All of a sudden, I'm getting all these Ken Smith videos in my suggested video feed and I'm enjoying them. I actually bought an upright Bass from Ken in 1979 for $1600 and it was a converted 5 string Bass. Ken did the conversion to a standard 4 string Bass himself. I was studying with Bill Blossom of the NY Philharmonic at the time. I don't remember how I found him but I eventually called him. He invited me to his apartment in the Union square part of Manhattan. I think he was on W.13th street. We went to have a bite and talk Bass. We then came back to his place and I tried a few Basses and decided on one which I have to this day. I still have the original receipt! Keep on playing out there fellas. Best to all.
I've learned a lot. I first knew about Ken Smith Basses through the Bass Player magazine, then later watched Melvin Lee Davis playing one on the Lee Ritenour DVD. I contacted him and he offered to sell me a 5 Strings version, unfortunately I couldn't afford it at the time. One day, I'll get a Ken Smith 🤞🏿 Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤
I have a 07' BSR6EG with 7 piece wings and a 5 piece neck. Bought it brand new and gonna pass it to my son or grand child when I breath my last. I toured the shop back in 06' during a trip to the east coast. (I'm a cali guy) Got to see the operation up close and personal. When he says he has more wood in the basement, HE HAS MORE WOOD IN THE BASEMENT! Sat with Ken in his office talking about life and bass. He dropped a lot of knowledge on me then about the tonal effects of laminates and types of wood.
Not sure whether the theories on glued wood is true or not, all I know is Smith basses sound absolutely amazing! I've got an early 90s 5-string Burner Custom with quilted maple wings and the 5-piece maple/walnut neck, and even though I know a lot of the "purists" will argue that is isn't a real KS, it still floats my boat. I'd love to be in a position to order one of the basses as featured in this video though.
Knowing what I know now, I would have bought a BSR over a BT, largely b/c I had been playing a Charvel Fusion IV that had a more similar body shape. That said, if someone asked me to TRADE my CR-5G for a BSR, I wouldn't do it!! When I break down and get my next Smith, it'll be a BSR, as I do find the BT bass is neck heavy with a strap & I largely play standing up. I blame Huber-Breese for both my ability to get a Smith & the low BSR inventory they had back in '98 for my ultimate choice in bass. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I always thought CR stood for Chuck Rainey, and not Crunch Resonance. Loving this series Ken. I learn something new daily!!
It actually does make a difference….especially the moisture content of the wood. Ken takes the drying process very seriously so the wood barely moves after the instrument is sold
@@danevans292 the wood plays very little role in the tone All wood used to make guitars is dried lol I guarantee you could never tell the difference between a maple or rosewood fretboard or the difference between a maple or mahogany body.
All of a sudden, I'm getting all these Ken Smith videos in my suggested video feed and I'm enjoying them. I actually bought an upright Bass from Ken in 1979 for $1600 and it was a converted 5 string Bass. Ken did the conversion to a standard 4 string Bass himself. I was studying with Bill Blossom of the NY Philharmonic at the time. I don't remember how I found him but I eventually called him. He invited me to his apartment in the Union square part of Manhattan. I think he was on W.13th street. We went to have a bite and talk Bass. We then came back to his place and I tried a few Basses and decided on one which I have to this day. I still have the original receipt! Keep on playing out there fellas. Best to all.
i have a 7 piece BMT 97' and I love it! Thank you Ken🙏🏽
I like how Ken explains the tonal and visual differences between wood core laminates, very informative. Something I never considered before. Thanks.
As a native New Yorker, I can so appreciate this gentleman.
I've learned a lot. I first knew about Ken Smith Basses through the Bass Player magazine, then later watched Melvin Lee Davis playing one on the Lee Ritenour DVD. I contacted him and he offered to sell me a 5 Strings version, unfortunately I couldn't afford it at the time.
One day, I'll get a Ken Smith 🤞🏿
Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤
I have two of those Burners from '92-'95, and I love them. Thanks, Ken.
I have a 07' BSR6EG with 7 piece wings and a 5 piece neck. Bought it brand new and gonna pass it to my son or grand child when I breath my last. I toured the shop back in 06' during a trip to the east coast. (I'm a cali guy) Got to see the operation up close and personal. When he says he has more wood in the basement, HE HAS MORE WOOD IN THE BASEMENT! Sat with Ken in his office talking about life and bass. He dropped a lot of knowledge on me then about the tonal effects of laminates and types of wood.
Not sure whether the theories on glued wood is true or not, all I know is Smith basses sound absolutely amazing! I've got an early 90s 5-string Burner Custom with quilted maple wings and the 5-piece maple/walnut neck, and even though I know a lot of the "purists" will argue that is isn't a real KS, it still floats my boat. I'd love to be in a position to order one of the basses as featured in this video though.
I have a White Tiger 6. I use it in series 90% of the time. I like the option of parallel though. Versatility is always a bonus.
God I am dying for a Ken Smith. Just a 5 string BT. And I could die a happy man.
Like the way he explain with milkshakes!
Nice to see you again Sir Smith 😀😀😀😀
Thanks Ken! As always, such an informative and fun video.
Knowing what I know now, I would have bought a BSR over a BT, largely b/c I had been playing a Charvel Fusion IV that had a more similar body shape. That said, if someone asked me to TRADE my CR-5G for a BSR, I wouldn't do it!! When I break down and get my next Smith, it'll be a BSR, as I do find the BT bass is neck heavy with a strap & I largely play standing up. I blame Huber-Breese for both my ability to get a Smith & the low BSR inventory they had back in '98 for my ultimate choice in bass. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
I always thought CR stood for Chuck Rainey, and not Crunch Resonance. Loving this series Ken. I learn something new daily!!
Thanks so much for this videos.
awesome , thanks for making this videos Master, blessings
Good stuff! Thanks for answering my question. 🤙🏼
Thanks Ken! Learning a lot! Have you thought about including some of your endorsees in these videos?
I've got a 93 BT5 CR bolt-on in Flamed Koa 5 piece thick, 7 piece body.
Guess it was before its time.😊 Its swèet.
Saludos chee desde Argentina para vos donde se encuentra la fábrica.💯👍👍👍
Im looking for a knob concentric and two normals knobs. I can't find then. 😪Brazil is very difficult!
Your basses are beautiful.
Extraordinary Explanation,
any reason Why?
you leave out explaining what was the reason for changing the Wide Headstock in the BT's bodies?
I really like my BSR.
What a dream bass!!!
Many think the CR model stands for Church Rainey model...
One dislike...must be from a fodera fan...🤣
bellissimo!
Ken Smith is the answer to Alembic.
I love how all instrument makers act like the wood matters, its all in the electronics wood plays a VERY small role
It actually does make a difference….especially the moisture content of the wood. Ken takes the drying process very seriously so the wood barely moves after the instrument is sold
@@danevans292 the wood plays very little role in the tone All wood used to make guitars is dried lol I guarantee you could never tell the difference between a maple or rosewood fretboard or the difference between a maple or mahogany body.
I still have my BT5G from 1994. Her frets need some attention, but I’ll NEVER part with my Ken Smith bass!!!!!
Nice look, nice sound, poor ergonomics.