Mrbigstuff

Today’s Q & A with Ken suggests that they had been carving the woods in house until only a couple of years back. He did also say though that throughout the years various build stages had been sub contracted to help cope with demand. might be of interest -

Out of curiosity what would you want to do with it?

This is the only vid I could see on YT which I guess is part of the video your referring too. Ken Smith has actually just added some new vids to their channel. In one he explains how he outsourced the gloss coating finish to a piano company. Am I correct in thinking you had a few Smiths but moved them on after a disagreement with Ken on this forum? I half remember it really kicked off.

It was my understanding that it was only the hardware that was outsourced but electronics and crafting was done by a small in house team. I’ve seen Brubaker basses around but they don’t seem as popular as other boutique basses which makes me wonder if it’s because they are just not as good.

I’m sure they will be great basses, just not what I’m looking for. The price they command is huge, and therefore I also expect to pay for the reputation Ken/ his team has as a builder. I’m no longer at a point where basses are tools and the boutique basses offer something further than design for me.

For me, in my head it is no longer a Ken Smith. I’m sure the end result is probably no different but Ken earned the reputation as a builder and its one of his basses I desire.

I believe when the battery runs out you are meant to just sell it 😇. I wish people would stop banging the drums for Ken Smiths. It’s bad enough that he’s stopped making them, all the available ones will sell in minutes.

I’ve never been asked to advertise a bass but if I was I would probably approach it with a different mindset to wedding gigs. Just explaining the reason for an artist who’s slapped based music can range from engaging to annoying.

Sorry, was just justifying why you might bore of his clips

I get what you’re saying Dave but in his shows he is playing songs for an audience to enjoy. He’s openly admitted in most videos on YouTube he is just doing the slap thing because that’s what brands pay him to do.

Victor Wooten said in a recent interview with Janek Gwizdala that he slaps predominantly because it is too painful for him to play with his fingers, so he developed something else. Even though when I saw his gig in London he slapped the whole thing, it didn't once irritate me because he still keeps it musical.

Must admit I have found this myself (A terrible ‘63 comes to mind), but of those that I thought were great, nothing currently available (new) compares tonally.

I’ve actually found a huge difference between Fender basses, even between ones produced in the same run (such is the lack of QC). IMO, with the 60’s and 70’s basses, it isn’t just hype.

If they could get them to actually sound like vintage basses I would be all over them. Even the Custom shop, squier 80’s JV and Fullerton reissues that I have tried fell well short. Ive not tried a Moollon but they’re supposed to be close and limelight have a good reputation. I don’t know if it is because the woods they used back then aren’t available now or the original pickup designs are hard to mass produce, but I do find it strange that the reissues are so lacking tonally.

Never tried a 5 string P, but the best I have ever played was a 67 Fender at Wunjos. Compared to the 63 the shop also had the 67 had something very special about it, it was also very roadworn.

It’s all in the fingers! A Fender P bass is versatile enough. What you really need is a glove that lets you have other musicians fingers. Ie you can switch from Jaco to Entwhistle, Geddy Lee to Marcus Miller. Come to think of it, why does Scott Devine wear gloves 🧐

Looks like a white bitsa that someone’s coloured in.

FYI, I follow your transcription topic and it is an awesome resource.

No one is saying expensive basses are a rip off, just that they tend to have characteristics to suit particular performance/ aesthetic preferences and a beginner is unlikely to know what their preferences are yet. This is not Harry Potter, the wand doesn't choose you. Also expensive basses tend to depreciate more in value. By arguing you are helping nobody, especially not yourself.

I think Sire. You get loads on a 2nd gen V7 for the money and the first gen I had was superb

You’ve clearly not read properly. The advice is that there are lots of variations and what Configuration suits the player is not known by a beginner, therefore what is the “best”? Starting with a cheaper bass will save money as the player works out what he/ she likes. For example I have a need for a Squier VMJ but not a Sandberg or US G&L.

Thought I’d break down my gear story as it may help and I reckon others have similar experience: started when I was around 12-13 and had a Jim Deacon starter kit. Good standard bass but had it in my head it was cheap so must be rubbish. Next up was an epiphone Thunderbird because I liked rock - it was an awful bass that played and sounded terrible. Then I saw a bass player use a 5 string Warwick on an old Ozzy DVD. So I got an active 5 string Rockbass - Good bass but I didn’t know how to get the best out of it. Around 16 I tried a Mexican Fender precision in a shop and loved it - I still have this bass 14 years later but with upgraded pickups. I think it was after the precision I wanted a more rock look so bought a Jackson bass off eBay - an ok sounding bass but nothing incredible. Around 17 I was into the chilli peppers and so wanted a stingray. Loved the USA SUB basses but they had just been discontinued so was very fortunate to get a USA 3EQ stingray - gorgeous bass but didn’t sound as good as it looked. I also wanted to upgrade my 5 string and saw a used American Deluxe Precision on eBay going cheep so I bought that - again looked gorgeous but the preamp was rubbish. Roll on the uni years and I joined basschat - I traded most of my basses with other members and ended up with a Tokai jazz bass, Warwick thumb fretless, Overwater custom Jazz 5 string. I no longer have any of these following struggle for work after uni so they were all sold. But the point of this post, is to illustrate that gear really is a journey and you have to learn what works for you and doesn’t. My early motivation was aesthetics and gear snobbery which meant a lot of money was spent. Now I know exactly what works for me and I haven’t bought another bass in the last 5 years. All the while I have tried out gear in shops including stuff at the time I couldn’t afford and even some stuff I’ll never be able to afford. But this has all helped me know what is what. I wouldn’t be surprised if quite a few basschatters have been on a similar gear journey. Embrace it and enjoy it, it’s part of the fun 😁

You’re on basschat now, it won’t last a year 😂

Just get yourself to www.thebassgallery.com in Camden. Those guys really know what they’re selling and will give you loads of good advice.

I received the nickels yesterday and I do like them. They are not at all zingy and feel quite old school which is different compared with most new strings out the box. They also have a higher tension than what I’m used to but they are probably just a heavier gauge. I’ll see how much wear they leave on the fretboard but I can see them being my new go to. I’m going to be interested in hearing about the flats and if they are more like la bellas or thomastiks.