Smith Pickups

[Owen]

Thanks to this video

I fancy a Ken Smith. At £5K from BD that is not going to happen anytime soon (as in at all before I die). Obviously there are all sorts of neck through stuff going on and build quality yadda yadda yadda. However, I have a bass I would happily plumb a couple of Smith Humbuckers into just for the craic. Do such a thing exist for bass bodgers like me to buy aftermarket or does anyone sell/wind Smith-alikes? I have found this but no prices http://www.kensmithbasses.com/parts-accessories/soapbar-pickups/

TIA

[Owen]

Just for reference, I have been doing my research and have emailed Armstrong Pickups cos internet lore has it that they make the originals 

[Reggaebass]

What bass was you going to put the smith pups in 🙂

[Owen]

I have a Korean MTD which cost me £180 2nd hand many years ago. It has my favourite neck, is super light and just resonates in a way I REALLY like. However, the pickups are......lacking. So plumbing something Smithesque in would be fun. 

[Reggaebass]

Just now, owen said:

I have a Korean MTD which cost me £180 2nd hand many years ago. It has my favourite neck, is super light and just resonates in a way I REALLY like. However, the pickups are......lacking. So plumbing something Smithesque in would be fun. 

Definitely, I’d be interested to know how it sounds, great project 

[Owen]

Of course I could just buy the 2nd hand one on here. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actually, I could not. 

Edited March 21, 2019 by owen
because he cannot spell

[ped]

https://m.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_ken-smith-bmt-9v_id6081773.html

 

https://m.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_ken-smith-soapbar-5-corde-standard_id6081780.html

 

Any use? I think one of the key elements of the Smith sound is the pickup location so you should try and place them the same if you can. 

[LukeFRC]

there's a KEN SMITH BSR5EG on a facebook group in London with asking price of £3,750 if that's of any use to you. 

[Owen]

Thanks for this. Very interesting, but I cannot work out if they are €300 all in or €300 for the pre and €300 for the pickups. However, the recipient bass is already routed for 2 MM humbuckers and I have found someone who will do me smith-esque pickups in shells to fit my bass. 

[Owen]

1 minute ago, LukeFRC said:

there's a KEN SMITH BSR5EG on a facebook group in London with asking price of £3,750 if that's of any use to you. 

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha

[LukeFRC]

we just need to convince @ped to come to the Midlands bass bash - that way you can try his Smith, I can compare his SB-1 to my L1000 and he can... erm enjoy trying that Felix preamp of yours? 

[Owen]

Don't forget the Hellborg and the API. He needs to try those as well. 

[LukeFRC]

Just now, owen said:

Don't forget the Hellborg and the API. He needs to try those as well. 

Well I didn't know what you're bringing so went on the smallest/most impressive ratio.

[ped]

Yeah I’m going to try and make it!!

[ped]

50 minutes ago, owen said:

Thanks for this. Very interesting, but I cannot work out if they are €300 all in or €300 for the pre and €300 for the pickups. However, the recipient bass is already routed for 2 MM humbuckers and I have found someone who will do me smith-esque pickups in shells to fit my bass. 

Think it’s 300 each. Yeah Armstrong makes them so should be easy to copy. 

[Owen]

If so, Smith and Wingbass with synth doobrie please. 

[ped]

46 minutes ago, LukeFRC said:

we just need to convince @ped to come to the Midlands bass bash - that way you can try his Smith, I can compare his SB-1 to my L1000 and he can... erm enjoy trying that Felix preamp of yours? 

Something tells me I’ll be returning from said bash with one empty gig bag and a new ‘acoustic’ bass 🤔😂

[LukeFRC]

36 minutes ago, ped said:

Yeah I’m going to try and make it!!

I was going to offer to meet you in my company carpark in Rothwell on the M1 and give you a lift ... but then my wife wanted her and the little one dropped of at her parents enroute so the cars full. 

Anyway!  You'll get to try the L1000 

NOW back on topic

Edited April 10, 2019 by LukeFRC

[ped]

10 minutes ago, LukeFRC said:

I was going to offer to meet you in my company carpark in Rothwell on the M1 and give you a lift ... but then my wife wanted her and the little one dropped of at her parents enroute so the cars full. 

Anyway!  You'll get to try the L1000 

NOW back on topic

Thanks very kind of you to think of me. I’ve got a family thing in the way but it could possibly happen on Sunday, just have to wait and see! I’m going to arrange a York bash though at some point.