Ken Smith Chat - (NBD inside! Black Tiger 6)

[Al Krow]

Three Kens in a den!

[akabane]

@Al Krow Well, goodmorning to you sir! Ahah they all look beautiful! (Even though I'm not a fan of the Hadrien Feraud model, so I'm talking more about that White and Black tigers  )

Which one are you bringing home with you??  

[Al Krow]

Yes I'm a White & Black Tiger man also! Won't be bringing either of the ones shown above. At £5,250 new, they are a little eye watering for me in terms of price.

What I wasn't expecting (and shows how much I know) were the MTDs that Mark had in stock at BD which were even more expensive! 

The quality of finish on the Tiger range is just in a league above anything I have experienced, though, and the attention to detail on little things like single cast brass nut with individual raised slots for the strings (picture below).

I had a chance to play another BT he had in the store, which was actually the main reason for my visit to BD (more of that particular nearly-new KS anon) through an Aguilar DB 751 and Aggie 410 cab. It was a little moment of bass heaven for me - what a gorgeous rich tone this bass produces which was obviously not hurt by having one of the best available rigs to hear it through! Even got nods of approval from Mrs Krow! 

[akabane]

20 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

Yes I'm a White & Black Tiger man also! Won't be bringing either of the ones shown above. At £5,250 new, they are a little eye watering for me in terms of price.

What I wasn't expecting (and shows how much I know) were the MTDs that Mark had in stock at BD which were even more expensive! 

 The quality of finish on the Tiger range is just in a league above anything I have experienced, though, and the attention to detail on little things like single cast brass nut with individual raised slots for the strings (picture below).

 I had a chance to play another BT he had in the store, which was actually the main reason for my visit to BD (more of that particular nearly-new KS anon) through an Aguilar DB 751 and Aggie 410 cab. It was a little moment of bass heaven for me - what a gorgeous rich tone this bass produces which was obviously not hurt by having one of the best available rigs to hear it through! Even got nods of approval from Mrs Krow! 

Yes, the nut is one of those great touches that makes you appreciate a KS more

And yes! MTD (Michael Tobias Design) IS also very expensive, AND great sound and feel to match  

As far as the 'OG handmade bassmakers' go, back then it was Alembic, Michael Tobias, Ken Smith, Vinny Fodera, Carl Thompson, Stuart Spector. Any one of these are incredible instruments. 

To this day, Tobias (now MTD) builds everything in an incredibly small workshop in the middle of nature with his son (who's now started playing with headless designs!), a bit like Ken Smith when he was in Perkasie with his small crew of builders...and Fodera, originally a couple of blocks away from the Smith shop!

So yes, any of these cats will charge quite a lot for their instruments. They're all worth the money  

Edited June 17, 2019 by akabane

[NickA]

22 hours ago, Al Krow said:

At £5,250 new, they are a little eye watering for me in terms of price.

Less than a Fodera or a Wal ... or anything but the most basic of alembics. 

Bit of a bargain ... relatively speaking.

[ped]

Something I love about Smiths which you don’t really notice until you pick one up is how thin the bodies are. And with such a smooth neck transition the whole bass just feels so refined. 

[akabane]

1 hour ago, NickA said:

Less than a Fodera or a Wal ... or anything but the most basic of alembics. 

 Bit of a bargain ... relatively speaking.

Well, yes, in relative terms, you're right, considering that sound and craftmanship are really up there with the top ones, and been around for longer than most (longer than Fodera for sure )

However, I had to buy my beautiful Black Tiger second hand, and spent a cool £3100 which I had saved up for quite a while

If I came across £5/6k+ I'd directly contact Ken to have a custom one built!  

1 hour ago, ped said:

Something I love about Smiths which you don’t really notice until you pick one up is how thin the bodies are. And with such a smooth neck transition the whole bass just feels so refined. 

That is true! Incredibly thin and resonant bodies - I'm actually curious to try a BT on (always tried and now own BSR shape) to see how the weight distribution changes.

[Al Krow]

8 hours ago, ped said:

Something I love about Smiths which you don’t really notice until you pick one up is how thin the bodies are. And with such a smooth neck transition the whole bass just feels so refined. 

Yes, absolutely, 100% true!

 

Edited June 18, 2019 by Al Krow

[OliverBlackman]

2 hours ago, Al Krow said:

Yes, absolutely, 100% true!

 

Wow congratulations Al, is that the smaller bodied one? I tried it when it was new and was desperate for it but decided to get on the property ladder instead. Keep me in mind should you wish to part from it.

[NickA]

9 hours ago, akabane said:

had to buy my beautiful Black Tiger second hand,

More power to your elbow .. looks good as new.

Had to buy both my Wals 2nd hand.  Wouldn't even contemplate a new one at "prices FROM £6050".  2nd hand is definitely the way to go with these exotica .. you don't even lose out when selling on, so effectively free!   Not that I could bear to sell on.

[BassApprentice]

On 17/06/2019 at 00:32, Al Krow said:

Three Kens in a den!

Can't deny these are beautiful instruments! That Hadrien model looks incredible. 

[Al Krow]

19 hours ago, OliverBlackman said:

Wow congratulations Al, is that the smaller bodied one? I tried it when it was new and was desperate for it but decided to get on the property ladder instead. Keep me in mind should you wish to part from it.

Thanks very much Oliver, it is indeed the smaller bodied 'Studio' (according to Mark at BD) version. The smaller body means it's likely to be a little bit lighter than other KS's but, despite being 'super model thin' as with other KS's, it still weighs in at 9.7 lbs which reflects the quality of the woods used. To accommodate a 3 band EQ with the smaller body shape it has a stacked treble and bass EQ with separate mid EQ. It also has a front rather than the more common (for KS) side jack socket similar to Alembic basses.

One feature that the Tiger models have that the Hadrien doesn't appear to have, is the series and parallel switches for each pup. I generally prefer the 'standard' parallel (down) setting for both pups - this is very much the signature 'Smith' sound. The series (up) setting delivers a fatter, deeper tone with a reduction in the high end frequency; on the neck pup and with the treble dialled off, this provides a really nice vintage tone and I can see this particular combination coming into its own for 60s Motown.

My KS was originally bought by a French bass 'collector' back in Aug 2018 who then decided to part ex it for something else he had his eye on and I was able to get this almost new bass for a very decent discount. I almost ducked out of going up to BD to try it out as I really couldn't justify getting such a lovely bass for myself, but as soon as I picked it up and played it there was no doubt in my mind what a fantastic bass this was!

I'm fortunate to already have some really great basses but nothing quite in the league of this KS. When Mrs Krow heard the bass with my rig at home her immediate reaction was that, as well as being a beautiful bass, for her it tonally knocked all my other basses out of the park! I wasn't expecting such an immediate positive reaction from someone who isn't a bass player but nonetheless has a very good musical ear. But I can understand where she's coming from - it really is that good!

Edited June 19, 2019 by Al Krow

[akabane]

8 hours ago, Al Krow said:

Thanks very much Oliver, it is indeed the smaller bodied 'Studio' (according to Mark at BD) version. The smaller body means it's likely to be a little bit lighter than other KS's but, despite being 'super model thin' as with other KS's, it still weighs in at 9.7 lbs which reflects the quality of the woods used. To accommodate a 3 band EQ with the smaller body shape it has a stacked treble and bass EQ with separate mid EQ. It also has a front rather than the more common (for KS) side jack socket similar to Alembic basses. One feature that the Tiger models have that the Hadrien doesn't appear to have, is the series and parallel switches for each pup. I've already decided that I prefer the 'standard' parallel (down) setting for both pups rather than the fatter, deeper series (up) setting which also reduces the high end frequency.

My KS was originally bought by a French bass 'collector' back in Aug 2018 who then decided to part ex it for something else he had his eye on and I was able to get this almost new bass for a very decent discount. I almost ducked out of going up to BD to try it out as I was really couldn't justify getting such a lovely bass for myself, but as soon as I picked it up and played it there was no doubt in my mind what a fantastic bass this was!

I'm fortunate to already have some really great basses but nothing quite in the league of this KS. When Mrs Krow heard the bass with my rig at home her immediate reaction was, that as well as being a beautiful bass, for her it tonally knocked all my other basses out of the park! I wasn't expecting that immediate reaction from someone who isn't a bass player but nonetheless has a very good musical ear. But I can understand her reaction - it really is that good!

Congratulations! It's beautiful! You're right, it looks like a BSR shape but with a shorter upper horn and thinner body? 

[ped]

Did I miss your NBD thread @Al Krow?

[OliverBlackman]

9 hours ago, Al Krow said:

Thanks very much Oliver, it is indeed the smaller bodied 'Studio' (according to Mark at BD) version. The smaller body means it's likely to be a little bit lighter than other KS's but, despite being 'super model thin' as with other KS's, it still weighs in at 9.7 lbs which reflects the quality of the woods used. To accommodate a 3 band EQ with the smaller body shape it has a stacked treble and bass EQ with separate mid EQ. It also has a front rather than the more common (for KS) side jack socket similar to Alembic basses. One feature that the Tiger models have that the Hadrien doesn't appear to have, is the series and parallel switches for each pup. I've already decided that I prefer the 'standard' parallel (down) setting for both pups rather than the fatter, deeper series (up) setting which also reduces the high end frequency.

My KS was originally bought by a French bass 'collector' back in Aug 2018 who then decided to part ex it for something else he had his eye on and I was able to get this almost new bass for a very decent discount. I almost ducked out of going up to BD to try it out as I was really couldn't justify getting such a lovely bass for myself, but as soon as I picked it up and played it there was no doubt in my mind what a fantastic bass this was!

I'm fortunate to already have some really great basses but nothing quite in the league of this KS. When Mrs Krow heard the bass with my rig at home her immediate reaction was, that as well as being a beautiful bass, for her it tonally knocked all my other basses out of the park! I wasn't expecting that immediate reaction from someone who isn't a bass player but nonetheless has a very good musical ear. But I can understand her reaction - it really is that good!

The girls love it, mine had the same reaction even through headphones, but unfortunately for me it just wasn’t to be at that time. I’m glad it’s no longer in the hands of a collector though, that bass deserves to be played!

[Al Krow]

2 hours ago, ped said:

Did I miss your NBD thread @Al Krow?

Haha, no. The OP kindly made this a more general KS thread so I am more than happy to share my NBD pics and journey to getting one on here 

Many thanks to you, @lee650 and @NotAsGoodAsJaco, who all have or have previously had KS, for sharing your thoughts and experiences on these wonderful basses which played a big part in encouraging me to try one out. A final couple of pics from me which I hope you'll enjoy:

 

 

Edited June 19, 2019 by Al Krow

[NotAsGoodAsJaco]

I told you they were great! Congratulations.

once again I have Smith envy!

Edited June 19, 2019 by NotAsGoodAsJaco

[Al Krow]

5 hours ago, NotAsGoodAsJaco said:

I told you they were great! Congratulations.

once again I have Smith envy!

Yeah - you were spot on! It's always amazing to get such positive feedback about an instrument from someone who has since moved it on.

But would there be any possibility of KS customising one with wider string spacing to get you what you're particularly after?

[Al Krow]

@FLoydElgar - this is the relevant thread I think you were after, which I mentioned in my reply to your pm.

[CamdenRob]

Placed my order for a Black Tiger sixer yesterday 😊 nigh on identical to the one in the original post.

Six month wait now 😬 

[Al Krow]

1 hour ago, CamdenRob said:

Placed my order for a Black Tiger sixer yesterday 😊 nigh on identical to the one in the original post.

Six month wait now 😬 

OMG! Is your amazing bass collection about to get even more so?! 

[CamdenRob]

1 hour ago, Al Krow said:

OMG! Is your amazing bass collection about to get even more so?! 

I feel very lucky to have been in the position to order the basses I’ve had built over the last few years. Some potential work situation changes coming up next April might put me in a different position in the years to come, so I’ve promised myself another build whilst I can. A Smith seemed like the prefect addition to compliment the existing stable 😊 ...should land in around six months 😊

I’ve broken my self imposed “no gold hardware” rule as well 😕

Shout out to Bass Direct too 🙂. It was proving somewhat difficult to order direct and Mark stepped up to save the day 👍 

 

[Al Krow]

@Kevsy71 did I miss a NBD post about your new KS (was just browsing your Xotic FS)? Either way, pics please! How are you liking it so far?

[Kiwi]

I had my first Smith in 2003 - purchased as NOS from The Low End.  I will never forget the thrill of opening the case for the first time as I collected it, on my way through to China for the first time as well.  It was a gorgeous instrument and I actually left it behind when I left for the final time but a kind colleague brought it back.  Shortly after that I bought a 6 string as I'd always loved John Patitucci's sound pre-Yamaha, and then a rare 5 string fretless.  The fretless was eventually sold to Randy Hope Taylor who had the Gallery sling frets on it...

...then I sold them all within 6 weeks.  But they're great sounding instruments.

[Kevsy71]

1 hour ago, Al Krow said:

@Kevsy71 did I miss a NBD post about your new KS (was just browsing your Xotic FS)? Either way, pics please! How are you liking it so far?

Well spotted Sir! I've been too busy playing it to take pics 😁 

I'm delighted with it - playability and tones are amazing. And it has my name on the headstock. Will post pics and a longer write-up in the next few days...