If there is one thing my lovely wife has taught me is how to do is bargain shop. I have finally got my original Smith a playmate. The one on the left is my original Swamp Ash Ken Smith that I have had for about ten years, the one on the right is my newest, it is a Ken Smith Burly Maple J bass. I have been watching thing thing for about eight months at the Guitar Center in Robinson and I walked in tonight and they had marked it down to a price that I could not pass up. This bass is in very good shape for a 2001, it has the Smith palette of tones but with that J bass vibe. When I say this was a bargain, I will tell you that you could not pick up an American made Fender 5 for what I paid, actually you would pay just about the same for the Mexican made Deluxe 5.
My original has a Pau Ferro and the new one is Ebony. The new one has the J vibe but much warmer from a tonal perspective. All I have to do now is finish my new rig and I'll be ready to go. The only problem is that work pretty much precludes me from playing out at this time. With any luck that may change down the road sometime, but it still gives me enough time to practice.
Very nice! I've yet to have the honor of fondling a Smith! Are these the Burner series? How do they compare to the USA NTs as far as fit and finish?
I've never heard a bad thing about Ken Smiths. They seem to be doing everything right. I was very impressed by their strings. That's why I'm so anxious to try one of their basses!
MOONDOGGY wrote:Very nice! I've yet to have the honor of fondling a Smith!
Hey Dan! Don't get any ideas. I'm not that kind of guy.
MOONDOGGY wrote:Are these the Burner series? How do they compare to the USA NTs as far as fit and finish?
I've never heard a bad thing about Ken Smiths. They seem to be doing everything right. I was very impressed by their strings. That's why I'm so anxious to try one of their basses!
Neither one is a burner, they are both from the BSR series. My original one is a BSR5M-A and the new one is BSR5J-MW which is the designation for the maple wings. They are Smith's current standard offering which is what made the new one such a bargain, right now new they are around $5000 list. The fit and construction is flawless. He pays tremendous attention to the detail of his basses along with his pickup design is what really makes his basses what they are.
Bill,
Thanks, that first time anyone has told me I have a nice pair. (.)(.)