What would you do? (Custom Builds)

[Tom Albano]

What would be your ideal build today for your new Smith bass? What wood combos would you use knowing what you know now? What type of music are you playing?

I have not had much experience with Smith basses at this point, I am working on getting my second right now..... BUT........

Ideally, I would have a downsized CR body (Im 5'6) Rosewood top/ Mahogany core/maple neck with ebony laminates/Ebony board/Soaps.
At least thats the fare for right now....

I think you see where Im going? post your favorite builds here!
as well I would love to hear your Wish Lists?

On my wish list would be to bring back the brass control plates found on the very early Smith basses, maybe using 1/4 inch and a XLR outs as well.

- Tom

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tom Albano

What would be your ideal build today for your new Smith bass? What wood combos would you use knowing what you know now? What type of music are you playing?

I have not had much experience with Smith basses at this point, I am working on getting my second right now..... BUT........

Ideally, I would have a downsized CR body (Im 5'6) Rosewood top/ Mahogany core/maple neck with ebony laminates/Ebony board/Soaps.
At least thats the fare for right now....

I think you see where Im going? post your favorite builds here!
as well I would love to hear your Wish Lists?

On my wish list would be to bring back the brass control plates found on the very early Smith basses, maybe using 1/4 inch and a XLR outs as well.

- Tom

What species of Rosewood? The only Rosewood we have used or offered in the past 25 years+ has been Cocobolo.

[Tom Albano]

Well this is '"ideally".... I know Im going to get tripped up but the rosewood I had in mind was like this

http://redmodernfurniture.com/wp-con...od-table-3.jpg

I guess it looks like Cocobolo, (Honestly I did not know cocobolo was a rosewood)
but still in my mind I always loved the darker, tighter, straight patterns that rosewood seemed to show off so well ... of course I cant find exactly what I mean right now but something like...
http://car-lab.co.il/wp-content/uplo...wood-20web.jpg

[Tom Albano]

Looks like what I mean is indian rosewood
http://www.woodnwires.ca/wood/sample...20Rosewood.jpg

http://www.mangore.net/indian-rosewo...bellucci01.jpg

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Tom Albano

....I always loved the darker, tighter, straight patterns that rosewood seemed to show off so well

Have you considered an Ebony top?

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Tom Albano

Looks like what I mean is indian rosewood
http://www.woodnwires.ca/wood/sample...20Rosewood.jpg

http://www.mangore.net/indian-rosewo...bellucci01.jpg

How bout this?

http://www.kensmithbasses.com/models...sr5egebony.htm

[Tom Albano]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Have you considered an Ebony top?

Oh, yes I have I love Ebony. Just so you guys know, Im not planning on ordering a custom I just want to see what other people are thinking...
Ebony is one of my all time favorite woods as far as looks go, Very Exotic.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Tom Albano

Looks like what I mean is indian rosewood
http://www.woodnwires.ca/wood/sample...20Rosewood.jpg

http://www.mangore.net/indian-rosewo...bellucci01.jpg

Or maybe?

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

[Tom Albano]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Or maybe?

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

LOL ... what can I say these are too sweet for sure.


Does the top wood have any effect on tone?

- T

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Tom Albano

Looks like what I mean is indian rosewood
http://www.woodnwires.ca/wood/sample...20Rosewood.jpg

http://www.mangore.net/indian-rosewo...bellucci01.jpg

Or, how bout this....

http://www.kensmithbasses.com/models..._zebrawood.htm

[Tom Albano]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Or, how bout this....

http://www.kensmithbasses.com/models..._zebrawood.htm

Narrow it whats your fav?

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Tom Albano

....Does the top wood have any effect on tone?

- T

All woods used contribute to overall tone. Ken uses and has a great proven and seasoned stock of woods. All you need to decide is what combination you want.

[Tom Albano]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

All woods used contribute to overall tone. Ken uses and has a great proven and seasoned stock of woods. All you need to decide is what combination you want.

Alot of builders use nice tops only for aethstetic reasons, just wondering if the tops contribute in a significant way to the Smith tone.....

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Tom Albano

Narrow it whats your fav?

Too hard to pick one. Among my favorites would be Cocobolo top and back, Tiger Maple or Walnut Core; Zebrawood Top and Back with Mahogany or Walnut Core, any of the Black Tiger or Black Tiger Elite wood choices; Bubinga Top and Back with Tiger Maple Core; Tiger Maple or Quilt Maple Top and Back with Walnut or Mahogany Core; etc.

.....See, I told you it was too hard to pick.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Tom Albano

Alot of builders use nice tops only for aethstetic reasons....

Yes they do, and I would stay away from those.

[Tom Albano]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Too hard to pick one. Among my favorites would be Cocobolo top and back, Tiger Maple or Walnut Core; Zebrawood Top and Back with Mahogany or Walnut Core, any of the Black Tiger or Black Tiger Elite wood choices; Bubinga Top and Back with Tiger Maple Core; Tiger Maple or Quilt Maple Top and Back with Walnut or Mahogany Core; etc.

.....See, I told you it was too hard to pick.

I hear you, I know.... when I think of nice tone, I seem to keep coming back to walnut body with ebony board, one of the nicest sounding basses Ive owned had that combo, maybe it was the electronics.... Im not sure, the bass as a total had such an incredible tone, BUT I have owned more than one bass with a mahogany body and ebony fretboard and Im never disappointed, so I see that as a kind of standard for me generally I guess.
There are just too many variables

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Tom Albano

....just wondering if the tops contribute in a significant way to the Smith tone.....

Significant? I wouldn't say significant; more like fine tunes the overall tone you want to achieve.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Tom Albano

...I seem to keep coming back to walnut body with ebony board...

Well, for me, an Ebony FB is a must, period.

[Tom Albano]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Yes they do, and I would stay away from those.

these days I am pretty much through with experimental wood combos, after my last time out I was going to just buy Fender for the rest of my life, LOL ... But, I remember Smith basses from Waaaaay back in the day when i first started playing, seeing the ads/reviews in Bass player wanting one so badly.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Tom Albano

....one of the nicest sounding basses Ive owned had that combo, maybe it was the electronics.... Im not sure...

Always play your bass unplugged first to see just what the woods sound like or contribute to the overall sound. If you are happy with that, plug it in, play it, and then see what the electronics do for ya.