Josh

[quote]You have answered your problem yourself. Just don't buy "boutique basses" if you can satisfy your own demands with things you already have.[/quote] You know what, I think your right . I think maybe all I need is just one high end Jazz and that should be it. Not necessarily boutique but still rather sought after. [quote]Just concentrate on the music. The notes you produce are much more important, because in 99% of cases, especially for bass players, you will NEVER produce the sound live that you either hear on a CD, or in a recording situation. Just accept it.[/quote] Again, sound advice. [quote]I have been around a long time, and OCD is a common problem with bass players regarding gear. It makes up around 90% of the posts in this forum, for example. I have a lot of different basses/instruments. Sometimes you have to adapt to the instrument, and not expect it to be the other way round. [/quote] I think I just had high hopes for the bass, and they just fell short of the mark this time around. Oh well, someone else will benefit from it .

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='563090' date='Aug 7 2009, 09:37 PM']My 0.2c FWIW Ken Smith designs his necks deliberately to have a little bit of give. It helps with getting the growl. I could never get super low action on any of mine because they weren't designed like that. However if you use exposed core strings like La Bella Super Steps, you can still have low-ish action without needing to tweak the saddles much. Otherwise use lighter gauge or titanium strings to reduce the string tension and you won't need to fight against the action so much. Most wooden necked basses, unless they have super rigid necks like Alembic or Pedulla, will struggle to match a graphite neck for low action. Well constructed graphite necks are far more rigid and don't flex as much under string tension or when being fret dressed. If you don't like the sound of graphite necks then consider modifying your backline to compensate. For example, if you think a status kb is too cold then consider using a Mark Bass combo to add growl and to shave off some of that high end sizzle. Alternatively, do what I did and invest in a studio quality parametric eq. Graphite necks give you all the frequencies and wood tends to act like a selective dampener. The reason why Rob Green fills the Status Stealth basses with epoxy foam is because the foam also acts like a selective dampener and sweetens the tone up. So its up to you to find a bass that at least gives you what you're looking for in terms of growl and depth and remove those components you don't like hearing with your backline like sizzle or brittleness. Alternatively if you know what you want in a bass, and you know that what you want will give you the sound you want then go custom. I think you'll find it easier to solve your issues if you look at the bigger picture, your bass is one ingredient in a recipe that includes strings, preamp/power amp, speakers, stage acoustics, effects etc. modify each to get the flavour you are after. Personally I've found you can make the tone of a bass become more rounder with higher action but I've never liked that sound myself. Not growly enough. I tend to look for basses that are warm and growly and use my backline to modify the mids and highs to taste.[/quote] Thanks for that Steve. I did have a EBS rig previously and moved it on because it was ceaselessly harsh, even with the both the horn and treble cut. I love my GK rig, the KS sounds brilliant through it, there's no debate about the tone of the bass. It's the classic Smith warm growl. But, I just find it silly that I'm currently sat here with my Squier happily playing to some Stevie and it is almost effortless and the tone is just right (Admittedly some new picks ups would definitely help). All I've ever done to this bass is adjusted the bridge saddles a little, that's it. I did have another sit down with the Smith a few hours ago and tried a higher action and lighter touch, but the truth is I'm now sacrificing my own nuances, the things that make me an individual player. I don't want to have to do that. I really think I should move it on and I will. As mentioned, I've had basses which have been so easy to get my set up and I'm considering tracking down that very Sadowsky or a similar NYC 5 string.

[quote name='Shockwave' post='562997' date='Aug 7 2009, 06:53 PM']Good point with scale length, I hate 35" basses, the string tension is far too high and a bit of a stretch to play.[/quote] Remember now, both my MTD's were 35" scale and I had no problem. In regards to scale lengths though, I have no preference.

[quote name='Shockwave' post='562990' date='Aug 7 2009, 06:50 PM']You sure your that happy where your going, according to the thread title, you aint! Either way, i have a nice Pedulla Fretless 5 for you to play on in Bristol, if your ever in town, by all means come on over and play some poor intonated jazz.[/quote] I see this as more of a temporary road block, we all get them. I probably should of made that a bit more clearer, for that I apologise. Thanks for the offer Rob, a severe lack of wheels and skills forbids me from taking you up on it. [quote name='rslaing' post='562991' date='Aug 7 2009, 06:50 PM']It's a bolt on - the potential for setup is unlimited, unlike a neck through. One other question, are you using the same brand and gauge of strings on both the Squier and the new one? Also - what is the scale length of your new bass? Is the Squier the same or longer/shorter scale?[/quote] Pretty sure the Smith is 34", the Squier is 34" also. [quote name='bubinga5' post='562992' date='Aug 7 2009, 06:50 PM']Just stick with it Josh..there are so many factors involved that could put this right for you..Take it to a professional and explain your problem..thats what there there for...[/quote] Bridgwater has 2 luthiers, I've already had one bass set up by one (Whom I gave specific preferences to) and he actually managed to balls it up. And the other hasn't got the best reputation and has also fixed up my old Vintage V950, well...he said he identified and removed and replaced the pot that was causing the problem, yet it came back to me and still had the problem and when I asked him about having another look he refused and ceased all contact.

[quote name='rslaing' post='562986' date='Aug 7 2009, 06:46 PM']It's a bolt on - the potential for setup is unlimited, unlike a neck through. One other question, are you using the same brand and gauge of strings on both the Squier and the new one?[/quote] 2 different brands, both the same gauge though. But I have tried the Smith with a smaller set which I have lying around as well, but still no joy.

[quote name='Shockwave' post='562978' date='Aug 7 2009, 06:40 PM']Hehe, Well my intonation sucked alot when i first started playing fretless, but grew into it. It sounds to me you dont want to try and stick to new ways of playing. [/quote] Not in a negative way but I think your right. I like playing fretted and have grown accustomed to it and appreciate the fact that I'm more suited to fretted than fretless playing. Indeed I'd like to have another pop at fretless playing properly, but I'm just happy with where I am and with where I'm going .

[quote name='bubinga5' post='562966' date='Aug 7 2009, 06:27 PM']Josh..i know this might be difficult..but have you considered actually raising the action and trying to get used to it...i realised i was choking the note when playing harder so i raised the action slightly..i got used to it and can play just as fast as used to with a the super low action.. Bass strings need some breathing space, thats just there nature..Do not sell the Smith..you will regret it...its not the bass..maybe your tastes need a little adjusting bro... In my experience you really have to work with a good bass to achieve a comfortable medium...and you have one of best there is. Hard as it is i think you need to change your habbits not the bass..[/quote] I really don't think I should have to, considering I have had a number of basses which pull of my preferred action with ease, it's just been the tone that has lead me to moving those basses on. Both my MTD's pulled my action of with ease, if anything they helped me find my ideal set up, it's just ultimately one was a 6 string and the 535 didn't have my ideal tone. [quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='562967' date='Aug 7 2009, 06:28 PM']Bad workman blaming his tools. Work on your technique. Learn to play upright. That will sort your finger strength and intonation.[/quote] Cheers. The bass is not a fault, far from it, any other player could come along and pick it up and instantly be in love. I'm at fault because I'm so god damn fussy, I acknowledge that happily. And trust me when I say this, I pay very close attention to my technique and I know it needs work but for what I'm doing now I can't see any problem in my technique.

To clarify, I have raised the action on the Smith way beyond what I'm comfortable with, and I seriously don't like it, both tonewise and playability wise.

[quote name='alexclaber' post='562961' date='Aug 7 2009, 06:25 PM']Hang on. You dig in a lot, you have stupidly low action, tune down a full step and thus have very low tension, and you're complaining about notes choking off? You can't have it all! One of the perils of expensive neck-thru basses is that they have more sustain in the low harmonics, which equals more string excursion for a given input, and as string excursion tends to rotate with sustain it's in the sustain phase that the strings start hitting the frets. With a cheap bolt-on bass those lower harmonics last for much less time, hence the string doesn't have time to rotate and start hitting the frets. Raise the action and persevere. You may find that you come to like having a marginally higher action, if not the bass will probably have appreciated if you bought it used. Alex[/quote] Ahh no no, my rule of thumb is that if it doesn't show up on a recording it's legal, the note may indeed choke but the note is there and it is perfectly audible. And not meaning to come across as a cock Alex but I really do not like high actions, I really can't get on with them. A high action does not suit my style of playing at all, I'm exceedingly envious of guys who can play flawlessly yet on such an incredibly high action.

[quote name='ped' post='562959' date='Aug 7 2009, 06:22 PM']Plenty of other Graphite makers out there Josh -I couldn't see myself with one of those either![/quote] I forgot to mention that I did notice a loss of tone compared to normal wood necks, my KB did sound quite cold at times and left me as such. I don't know why, but I don't think I could ever go custom without the fear that my fussiness would just get the better of me and I would no doubt end up moving that bass on.

[quote name='ped' post='562948' date='Aug 7 2009, 06:03 PM']I share your setup tastes - have you considered graphite?[/quote] It has crossed my mind, and having previously had a King-Bass I know the benefits, but I for the life of me couldn't see myself with an S2 or another KB. [quote name='metaltime' post='562949' date='Aug 7 2009, 06:05 PM']Why not get a pro to set it up like you want it they might be able to work a bit of magic.[/quote] I don't really want to be spending money on something which may potentially hurt the value of this bass. [quote name='rslaing' post='562951' date='Aug 7 2009, 06:10 PM']Is your new bass a neck through or bolt on?[/quote] Bolt on. [quote name='Shockwave' post='562954' date='Aug 7 2009, 06:14 PM']I am the exact same as you with tastes to action. I use weakman strings as well! My solution was to go fretless! Even lower then and no frets to worry about buzz![/quote] That's crossed my mind as well, but I haven't really got the intonation skills to even risk it.

Apologies for the forthcoming rant. I think I'm almost at the end of my tether in regards to basses. I have been through a plethora of high-end basses over the last 6 months or so, and I haven't been able to settle on one for more than a couple of months before I move it on again because of stupid little things that I'm so fussy with it is quickly becoming a problem. I've only had my Smith for barely a week and I'm just about to ready to list it up for sale. While tonewise I can't fault it and love what I can get from it, but after constantly resetting the action over the last few days(Both the neck and bridge) I can not find my ideal and preferred set up. To clarify, my ideal set up is a stupidly low action, with minor buzz and the tension is usually quite low because I dig in a lot, and as such I compensate by playing a full step down. Ironically, my £200 Squier has this action and I achieved it with ease, yet on a £3000 boutique bass I can't seem to get anywhere near it without seriously choking a lot of the notes. I'm definitely not alone in being exceedingly fussy over set ups but I feel that I'm now almost too fussy for my own good. I'm irritated mainly because I've wanted a Smith for long time now and now I have one and was brilliant for the first few days, and now I really can't get on with it already...it's ridiculous. Again. I apologise for the rant but this is just getting silly now.

Crab-Monkey. 7:34 Alright 'Den.

A quick review, if I may: This bass is f***ing awesome. I thank you.

[quote name='Faithless' post='557523' date='Aug 1 2009, 12:53 AM']Does Ken Smith get a little bit more respect for [b]not [/b]making 4-stringers..? *Fellow ERB fan hides* Btw, Molan, was it very expensive?[/quote] No, he gets respect for making brilliant 4,5 and 6 string basses.

Can't wait to play this on Sunday Barrie.

Chic would be an ideal place for you start man, preferably: Good Times, Le Freak, I Want Your Love, Chic Cheer.

Love this song, I'm just still getting caught out with the chorus runs. This guy does a good cover as well:

The basic root notes of the groove are: E, C sharp, C, D. In that order.