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OliverBlackman

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Everything posted by OliverBlackman

  1. It’s worth pointing out my Stingray was a 2006 3EQ. I don’t think this was a particularly good production period and the 3EQ wasn’t punchy compared to the newest classic and special models. I haven’t played an older one but the 80s/ 90s models with 2EQ are supposed to be aggressive. In fact that’s what I loved about the USA SUB basses.
  2. Ken certainly sees it that Ken Smith basses are all down to the design and finish. I thought Vinny worked in Ken’s shop On the whole build but ken’s quoted here saying Vinny just did the carving separately. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/did-vinnie-fodera-backstabs-ken-smith.802514/
  3. I’ve only owned a thumb and stingray. Out of those two the thumb was much more powerful across the board.
  4. Possibly or possibly not. We’d have to wait and see how Brubaker’s turn out I guess and I think it just reinforces how important it is to try before buying (although pretty difficult with these instruments). In one of the other videos when discussing wood selection he said how they built five identical 6 strings and 2/5 had different characteristics to the other 3, although the preamp and pups will give the same flavour.
  5. 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 -
  6. Out of curiosity what would you want to do with it?
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. Sorry, was just justifying why you might bore of his clips
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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 🧐
  21. Looks like a white bitsa that someone’s coloured in.
  22. FYI, I follow your transcription topic and it is an awesome resource.
  23. 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.
  24. I think Sire. You get loads on a 2nd gen V7 for the money and the first gen I had was superb
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