jsixties Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 (edited) 100% Original and unmolested 1986 Ken Smith BT, handmade possibly by Vinnie Fodera. Comes with the original teardrop case and Dunlop Dual straplocks. Perfect condition, just some finger wear and tiny marks but no issues of any kind. Very low weight and action without any buzz at all. This bass sounds TERRIFIC either in pasive or active mode. The construction is the better example of an old american era. Pure luxury. Let the pictures speaks for themselves NOW SOLD. CONGRATS TO THE NEW OWNER! Edited October 17, 2010 by jsixties Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Holy sh*t. This is very, very cool. Pondering how much i like my balls, vs how much i want this bass. I'd be in far too much trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsixties Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 Hi Andy, absolutely. Soap bars magic all the way in one of the most incredible luthier's work ever done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Alas mate, my big bass sell off has left me with the funds to clear debts, not obtain amazingly hot 1986 Smith Basses. Damn my sensible head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsixties Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 You have a home here in Spain Andy, so anytime you wish come to play it with a cup of good spanish wine. Basses are only basses mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Going off to have a think, maybe some Californian white will make me more susceptible! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsixties Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 Forget american, australian and italian wines, my promise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Oh thats a nice bass. The 80's models are a bit growlier and punchier than the 90's ones. [quote name='jsixties' post='990630' date='Oct 16 2010, 08:19 PM']Hi Andy, absolutely. Soap bars magic all the way in one of the most incredible luthier's work ever done.[/quote] Ken doesn't actually make the basses himself. He pays people to make them for him and then he quality checks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsixties Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 You're right. He didn't make all the bass but the electronics and all the final checking. In any chance it's a tremendous luthier work as I know you agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 That squared off neck joint reminded me that Vinny Fodera was working with Ken Smith for a while in the 80's. [url="http://www.fodera.com/artists/wooten/book/bassexc.htm"]http://www.fodera.com/artists/wooten/book/bassexc.htm[/url] [i]"In 1981, Fodera left Spector and formed an alliance with bassist/designer Ken Smith. Together, they opened a small shop in Brooklyn, New York, the same shop Fodera Guitars calls home today. Smith supplied the initial funding and, in return, Vinnie made him one custom bass per week. The arrangement continued long after Vinnie eventually bought the company from Smith in 1983. Vinnie Fodera essentially paid Ken Smith for the business with basses."[/i] So technically, if you bought a 81 to maybe 86 Smith, you'd be buying a Fodera... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsixties Posted October 17, 2010 Author Share Posted October 17, 2010 What you mentioned makes sense mate, this is the same I was told in an american forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 I never knew Ken Smith didn't build the basses! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JensWest Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 (edited) [quote name='Chris2112' post='990856' date='Oct 17 2010, 08:35 AM']I never knew Ken Smith didn't build the basses![/quote] Here's an explanation from Ken him self: [url="http://www.smithbassforums.com/showthread.php?t=1374"]http://www.smithbassforums.com/showthread.php?t=1374[/url] Edit: If you'd have to be a member to read, here's a quote: "For most of the basses produced we have had 2 people in the set-up working on them. They always come to my bench for the last few final steps as well as any adjustments that I feel the bass needs. For the last year or so I have been doing 'both' set-up and assembly jobs. I would prefer doing only one of the two jobs if at all possible. Start and Finish does not mean start 'thru' finish. It just means that I am involved at the beginning, the end and in-between when needed. The final set-up is always me. I like knowing what goes in the case!" / Ken Edited October 17, 2010 by JensWest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee650 Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 oh wow, thats one spectacular looking bass, and must say with the dovetail neck and the inlays it does look very fodera esqe!!! half the price of a used monarch and probably just as good IMO!!! im a big fan of smiths and i dearly love mine, whoever gets this will be one happy bunny- big bump!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsixties Posted October 17, 2010 Author Share Posted October 17, 2010 Thank you so much for nice words mate. I agree with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee650 Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 youve got to tell us who got it i actually learned something from this sale, i actually thought someof foderas designs were taken from ken smith, i do think now thats probably not the case, mind you the emporer design is very reminiscent of spector and the fender jazz IMO, which is why i bloody love it!!!! congratulations to the new owner a true beauty!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Wow - nice work, glad someone did it before i sold a kidney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee650 Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 [quote name='AndyTravis' post='991712' date='Oct 17 2010, 10:13 PM']Wow - nice work, glad someone did it before i sold a kidney.[/quote] It wasnt you then andy is was hoping it was!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 If Paypal sorts it's head out in the morning, the Burner is mine. I thought long and hard, but the decision was made for me by the lucky bugger who got this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee650 Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 [quote name='AndyTravis' post='991752' date='Oct 17 2010, 10:49 PM']If Paypal sorts it's head out in the morning, the Burner is mine. I thought long and hard, but the decision was made for me by the lucky bugger who got this.[/quote] Cool congrats on a lovely bass!!! me, you and matt (overwater#1) will have to form the northwest Ken smith apprecialtion society he,s got a black tiger 6 and ive a BSR5 MW, should make for some interesting comparisons great bass mate- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 (edited) [quote name='lee650' post='991802' date='Oct 17 2010, 11:29 PM']Cool congrats on a lovely bass!!! me, you and matt (overwater#1) will have to form the northwest Ken smith apprecialtion society he,s got a black tiger 6 and ive a BSR5 MW, should make for some interesting comparisons great bass mate- [/quote] I really want a black tiger 4...but this will stop the gap until i win the lottery. Something like this next.... [url="http://www.thelowend.net/gallery/viewtopic.php?t=4572&sid=1bc3001e84798c1b5debbe571ca979ca"]http://www.thelowend.net/gallery/viewtopic...debbe571ca979ca[/url] Edited October 17, 2010 by AndyTravis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsixties Posted October 17, 2010 Author Share Posted October 17, 2010 Andy, I asked Brian Lowend for this one minutes after the ad was on line... and it have been sold already! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 haha, well, the Burner will be more than enough for the next few years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsixties Posted October 17, 2010 Author Share Posted October 17, 2010 You will be shocked with the tone and playability of the Burner Artist, my promise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee650 Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 (edited) [quote name='AndyTravis' post='991804' date='Oct 17 2010, 11:31 PM']I really want a black tiger 4...but this will stop the gap until i win the lottery. Something like this next.... [url="http://www.thelowend.net/gallery/viewtopic.php?t=4572&sid=1bc3001e84798c1b5debbe571ca979ca"]http://www.thelowend.net/gallery/viewtopic...debbe571ca979ca[/url][/quote] Yeah i agree, a black tiger elite 5 has always been top of my gas list, overwater#1 BT6 is bloody gorgeous, but im not a six kinda guy, the fusion elite has always had me foaming at the mouth but you are right def a lottery win bass, a pic of mine found on photo bucket by a previous owner [attachment=61672:Ken_smit...tobucket.htm] And posing [attachment=61678:P1010005.JPG] Edited October 17, 2010 by lee650 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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