The Ken Smith has just about the perfect "modern" tone - consistent, articulate, every note clear and distinct, but it also has just enough earthiness and roundness to create a horn-like quality. The Fenders sound the most organic - personally I've always preferred the "variability" of passive guitars as they seem to allow for the most expression through playing style. Foderas are gorgeous but sound nondescript here. I thought the fretless one sounded great, but the Jazz that followed it sounded better to my ear.
I think I like the Smith sound best but the Jazz is right up with it and a few thousand dollars less. I also have to admit that I'm not too crazy about the Precision. I'd like to see a Pedulla or Alembic added to the mix. Of course, your playing makes them all sound pretty good!
All the basses sounded good but that Ken Smith, though 🤘 Great demo, great playing, thanks ... aand I do love my Spector Euro lx5 with Emgs and Tone pump
The tone, and power w/ balance of the Ken smith is unmistakeable. My preferences are: 1) KS; 2) Fender Jazz; (I kept trying to hear just a little more bottom on the Jazz); 3) Fodera (fretted). IMHO, the P-Bass didn't have a chance for this kind of music. Also, I was wondering if the "P" had flats on it. But, the real winner is your articulation. Peace.
No question Foderas are outstanding instruments. I've never owned one, for the record. But I do own KS, Xotics, Sadowsky and some others. To me I was able to get close to Fodera tone with other bases. But I was never able to mimic the KS with anything other than KS. That said Smith is not for everything and these days I use Xotic PB/JB the most, sometimes Vlcek for heavy stuff. In your video I prefer KS for the specific tune.
As strung and dialed in this comparison I thought the Smith had the strongest and most compelling voice and the P had the most personality. The Jaco j was especially tight and strong on the lowest fretted notes which is not always a given with Fender recipe. The fretless Fodera was sweet and is probably lovely on a ballad. Others were more generic to my ears here. I am sure all wonderful in person and could be "made to work". Lol. Thanks for the fun listen
Ken Smith, Fender Jazz. As I prefer a four string bass and could never afford a Ken Smith, the Fender Jazz would be my choice: Leo just got it right. The Fender Precision is a great bass in its own right, but doesn't really show its best with this material. The Foderas made little impression on me, which I didn't expect. These head-to-head comparisons are genuinely useful.
Imo, Ken Smith basses provide the best, convincing, modern/"Improved" take on Jaco's original, burpy yet buttery, bridge pickup, Jazz Bass sound. I used to sell high end basses including KS basses back in the 90's and played many of them as a result. We used to commonly have 6 to 8 of his USA made basses in stock at all time, most of them 5 string of course. The fact that KS basses can produce one of Jaco's most iconic sound while also able to produce a very distinct sound of their own on demand, the Ken Smith sound, is indeed an enormous achievement. Ken Smith basses do not all sound the same though. Obviously, the tone wood selection for each instrument favors certain overtones, colors and dynamics. That being said, they all somehow consistently present variations on the now very unique and sought after Ken Smith sound. This is largely due to the fact that contrarily to most custom bass manufacturers, KS did not use off-the-shelf pickups that could be found on basses from other makers. KS pickups we developed for KS basses and are found only on KS basses. I can tell a bas player is playing a KS bass with my eyes closed the second they start slapping. Indeed, this is when the Ken Smith sound is most obvious in my opinion. I used to own one and sold it years ago. I have no regrets. They are extraordinary instruments. They are gorgeous, and extremely refined to the smallest detail and supremely easy to play, but the fact that they have a sound of their own, a signature sound, is a double edge sword. A KS does not 100% reproduce the sound of a P bass or some of the other iconic sounds J basses are known for. I play a lot of old school styles such as Motown, Reggae, Rock and Americana music. One can do it on a KS bass for sure. You will be in the ball park but if producing a bass sound that will be perceived as truely authentic is desired, a good P bass or J bass cannot be outdone. They ARE the original sound. The same goes for the sound of a Telecaster, Strat or Les Paul. On the other hand, if playing 90's Gospel or Fusion Jazz or other "experimental" styles is your thing, a KS might exactly be what the doctor ordered. Just don't mistakenly fall into the belief that a good J or P bass would prevent you from developing a sound of your own. They did not prevent Marcus miller, Jaco, James Jameson or Aston Barrett from doing so. They will not stop you either.
For this particular groove, the KS and Fodera fretless sound best to me, though the Fender JBs are not too far away. While P-bass is the Mother of all, of course)
For this track and the style of playing I’d go with the Fender P. But in terms of the tone and flexibility across genres of music I’d go with the Ken Smith.
The Smith’s tone, punch, and growl make it the clear standout but your playing technique really makes them all sound good.
Stole my thunder…
Ken Smith. Somehow, the brand isn't "fashionable" nowadays, but the sound speaks for itself.
The Ken Smith!!! The amazing tone is very addicting and never gets's old.
Ken Smith
The Ken Smith has just about the perfect "modern" tone - consistent, articulate, every note clear and distinct, but it also has just enough earthiness and roundness to create a horn-like quality. The Fenders sound the most organic - personally I've always preferred the "variability" of passive guitars as they seem to allow for the most expression through playing style. Foderas are gorgeous but sound nondescript here. I thought the fretless one sounded great, but the Jazz that followed it sounded better to my ear.
They ALL sound amazing! Just depends on the song and or the groove you need!! Great chops brother!! PEACE
🙏🤘
Ken Smith. Absolutely.
The Smith is the bass!
1)Ken Smith 2)Fender Précision 3)others
Ken Smith and Fender Jazz. 💯
Ken smith ,ken smith all the Time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
😁
The whole exercise proved one point, If you're a great player you can make anything sound good.
The Ken Smith
Fender precision is the best imo. The Ken Smith also sounds great. Almost a tie IMO
No joke, all of these basses are seriously awesome! mostly because, you sir are awesome! Ken/Fodera are equal to me.
🙏🤘
Ken Smith , Fender Jaco , Fodera fretless, my top 3 respectively.
👍👍👍
P bass takes the crown for me!
you make all those basses sound great. But that Smith!
🙏🤘
Your playing is good having a difficult time deciding!!
🙏
I think I like the Smith sound best but the Jazz is right up with it and a few thousand dollars less. I also have to admit that I'm not too crazy about the Precision. I'd like to see a Pedulla or Alembic added to the mix. Of course, your playing makes them all sound pretty good!
I like the old school tone of the Fenders… You can’t go wrong. Show up with a Fender to the gig and everything works…
All the basses sounded good but that Ken Smith, though 🤘
Great demo, great playing, thanks
... aand I do love my Spector Euro lx5 with Emgs and Tone pump
The ken smith without a doubt!
I had a Fodera and never bonded with it. The Smith sounds great but they tend to be neck heavy. Fender's for the win.
Those Bart’s on the Smith is where it’s at….but again, his finger technique would make a turd sound good!
And I want that shirt !
They all sound insane. I go for KS and Fretless Fodera
KEN SMITH siempre!
Precision!!
It’s the fender all the way for me, always has been always will be lol even though I love fodera
Fender jazz all day
Definitely the Smith.
For me, Ken Smith all the way
Paul 20.40 gmt Uk cheers
The tone, and power w/ balance of the Ken smith is unmistakeable. My preferences are: 1) KS; 2) Fender Jazz; (I kept trying to hear just a little more bottom on the Jazz); 3) Fodera (fretted). IMHO, the P-Bass didn't have a chance for this kind of music. Also, I was wondering if the "P" had flats on it. But, the real winner is your articulation. Peace.
Bit surprised that I chose the Jaco, but TBH the playing makes them all sound great. 👩🏻🍳💋
Fender Jazz Bass
Le son de la Ken Smith est terrible .
J’adore ton jeu , ça Groove ❤ . Bravo.
🙏🤘
Fodera is modern version of Jazz-bass
Ken Smith is in its own league....
All Great, Fender for the mix however 👍🏽
Gostei do Fender jazz Bass
Jazz Bass still nr1
The Smith for me..
No question Foderas are outstanding instruments. I've never owned one, for the record. But I do own KS, Xotics, Sadowsky and some others. To me I was able to get close to Fodera tone with other bases. But I was never able to mimic the KS with anything other than KS. That said Smith is not for everything and these days I use Xotic PB/JB the most, sometimes Vlcek for heavy stuff. In your video I prefer KS for the specific tune.
The Smith had the most balance, articulation and evenness throughout the range. The Fenders generally fit into the mix the best.
A bit surprised at myself, but I really liked the Ken Smith!
Yes please
Ken Smith was definitely the best sound
Smith is my favourite by far but I like all 3.
I want them all🤣🤣🤣
Ken Smith ... by far the best sound from those three basses.
Was 4 fretted basses + 3 fretless =7 basses.
jazz bass forever
The Ken Smith is my choice!
As strung and dialed in this comparison I thought the Smith had the strongest and most compelling voice and the P had the most personality. The Jaco j was especially tight and strong on the lowest fretted notes which is not always a given with Fender recipe. The fretless Fodera was sweet and is probably lovely on a ballad. Others were more generic to my ears here. I am sure all wonderful in person and could be "made to work". Lol.
Thanks for the fun listen
Honestly on a tune like this nothing beats… the ole’ P!
Which is better ? All of them are amazing basses ! 😁
Fodera monarch custom. Und ein mega cooles Shirt!
Das Shirt ist von einem mega coolen Typen👌👌👌muss ich das nächste mal noch besser präsentieren😎
The first the Smith's winns for me
Chouuuuu de bola
The Smith. And I love my Fodera but the Smith tone is what I’m really after.
Ken Smith first, then the Fender Jazz basses, but your finger style and tone make them all sound good!
Ken Smith, Fender Jazz. As I prefer a four string bass and could never afford a Ken Smith, the Fender Jazz would be my choice: Leo just got it right. The Fender Precision is a great bass in its own right, but doesn't really show its best with this material.
The Foderas made little impression on me, which I didn't expect. These head-to-head comparisons are genuinely useful.
💯
Imo, Ken Smith basses provide the best, convincing, modern/"Improved" take on Jaco's original, burpy yet buttery, bridge pickup, Jazz Bass sound. I used to sell high end basses including KS basses back in the 90's and played many of them as a result. We used to commonly have 6 to 8 of his USA made basses in stock at all time, most of them 5 string of course. The fact that KS basses can produce one of Jaco's most iconic sound while also able to produce a very distinct sound of their own on demand, the Ken Smith sound, is indeed an enormous achievement. Ken Smith basses do not all sound the same though. Obviously, the tone wood selection for each instrument favors certain overtones, colors and dynamics. That being said, they all somehow consistently present variations on the now very unique and sought after Ken Smith sound. This is largely due to the fact that contrarily to most custom bass manufacturers, KS did not use off-the-shelf pickups that could be found on basses from other makers. KS pickups we developed for KS basses and are found only on KS basses. I can tell a bas player is playing a KS bass with my eyes closed the second they start slapping. Indeed, this is when the Ken Smith sound is most obvious in my opinion. I used to own one and sold it years ago. I have no regrets. They are extraordinary instruments. They are gorgeous, and extremely refined to the smallest detail and supremely easy to play, but the fact that they have a sound of their own, a signature sound, is a double edge sword. A KS does not 100% reproduce the sound of a P bass or some of the other iconic sounds J basses are known for. I play a lot of old school styles such as Motown, Reggae, Rock and Americana music. One can do it on a KS bass for sure. You will be in the ball park but if producing a bass sound that will be perceived as truely authentic is desired, a good P bass or J bass cannot be outdone. They ARE the original sound. The same goes for the sound of a Telecaster, Strat or Les Paul. On the other hand, if playing 90's Gospel or Fusion Jazz or other "experimental" styles is your thing, a KS might exactly be what the doctor ordered. Just don't mistakenly fall into the belief that a good J or P bass would prevent you from developing a sound of your own. They did not prevent Marcus miller, Jaco, James Jameson or Aston Barrett from doing so. They will not stop you either.
Ken Smith and Fender Jaco Fretless.
smith baby! great playing
🙏🤘
Ken smith perfect punch and articulation
But fender precision unique sound
For solo ken smith in a mix any will do
I felt other than the P bass the rear Pick Up was favored. I really liked the P bass - Fender.
thats right, only the bridge pickup
Gah! I needs a Ken Smith I tells thee!
🤘👌
Smith all day every day.
Smith all the life
And jazz bass of course 😁
Honestly 1) Fender Jazz Bass. 2) Ken Smith. 3) Precision. 4) Fodera.
The Fodera Monarch std fretless is No.1!
nice~ jaco model ^^b
Ken Smith by far...
For this particular groove, the KS and Fodera fretless sound best to me, though the Fender JBs are not too far away. While P-bass is the Mother of all, of course)
KENSMITH ALL DAY
Both 😀. All are like a bugatti veyron on musician road. Too expensive for the common bass player. Just a wonderful dream.
I prefer Sandberg!
For this track and the style of playing I’d go with the Fender P. But in terms of the tone and flexibility across genres of music I’d go with the Ken Smith.
Jaco bass
Nice
Ken Smith All Day Long.....
I like very much Fodera,but in this video :Fender.Definitly.
very groovy playing, good tone in fingers!
Thanks 🙏
I think I prefer the one you play... Yep the one you're playing.
🙏🤘
P bass sounds best 👌
the fender p bass is the only bass I can afford 😂 honestly I'd take the fender p bass any day. all of them sounded great though
Fender jazz all day.
After hearing you play, I don't understand why Fedora is so expensive
Ken
P bass as classic full sound, Fodera modern next
For this particular piece, I thought the p-bass sounded best.
What about that super dope riff ? I just subscribed and liked !
Yes please and send me the sheet 😁
Ken Smith 1st place. 2nd place Fender Jaco fretless. 3rd Fodera Monarch. The Smith eclipsed them all IMO.
All of them basses sounds good! Of course You did a excellent job playing finger stile but in my humble opinion #1 the Smith bass then the Fodera.
🙏🤘
the fenders
Ken Smith by far, than Fender Jazz, Fender P, Fodera. Fretless: Fender first than Fodera
What strings did you use on the fretless basses?
fodera strings
Fender jazz bass
Ken smith
Pbass here!
Fender jazz