? Hell no! Their great for sitting, but if you are standing, simply rest your forearm on the upper body-wing to help balance it out. In fact, one of my favorite Smith's is my '92 BT5 (Zebra).

I always say: If it feels, plays, and sounds great, but it's heavy or doesn't balance well......ask me if I care!

P.S. By the way.....I have a 212XLT (8) on the way!

Very cool... you should here 2 of them....lol

[Albert Smith]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Dennis, the BSR Body design is my fave too.

I have a few older "BT" body shapes. They do not balance as well as the BSR on a strap. They are neck heavier (metaphorically speaking) due to shorter upper horn). Is this a problem for me? Hell no! Their great for sitting, but if you are standing, simply rest your forearm on the upper body-wing to help balance it out. In fact, one of my favorite Smith's is my '92 BT5 (Zebra).

I always say: If it feels, plays, and sounds great, but it's heavy or doesn't balance well......ask me if I care!

P.S. By the way.....I have a 212XLT (8) on the way!

The two of you are really making it hard for me, after reading that Tim's about to pick up a new Eden cab, I'm really tempted to trade my Ampeg rig up to a Eden rig.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Albert Smith

The two of you are really making it hard for me, after reading that Tim's about to pick up a new Eden cab, I'm really tempted to trade my Ampeg rig up to a Eden rig.

Al, just do it! You will be thanking both Dennis and me. I promise.

Just make sure and get the right set-up. I'm sure Dennis or myself will be available to point you to that right set-up if needed. You won't look back.

[Roberto Zecchinelli]

Hallo Everyone, Hallo Ken!
About comfort factor I did a small modification to my bass you may consider to introduce to Smith Basses, I think it's a very good thing:
When I first strapped on my bass I felt something was different as playing sit.
I realized that the strap lock is upside the center of the bass. that makes the position of the bass less comfortable because the bass can't be parallel to the body but watches a bit up. this is bad for left wrist.
so My luthier and I moved the straplock lower, exactly simmetrically respect to the old straplock. now the bass feels much better , I can play easier because of a better left hand position and doesn't hurts my ribs anymore.
I'll fill the old hole with another straplock piece.
I think this would be a very usefull upgrade on Smith Basses with almost no effort.
Hope this helps, I can post some picture if someone is interested.
Thank you, Roberto

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Roberto Zecchinelli

Hallo Everyone, Hallo Ken!
About comfort factor I did a small modification to my bass you may consider to introduce to Smith Basses, I think it's a very good thing:
When I first strapped on my bass I felt something was different as playing sit.
I realized that the strap lock is upside the center of the bass. that makes the position of the bass less comfortable because the bass can't be parallel to the body but watches a bit up. this is bad for left wrist.
so My luthier and I moved the straplock lower, exactly simmetrically respect to the old straplock. now the bass feels much better , I can play easier because of a better left hand position and doesn't hurts my ribs anymore.
I'll fill the old hole with another straplock piece.
I think this would be a very usefull upgrade on Smith Basses with almost no effort.
Hope this helps, I can post some picture if someone is interested.
Thank you, Roberto

Roberto, I'm sorry, I guess I'm totally confused. Could you not adjust the strap accordingly?

[Roberto Zecchinelli]

It's a matter of angle, not a matter of Hight.
I'm not that idiot!
I maybe didn't explain well.
what I need for a correct left wrist position is fingerbord surface parallel to my body,
like when you play sit. if the fingerbord is facing up when you strap it on it will be harder to play and can take to wrist healt problems
because you'll have to bend your left wrist much more to reach the lower strings
It really makes a lot of difference to me, that's why I'd like to know Ken's opinion about that
I hope I sayd that clear now. (i'm sorry for my bad english)