NBD: Ken Smith Design (KSD) 6-String Jazz

[therealting]

After years of wanting a six-string Jazz bass and looking longingly at the likes of Bassmods and LowEnd Jazz models I. The States, I managed to pick up a KSD at the weekend. A surprisingly nice bass - I thought I’d be thrown by it being a fairly substantial bass compared to, say, my Dingwalls, but I actually found the bass fairly well balanced considering the extra tuner(s), the wide spacing and longer scale length (35”) manageable and the asymmetric neck more comfortable than the slimmer, narrower fanned-fret Ibanez Soundgear I had and sold on last year (it gave me hand cramps).

Anyone owned, tried or played one of these before? I think they might be / have been made in Korea. 

Edited January 29, 2018 by therealting

[Graham]

I played one of the Proto705s - the older model with the more Fender style headstock - in a London shop about 10 years ago, it was great and I wanted one for quite a while, indeed my current Lakland DJ5 is pretty close in specs.

[therealting]

Have now done four reading shows with this, jumping straight back in on six string after about five years, and have felt instantly comfortable. Might get a ramp made actually. Need to have a play with pickup height as the C string and B string feel slightly quiet, but am wondering if the previous owner mismatched string gauges as they don’t feel right to me. 

[Sibob]

I gigged a KSD 5 string for a few months (borrowed from a mate), and it was nice enough, weird preamp though.
Not sure I like the 3x3 headstock on a Jazz.....but as long as it works for you and sounds good

Si

[therealting]

It’s not my favourite headstock either, but then I haven’t really seen a perfect 6-string Jazz headstock really. It does mean that at least it fits in a standard case, and helps a little with balance and neck dive. 

[AndyTravis]

Yeah, if these pop up I keep an eye on them.

I like them. Handsome looking - the headstock works better than a massive 4+2 arrangement