Nick Smith - RIP

[slapmonsta]

There weren’t many people I’d have sold my (then) 25 year old greenburst Status Series one bass too after all we’d been through together  …but Nick nagged me for so long I eventually gave in !

About 18 months later he told me he’d let it go to a student of his,and did I want to buy it back ?I did of course,and Nick arranged for me to meet the lad in a cafe in Sheffield.Same price as I sold it for ..and that was the measure of the man.

 

Lost count of the number of chats we had,running prices and ideas past each other….nudging each other in the ribs at picking up a “bass bargain.”

 

He phoned me a short while back to

meet up for a local (to me) Genesis connected gig,and unfortunately I couldn’t make it…..
 

Nick,you were just a lovely guy and a great musician who had a precious gift of being able to bring people together.

 

Rest in peace my friend .

 

Steve.💙

Edited Saturday at 03:13 by slapmonsta

[FlatEric]

Only just seen this.

 

Sad news.

 

I never got to meet up with Nick. We exchanged messages about our collections and talked about a meet up several times but it never happened.

Another lesson on not to leave these things too long.

 

Thoughts go out to Nick's sister and family.

 

[Mike Brooks]

Live from 2pm...

 

 

[mikebass456]

Just got planet rock on in the shed here - dedication to Nick just being played now - Gary Moore.

Having a quiet moment to myself for a few moments. RIP Nick.

[ped]

We used to talk about Vigiers a lot, I’ll always remember his blue burst Arpege. There’s a picture of us at the first ever bass bash in Northampton somewhere. Very talented bassist and such a warm, friendly character. Felt like I knew him much better than I did. 

[snorkie635]

Never met Nick but so sad to hear of another good person passing.

[Mike Brooks]

Thank you to everyone that contributed this afternoon... and a pleasure to finally 'touch base/bass' with some of you. 

 

Mike

[Beedster]

29 minutes ago, Mike Brooks said:

Thank you to everyone that contributed this afternoon... and a pleasure to finally 'touch base/bass' with some of you. 

 

Mike

 

Is it available to watch for those of us who missed it Mike? 

[Beedster]

22 hours ago, Beedster said:

Andy, I get the sense that we need an event to remember Nick and a few others we’ve lost? It’s at times like this that we recognise we’re a real community ❤️

 

So how about a few of use get together and organise something, we have a lot of regional events, how about a national one? I'll help in any way I can and will donate a couple of Fenderish bitsas to auction to help cover costs? 

[Mike Brooks]

11 minutes ago, Beedster said:

 

Is it available to watch for those of us who missed it Mike? 

Yessir, same link...it will be available to watch until I pop my clogs....and probably even after that!

[AndyTravis]

1 hour ago, Mike Brooks said:

Thank you to everyone that contributed this afternoon... and a pleasure to finally 'touch base/bass' with some of you. 

 

Mike

It was great talking mate x

[Mike Brooks]

20 minutes ago, AndyTravis said:

It was great talking mate x

Likewise, squire! We should do it again soon!

[mr4stringz]

I’m so sorry to all of those who knew him. I didn’t, though I would say that it’s clear that Nick left an imprint on a lot of hearts. There’s not a nicer thing that can ever be said in my eyes. I wish nothing but the very best to you all.

[dub_junkie]

Didn't know Nick but I did message him when I imported my Klos Apollo bass direct from the States. I knew Nick was already playing one the same and we exchanged a few messages about the basses and his plan to put an active circuit in his. 

 

I also eventually managed to buy an Enfield bass a couple of months ago. I knew he was a demonstrator for the basses way back and I'd always hankered for one in part down to watching videos of him playing them.

 

An absolute superb player too. RIP. My condolences go to his family at this sad time 

Edited Saturday at 23:23 by dub_junkie

[lowdown]

I didn't know Nick other than posts on this board, but I stumbled across this terrible news on Facebook. It was very sad to read.

R.I.P.

[silverfoxnik]

On 24/01/2025 at 19:43, Beedster said:

Andy, I get the sense that we need an event to remember Nick and a few others we’ve lost? It’s at times like this that we recognise we’re a real community ❤️

Hi Chris, 

 

Happy to help with this if you want to take the idea further... 👍

[thedontcarebear]

20 hours ago, ped said:

We used to talk about Vigiers a lot, I’ll always remember his blue burst Arpege. There’s a picture of us at the first ever bass bash in Northampton somewhere. Very talented bassist and such a warm, friendly character. Felt like I knew him much better than I did. 

I bought a red vigier from Nick, not sure who I sold it to, must have been someone on here!  Should have kept that one.  He bought a Tokai Jazz from me many years ago too.

[Machines]

I'd met Nick a few times over the years at various bass bashes/shows, always seemed a great chap and an awesome musician. Despite only being acquaintances, it is a huge shock.

[louisthebass]

Nick was one of the cornerstones (imo) of this very site we all post on. I saw the initial posts on Facebook that Nick had gone missing as he was one of my friends on there, but hoped for the best. When it eventually transpired that he had passed away, I was shocked and saddened that he had gone at such an early age. 

 

My first encounters with Nick was in the very early 2000's on one of the old Level42 sites (think it was the Level 42 Digest, but I could be wrong - it was over 20 years ago), and then eventually on here. I also saw him a few times on the stands at the old London Bass Guitar shows, and just used to marvel at what an accomplished musician he really was. He always came across as a very welcoming type of guy, and always happy to help if he could.

 

Thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult moment in time, and a tragic loss to the music community in general. RIP Nick Smith. 😢

[Misdee]

I had a (very) long chat with Nick back in the 1990's when he phoned me about a bass I had for sale. He was a smashing bloke with a passion anything to do with playing the bass. A genuine enthusiast. 

 

Our paths crossed a few times on the internet in subsequent years and, just like everyone else has said, he was a lovely man who enjoyed sharing his passion for music with other people.

 

I'm shocked and saddened he is gone. May God rest his soul and grant him eternal peace.

[walshy]

22 hours ago, Mike Brooks said:

Thank you to everyone that contributed this afternoon... and a pleasure to finally 'touch base/bass' with some of you. 

 

Mike

Great show mate, well done all

[Bassman68]

Still trying to come to terms with this..

 

I’ve been out for the last 4 days gigging so had limited time/ internet to follow the story, I was aware that Nick had gone missing but the following news come as a shock…
 

RIP Nick

 

It was a pleasure knowing you, & you’ll be deeply missed..

[Mike Brooks]

1 hour ago, walshy said:

Great show mate, well done all

Thank you sir, will pay you a visit when I'm next up your way.

 

Mike

[walshy]

26 minutes ago, Mike Brooks said:

Thank you sir, will pay you a visit when I'm next up your way.

 

Mike

Anytime buddy. At The Guitar Show Birmingham soon with @AndyTravis if you’re passing. Be good to finally meet

[Rodders]

I met Nick 3 times, twice at NEC Music Live and once he came and spent 3 hours teaching me and was kind enough to let me try out his well loved Vigier, he was the first person I met who had synesthesia, he could tell what notes were by a colour he associated with them, from then on he was always happy to give advice and for me to ask questions. Such a sad loss to the bass community. RIP Nick.