Ken Smith J-Bass

[lowlife]

Does anyone have any knowledge of or experience with Ken Smith basses, specifically the J-Bass style.  I've made too many bad purchases in the past so this time I'd like to check out the member's knowledge base first.
 
Ellery (Lowlife)

[white_cloud]

There are different levels of Ken Smith basses,
 
Be aware that the burner basses are factory made in japan and not handmade US instruments!
 
Also, the through neck basses are much better than the bolt on models!
 
John.
 
(Message edited by white cloud on February 19, 2008)

[adriaan]

I think the Burner line was discontinued a couple of years ago already.
 
The KSD models are built in the Far East, and from what I've heard they are pretty good for what they are - mass produced, affordable Jazz copies. I may have picked one up from its stand in a store once, but I can't remember playing it.
 
It could be me, but I once picked up an all-wood Modulus Jazz copy from its stand, and it sounded so horrible acoustically that I didn't even bother plugging it in. I always liked the Yamaha offerings in the lower price ranges, even the passive ones.

[glocke]

Back in the 90's I owned a ken smith burner.  At the time I thought it was a great bass.  I unfortunately had to sell it, as I was finishing college and need cash to move.  I have always regretted that decision, and wish I still had that bass.  It was the first high qaulity instrument I ever owned.  
 
Since Mr. Smith himself had signed the control cavity cover, I also had always thought the burners were made in the USA.
 
Jsut as a side note, the smith factory is located about 20 minutes away from me in perkasie, PA.

[811952]

Hijack:  At the '81 NAMM show in Chicago, Ken gave me a lecture on how I was playing his bass all wrong..  Unbelieveable.    That's probably part of why I've never liked his instruments very much..
 
That said, a lot of the instruments coming out of Korea and even China are pretty nicely built.  Play it first, just to be safe.  I've got a Korean Lakland that has the most stable and even neck I've ever played.  It could really benefit from better electronics though..
 
John

[glocke]

delete
 
 
 
(Message edited by glocke on February 20, 2008)

[hydrargyrum]

'Ken gave me a lecture on how I was playing his bass all wrong..'
 
Were you playing with your feet or something?  You're not this guy by any chance are you?  
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI-xJSJ9AoY

[white_cloud]

Yes,
 
The burner was a japanese made bass - but let me tell you the guys in the land of the rising sun really are exceptionally talented guitar builders! Some of the very finest fenders were made in japan after all (and Tokai basses were just as good!)
 
Just thought I should clarify that as my first post could be misconstrued as a criticism
 
John.

[lowlife]

Thank you all for your input.
 
Ellery (Lowlife)

[bassman10096]

I owned a KSD fretless Jazz for a time.  Very nice bass, good sound, though rather heavy.  I sold it because fretless was not my greatest talent, but it inspired me to get in the market for another Jazz.  Unfortunately, there were no KSD J's available before I came across what looked like a good price on a rather unmemorable American Jazz.  I'd buy a KSD again in a heartbeat.  Nice bass at a fair price.

[811952]

I was playing with the auto-wah-ish filter thingy and not slapping/popping, which apparently was heresy...

[basstard]

White_cloud - I agree with you fully about the quality of Japanese instruments. I used to have an '81 Ibanez Roadster. Loved it to pieces. Had to sell it because I was in a horrible financial trouble (I always am, lol) and as I'm mainly a 5-string player a 4 was a commodity not a neccessity for me. Now, apart from two sweet 5-strings custom-built (for someone else and then bought by me 2nd hand) by Polish luthiers - a Nexus Shining 5 and a Malinek Fretless - I also have a beautiful Aria Rev-Sound Bass. It sounds a bit like a very angry Jazz Bass with added characteristics of a neck-through instrument. I bought it for peanuts from someone who couldn't be bothered with restoring it (and it DOES need restoration) and now I absolutely love it. A fantasic bass. I have an evil plan of  making it even more fantastic with Alembic p-ups and electronics one day...