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Gwilym

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    Ken Smith - model codes

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted · Edited by Gwilym

    30 minutes ago, obi 2 kenobi said:

    Just checked mine. 
    My BT6 ends with EW which is probably ebony walnut. Whereas the BT5 has no letters in its serial number

    The W could also be "wide" in which case you would have 19mm string spacing rather than the standard 18mm 😁

    Ken Smith - model codes

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted · Edited by Gwilym

    1 hour ago, CookPassBabtridge said:

    Just to add what others have helpfully said - yes, Ken Smith model codes are surprising confusing. From what I understand though, and using my USA bolt-on as an example:


    BSR4MW

     

    BSR = body shape (as opposed to a BT, which I think is their more vintage body)

     

    4 = number of strings 

     

    MW = model designation, in this case bolt on.

     

    For me the confusion comes from that model designation bit. So MW means bolt on, but other models are described in other ways, not just by neck construction. So another example:


    BT5EG = using the ‘rules’ above, would be a vintage shape 5 string neck thru, but the EG stands for ‘elite’ and there are other neck-thru models. 

     

     

    The MW also means Maple/Walnut. I've also seen MS models, also bolt-on i think but speculated to be Maple/Shedua.

    The G means the neck has graphite rod re-enforcement.

    There were also the BSRxJ models, great basses, used to own one and probably should have never sold it. They were BSR shaped with jazz style pickups. No longer made apparently.

    • Like 1

    Ken Smith - model codes

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted · Edited by Gwilym

    13 hours ago, FDC484950 said:

    I think the USA bolt on had the code MW, possibly there were other USA bolt on models as well. The Burner range was made in Japan.

     

    "The bass you see here is a BSR5MW. model. This means it is a bolt-on neck instrument with a Tiger Maple core body and Walnut wings"

     

    From https://www.doctorbass.net/en/c/?iddoc=1000170849&idsec=1000170855

     

    I think tiger maple is just another name for flamed maple.

     

    This thread on TB also has some useful info: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.talkbass.com/threads/ken-smith-models.1079496/%3famp=1404632303

     

    Setup for a new bass (or more than a setup)

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I would expect a decent set up for that kind of money, even if it's not entirely to your requirements.

    Something sounds iffy, if the neck is bowed and has high action and you're still getting fret buzz. Is the buzz behind your fretting finger (nut cut too low?) or in front? (Frets not levelled?)

    As you described it, it's what I'd expect from a neck with zero relief and v low action, but clearly not the case.

    • Like 2

    Westone Thunder Bass

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted

    My first bass guitar was a Thunder 1 (passive, rather than the 1a which was active?).

    I paid £149 i think in around 84.

    Played it for a few years, but it was eventually replaced in 86/87 by a MIJ Fender Jazz Bass Special which was in a different league.

    It was a decent bass, slim neck IIRC and stayed in tune etc, but I never felt any need to try to get another for nostalgic reasons or otherwise.

    Do I need a compressor? Update - I've got one!

    in Effects

    Posted

    19 minutes ago, GremlinAndy said:

    Awesome.   Thanks for clarifying!   I reckon I’ll get one ordered just as soon as another purchase arrives.  (I don’t like having 2 valuable items in the system at a time.   I guess it’s a quirky foible)

    No, i am the same. Too many things in flight and I get jittery. And and my age easy to forget about stuff that never arrived 😂

    • Haha 1

    Do I need a compressor? Update - I've got one!

    in Effects

    Posted

    1 hour ago, GremlinAndy said:

    why the non-bass specific one?

    is there a good reason or is that just the one you have experience with.

    interested as I was close to getting the bass one.

    👍

    Just because it's the one I have. (The bass specific version didn't exist at the time I got mine).

    Not sure if there are any differences with the bass specific version w.r.t. the metering. 

    • Like 1

    NUBD KS BT5G

    in Bass Guitars

    Posted

    A new used bass day a few weeks ago. First bass bought for for about 5 or 6 years I think, so I made it count 😂

    This was formerly owned by at least two BCers. @ped and @Mastodon2.

    I think I asked @Mastodon2 about it about a year ago to let me know if he was ever inclined to sell it, and he was very kind to give me dibs on it recently, and a week to mull it over while I was on holiday.

    I'd previously owned a BSR5J so knew I would get on with the neck and 18mm string spacing. This is lovely bass and I guess a long term keeper given how rare they are and how much I enjoy playing it 😁

    @ped and @Mastodon2 wrote some reviews on some previous topics and I can't disagree with any of it.

     

     

     

    And here's a picture with my setup. Tecamp Puma into 1 of my ACME B1 cabs.

    PXL_20220519_103756498.jpg

    • Like 5

    Do I need a compressor? Update - I've got one!

    in Effects

    Posted

    Do you need a compressor? In a word, no. Will you like what it does to your sound? possibly yes.

    I got sucked into the ovnilab review site a few years ago, and made a few purchases to scratch the itch of trying some for myself.

    Just playing at home at the moment, they all "lift" the sound in a pleasant way, and depending on the pedal, will impart a more effected tonal character or not. So, consider if you want that, or a cleaner/clinical action.

    If you want clean with good metering and control over pretty much everything, I would recommend the Empress (non-bass specific) compressor.

    If you want similar but getting a "warmer" slightly more effected tone, the FEA Optifet sounds great, but the metering is not so good.

    The Origin Cali76 TX sounds broadly like the FEA, but more vintage tone (especially running at 18v, which is when the transformer starts operating and the tonal magic starts).

    Lastly, the Diamond bass comp and Durham Electronics Sex Drive. Both fewer controls, both sound great and easy to dial in a great tone. The Sex Drive can get a bit hairy, in a very pleasant way, and sounds great. The Diamond similarly good, but would maybe work better if you're more of a slapper, or just wanted a cleaner tone.

    Lastly, it's i think it's difficult, and futile to an extent, to try and describe this kind of thing. You have your own ears, so take the above with a pinch of salt, and try some for yourself 😁

    • Like 2

    PRICE DROP *£2800* *£2600* Zon Sonus 5 for sale, immaculate - Yorkshire, England - *SOLD*

    in Basses For Sale

    Posted · Edited by Gwilym
    typo

    21 hours ago, Devers95 said:

    Should have added for anyone wondering, its not got a huge fat neck. Its 17mm string spacing. So for anyone else looking, fear not, the neck doesn't feel like holding an ironing board! Unlike my new 6 string ACG coming next week. 

    The Wal neck will also be quite a bit chunkier I imagine. Lovely bass GLWTS.

    Shipping bass or guitar to USA

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Gwilym

    I sold a bass once to someone in the US. They arranged a courier (UPS) to collect, and all i had to do was package it up prior to collection. In fact, i didn't even do that myself, but that's another story.

    One benefit is that they do all the paperwork/customs declarations, and it may well be cheaper for them to book it from the US paying in dollars etc. Was about 15 years ago though so times may have changed :D

     

    p.s. that's a bass I should not have sold. Wal Mk 3 5 string fretless.😐

    • Like 1
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