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

[thebassist]

On 06/09/2022 at 23:48, AndyTravis said:

Had an enjoyable evening with this.

 

Now…to find something to do with it.

Awesome! I’ve had my eyes open for a 6-string version for years now. There’s actually one on eBay at the moment but the price is ludicrous.

[OliverBlackman]

5 hours ago, thebassist said:

Awesome! I’ve had my eyes open for a 6-string version for years now. There’s actually one on eBay at the moment but the price is ludicrous.

Same one is slightly cheaper on reverb but the guy thinks it’s made in US. Might be able to use old  classifieds on here to convince them the price is wrong.

[OliverBlackman]

Just missed out on a 93 Bt5 on eBay. Hopefully it went to a basschatter

[obi 2 kenobi]

The one that went for £3400?

 

Not a bad price. 

[OliverBlackman]

1 minute ago, obi 2 kenobi said:

The one that went for £3400?

 

Not a bad price. 

Wasn’t bad at all. Not many bids were placed so don’t think there were too many aware of it or it was a case of bad timing.

[obi 2 kenobi]

Yes, I agree. Not often on eBay in UK. £3400 is a pretty good price when you compare with 2nd values of Wals and Alembics 

[Gwilym]

I see there's a BT6 (modified) just come up for sale at the bass gallery 

[Kiwi]

On 06/10/2022 at 01:34, obi 2 kenobi said:

Yes, I agree. Not often on eBay in UK. £3400 is a pretty good price when you compare with 2nd values of Wals and Alembics 

Unfortunately it's less good when you compare against the prices of used Smiths 6 years ago.  Inflation doesn't account for all the rise, as it doesn't with Wal's either.  Alembics have been chronically undervalued for decades, if you believe their new price is any basis for their used price.  In 2008 I could afford three BSRGN Smiths.   Three!  Such decadence would be the stuff of bucketlist fantasy now.  Just imagine if salaries had gone up by the same rate as boutique bass guitars.

[OliverBlackman]

2 hours ago, Kiwi said:

Unfortunately it's less good when you compare against the prices of used Smiths 6 years ago.  Inflation doesn't account for all the rise, as it doesn't with Wal's either.  Alembics have been chronically undervalued for decades, if you believe their new price is any basis for their used price.  In 2008 I could afford three BSRGN Smiths.   Three!  Such decadence would be the stuff of bucketlist fantasy now.  Just imagine if salaries had gone up by the same rate as boutique bass guitars.

If they had I would certainly be GAS free

[OliverBlackman]

8 hours ago, Gwilym said:

I see there's a BT6 (modified) just come up for sale at the bass gallery 

That’s sold now but they have Stanley Clarke’s Flying V!

[Cato]

9 minutes ago, OliverBlackman said:

That’s sold now but they have Stanley Clarke’s Flying V!

https://thebassgallery.com/products/ken-smith-bespoke-b-bass-1981-ex-stanley-clarke

 

I've never seen that before.

 

I can't decide whether it's a masterpiece or the ugliest guitar I've ever seen.

[Owen]

1 hour ago, Cato said:

https://thebassgallery.com/products/ken-smith-bespoke-b-bass-1981-ex-stanley-clarke

 

I've never seen that before.

 

I can't decide whether it's a masterpiece or the ugliest guitar I've ever seen.

That is very special indeed. 

[Kiwi]

2 hours ago, Cato said:

https://thebassgallery.com/products/ken-smith-bespoke-b-bass-1981-ex-stanley-clarke

 

I've never seen that before.

 

I can't decide whether it's a masterpiece or the ugliest guitar I've ever seen.

I remember seeing that for sale on EBay about 10 or 15 years ago.  IIRC the asking price was something like US$32,000 to help pay for the uni tuition fees for one of his kids.  

[Kevsy71]

That control panel!! Along with the cannon connector, abalone inlays and tailpiece there's a lot of Alembic influence there (probably no surprise given the original owner).

[Taa]

My Bsr 5 PE

Ebony Top and Back ( which seems very rare )
 

[Owen]

I have Smith Gas. I would love to try one. I cannot find one for sale in the UK. Any suggestions?

[Al Krow]

None at Bass Direct?

 

Just checked - they've one in stock

Edited March 12, 2023 by Al Krow

[Owen]

That shows how good my search skills are. I feel like I have let myself down

[Taa]

9 hours ago, Al Krow said:

None at Bass Direct?

 

Just checked - they've one in stock

To be honest , for me , that is not a proper Ken Smith bass.
For a Smith experience , one needs to try a BSR or BT. 

I just dont feel the same for the Burners or HF signatures 

[Owen]

7 hours ago, Taa said:

To be honest , for me , that is not a proper Ken Smith bass.
For a Smith experience , one needs to try a BSR or BT. 

I just dont feel the same for the Burners or HF signatures 

I am old enough to agree with you If a Smith is not all lighter wood down the middle etc, is it really a Smith?

[Taa]

57 minutes ago, Owen said:

I am old enough to agree with you If a Smith is not all lighter wood down the middle etc, is it really a Smith?

Plus maple fret board ? come on

[Taa]

I put a photo of mine here , if you want to try it and get a true Smith experience , not for sale though

[obi 2 kenobi]

Can’t beat a Smith 😀

 

though maybe selling the 5

[kuetsum]

On 13/03/2023 at 09:38, Taa said:

To be honest , for me , that is not a proper Ken Smith bass.
For a Smith experience , one needs to try a BSR or BT. 

I just dont feel the same for the Burners or HF signatures 

Indeed, surprised me the hf sound more like a super buffed jazz then a smith even it's a humbucker.

 

They are great instrument but sound very different 

 

[kuetsum]

Got the fresh 3way toggle switches install as a simple mod.

 

Happy with the sound when blending the series from the front and single coil from the rear.

 

 

Edited March 16, 2023 by kuetsum