Ken Smith Burner , opinions pleae

[itu]

  On 17/01/2025 at 09:21, Bass Direct said:

A true single coil pickup will always sound more 'open' and 'natural', than a dual coil that has been split in half

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My feel has been that single coils tend to sound somewhat compressed, no matter split duals or true singles. But that's probably because of my instruments, amps, and playing style.

[Bass Direct]

  On 17/01/2025 at 13:02, itu said:

My feel has been that single coils tend to sound somewhat compressed, no matter split duals or true singles. But that's probably because of my instruments, amps, and playing style.

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Whatever works best for you at the end of the day, there is no right or wrong.

[obi 2 kenobi]

  On 14/01/2025 at 21:36, LLOYDWT said:

 

Smiths of all flavours are all about the mids. The Burners are more "Jazz bass" than the Americans, but they're still very *SMITH* (I think it's all in the pickup positions). The modern Burners I've played are naturally woollier, whilst my BT6s are more focussed and "forward sounding." They can both do the pre-transient punch for that thing all Jaco fans are chasing but without the need to solo or favour the bridge pickup (which gives all Smiths more depth, IMO). My BT6s, and the other US Smiths I've played, have a more pronounced compression, but they're still really dynamic.

 

I used to like a really scooped sound, but the Smiths have such musical mids that sit so well in any mix that they've really dictated my tone since buying them.

 

If you're ever Ipswich way, you're welcome to try mine.

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That’s a fair summary. 
Had a Burner BSB 5 string (bought & sold here). Great build quality but 16mm spacing I couldn’t handle. 
 

Just sold a BT6 (also here). Amazing bass. Incredibly even tone across all notes likes a grand piano. 
 

Still have a BT5 (bought here). It’s a keeper. 
 

Are the HF basses set with 18mm spacing (same as the BT) or 17.5mm?

[obi 2 kenobi]

  On 14/01/2025 at 21:36, LLOYDWT said:

 

Smiths of all flavours are all about the mids. The Burners are more "Jazz bass" than the Americans, but they're still very *SMITH* (I think it's all in the pickup positions). The modern Burners I've played are naturally woollier, whilst my BT6s are more focussed and "forward sounding." They can both do the pre-transient punch for that thing all Jaco fans are chasing but without the need to solo or favour the bridge pickup (which gives all Smiths more depth, IMO). My BT6s, and the other US Smiths I've played, have a more pronounced compression, but they're still really dynamic.

 

I used to like a really scooped sound, but the Smiths have such musical mids that sit so well in any mix that they've really dictated my tone since buying them.

 

If you're ever Ipswich way, you're welcome to try mine.

Expand  

That’s a fair summary. 
Had a Burner BSB 5 string (bought & sold here). Great build quality but 16mm spacing I couldn’t handle. 
 

Just sold a BT6 (also here). Amazing bass. Incredibly even tone across all notes likes a grand piano. 
 

Still have a BT5 (bought here). It’s a keeper. 
 

Are the HF basses set with 18mm spacing (same as the BT) or 17.5mm?

[obi 2 kenobi]

  On 14/01/2025 at 21:36, LLOYDWT said:

 

Smiths of all flavours are all about the mids. The Burners are more "Jazz bass" than the Americans, but they're still very *SMITH* (I think it's all in the pickup positions). The modern Burners I've played are naturally woollier, whilst my BT6s are more focussed and "forward sounding." They can both do the pre-transient punch for that thing all Jaco fans are chasing but without the need to solo or favour the bridge pickup (which gives all Smiths more depth, IMO). My BT6s, and the other US Smiths I've played, have a more pronounced compression, but they're still really dynamic.

 

I used to like a really scooped sound, but the Smiths have such musical mids that sit so well in any mix that they've really dictated my tone since buying them.

 

If you're ever Ipswich way, you're welcome to try mine.

Expand  

That’s a fair summary. 
Had a Burner BSB 5 string (bought & sold here). Great build quality but 16mm spacing I couldn’t handle. 
 

Just sold a BT6 (also here). Amazing bass. Incredibly even tone across all notes likes a grand piano. 
 

Still have a BT5 (bought here). It’s a keeper. 
 

Are the HF basses set with 18mm spacing (same as the BT) or 17.5mm?

[Bass Direct]

  On 17/01/2025 at 14:38, obi 2 kenobi said:

That’s a fair summary. 
Had a Burner BSB 5 string (bought & sold here). Great build quality but 16mm spacing I couldn’t handle. 
 

Just sold a BT6 (also here). Amazing bass. Incredibly even tone across all notes likes a grand piano. 
 

Still have a BT5 (bought here). It’s a keeper. 
 

Are the HF basses set with 18mm spacing (same as the BT) or 17.5mm?

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17.5mm string spacing on these Hadrien Feraud Burners

[visog]

Well this is timely given our discussion and the chap demos that lovely pink coral one I posted earlier:

 

[kuetsum]

  On 17/01/2025 at 16:31, visog said:

Well this is timely given our discussion and the chap demos that lovely pink coral one I posted earlier:

 

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Oh my, that coral pink looks even better under the spot light, is it nitro or Polly?

[Bass Direct]

  On 17/01/2025 at 17:07, kuetsum said:

Oh my, that coral pink looks even better under the spot light, is it nitro or Polly?

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Poly on all these basses, looks absolutely stunning in person

[PinkMohawk]

They sound amazing, and I don't doubt for a second they feel even better, but I just can't handle the shape, either the body or the headstock. They just look wrong to me. 

[NickA]

And yet ... Hadrien Feraud seems to be playing a Mayones bass these days.  Sounds great.

 

..and I see bass direct has one of those too.

 

We can all sound like Hadrien 😂😂😂

[NickA]

Single piece bolt on neck, solid ash body.  Doesn't £3.5k seem a tad expensive? I wonder how much of that is the name badge.

 

MIJ not china or Indonesia I guess and full blown USA smiths are lots more of course, but also 10x the work involved in that classic smith construction and those exotic woods.

[spencer.b]

Yeah , I'm interested to know if the mij ones are hand built by one person like the US ones or is it more of a factory set up?

[PinkMohawk]

  On 18/01/2025 at 15:38, spencer.b said:

Yeah , I'm interested to know if the mij ones are hand built by one person like the US ones or is it more of a factory set up?

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Apparently they're being made by Sleek Elite, a custom shop in Japan, handmade under license. Which, for 3.5k it better be hand made. 

[Mrbigstuff]

  On 18/01/2025 at 14:12, NickA said:

Single piece bolt on neck, solid ash body.  Doesn't £3.5k seem a tad expensive? I wonder how much of that is the name badge.

 

MIJ not china or Indonesia I guess and full blown USA smiths are lots more of course, but also 10x the work involved in that classic smith construction and those exotic woods.

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It’s a top notch design made in small numbers to a very high standard. Of course the name increases demand, that’s the point of having the license.

[NickA]

I think my Dolphin was CNC and hand finished.  None the worse for it, rather lovely in fact.  Though the electronics look to have been hand soldered ( by apes). My Wal is totally hand made ( by 2 or 3 people) and actually, a bit squiff ( sounds ok tho), but the electronics are immaculate.

 

Nothing wrong with factory build if it's well done.  I'm guessing these smith lites are on a production line even if hand carved. we may never know.

[PinkMohawk]

  On 18/01/2025 at 16:08, NickA said:

I think my Dolphin was CNC and hand finished.  None the worse for it, rather lovely in fact.  Though the electronics look to have been hand soldered ( by apes). My Wal is totally hand made ( by 2 or 3 people) and actually, a bit squiff ( sounds ok tho), but the electronics are immaculate.

 

Nothing wrong with factory build if it's well done.  I'm guessing these smith lites are on a production line even if hand carved. we may never know.

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There's a public address for the shop in Japan making them, so if anyone fancied going along and having a peek in the window we could find out for sure

[Mikey D]

  On 18/01/2025 at 14:12, NickA said:

Single piece bolt on neck, solid ash body.  Doesn't £3.5k seem a tad expensive? I wonder how much of that is the name badge.

 

MIJ not china or Indonesia I guess and full blown USA smiths are lots more of course, but also 10x the work involved in that classic smith construction and those exotic woods.

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The e series as I understood it meant to be slightly most cost effective (cheaper doesn't seem the right word). If you look at another supper online there is a good £500 price difference once conversion done. That said only BD have them in UK so can charger whatever. Their last one was nearer to £3000 than £3500. Which is a shame as at the former I would have bought on the spot but I'm currently debating it at the slightly higher price. Plus conscious prices were increasing over the year but didn't expect a £500 uplift. 

[Mikey D]

Ok. Who bought "my" seafoam burner before I could? 🥲

[thebassist]

I love Smith Burner basses - I contacted Ken Smith a few months ago to ask if a six-string would be possible - unfortunately it was a no so I've gone the Maruszczyk route.

[simonlittle]

I recently got hold of the Hadrien Feraud Burner that was up for sale at The Gallery and I love it. Been looking for a good five string with 17.5mm string spacing for a while now. It’s definitely the sweet spot for me having played Warwick fives for so long in the past. 
The Smith is a really good weight (just over 4kg) but it is a bit neck-divey; currently investigating wider straps to try to solve that little niggle. Just slapped some Dunlop Super Brights on it and it’s really singing.

I’d definitely recommend checking them out if you’re after a really clean and fat sounding five-string. 

[chris_b]

  On 10/04/2025 at 12:12, simonlittle said:

The Smith is a really good weight (just over 4kg) but it is a bit neck-divey;

 

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Do you have Dunlop Strap locks fitted? They can extend the balance point an inch or two. That might be enough to correct  the neck dive.

[simonlittle]

  On 10/04/2025 at 12:15, chris_b said:

 

Do you have Dunlop Strap locks fitted? They can extend the balance point an inch or two. That might be enough to correct  the neck dive.

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Good idea! Might give that a try. Pretty sure I have at least one spare set knocking about in a drawer somewhere…

[Mrbigstuff]

  On 10/04/2025 at 09:19, thebassist said:

I love Smith Burner basses - I contacted Ken Smith a few months ago to ask if a six-string would be possible - unfortunately it was a no so I've gone the Maruszczyk route.

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They made a 6 burner with humbuckers I believe. Not as common as the 4s though.

[kuetsum]

  On 10/04/2025 at 18:36, Mrbigstuff said:

They made a 6 burner with humbuckers I believe. Not as common as the 4s though.

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I remember a bcer was selling one in blue and should be a pre 2000s run 

 

Have 16.5 mm as spacing