Ken SmithBassHistory and Development

ElectricBassIn this context, who will go down in history as an inventor? Of course, electric...BassEveryone knows the name of Leo Fender, who created the Precision Bass, the first model of his.

There's no need to explain now how revolutionary the Precision Bass and Jazz Bass were. More than 10 years after their introduction, in the 1970s, electric bassBassThe era of Fender's dominance has ended, and the brand has entered a period of growth.

The first active was made for Jack Casady in 1972.BassRick Turner (Alembic) created this.

Ned Steinberger invented the headless guitar and graphite neck.

Teaming up with Steinberger for a compact modern designBassStewart Spector invented it.

And Ken Smith developed the innovative through-neck construction and tapered strings, which are now commonplace.

1972
Alembic was founded by Rick Turner, Ron Wickersham, and Bob Matthews.
First active for Jack Cassady and Stanley ClarkeBassI made it.

1975
5 stringsBassA year before its release, Carl Tompson made a 6-string guitar for Anthony Jackson.BassWe created a prototype, but it had problems with narrow string spacing, making it difficult to play, so it didn't become our main instrument.
After that, Anthony spent some time using a "Career Girl" bass, which combined a 70s Jazz Bass body with a 70s Precision Bass neck.BassI mainly used "[...]."

1976
PRS releases its first 5-string guitar for Tony Bang.BassHe made it, but at the same time, Alembic made a 5-string guitar for Jimmy Johnson.BassWe have delivered this, and with this slight difference, 5 stringBassAlembic was the first brand to bring this concept to market.

1977
Stuart Spector welcomed Vinnie Fodera as his first employee.

1978
Ken Smith has left Spector and started his own Ken Smith workshop.

1980
Ken Smith has moved to Heinney Fodera from Spector.

1981
Six years after the first 6-string guitar appeared, the 4-string career girl...BassAnthony Jackson, who mainly used a 6-string guitar, has now switched back to a 6-string guitar.BassTo obtain.
So he teamed up with Ken Smith, andBassIt was named Contrabass Guitar.

1983
Vinnie Fodera and Joey Lauricella, who was in charge of marketing for Ken Smith, teamed up to launch Fodera Guitars.
(He also worked at the Ken Smith workshop until around 1986.)

Looking at this timeline, modern electricBassIt can be seen that it is largely shaped by the events and inventions listed here.
Among them, the builder and brand that I particularly adore is "Ken Smith".

Ken Smith had been involved with double basses and electric guitars even before establishing his workshop.BassHe gained recognition as a musician and made a living by composing jingles for commercials and radio programs.
He was also skilled at repairing and modifying instruments for other musicians, and many artists in New York City commissioned him for this work.

Get himself initiallyBassI hadn't planned on launching a brand, but the first one created through a collaboration with Carl ThompsonBassThis experience led him to start his workshop in New York in 1978. Since then, his clientele has included top-tier bassists active in jazz and fusion, such as Anthony Jackson, John Patitucci, Felix Pastorius, and Melvin Davis.

After he set up his workshop, he later became an electric guitarBassHe has produced numerous inventions that have had a significant impact on the world. Let's look at some of his most representative achievements.

1978
First time using lock pins on an electric guitarBasstoRecruit。

1979
We developed the printed circuit board circuitry that is now commonplace.

I used graphite for neck reinforcement for the first time.Recruit。

We developed a pickup balancer and introduced an EQ control with a center click.

1981
Wide neck 6-stringBassWe commercialized it.

1983
Invented tapered core strings.

Around that time, we received a strange email with a photograph.

“Are you at all interested in purchasing a vintage Ken Smith?”

The photo that arrived is the current one.SmithBassUnlike that, it is undeniable that its appearance raises suspicions.BassThe headstock is very pointed, a metal plate is attached, and the bridge isBadassIt was attached.

“Made during Vinny Fodera time with Ken Smith.
Original bridge, Ken used Badass bridge at the time. Bass is in great shape, truss rod works the same. Very little wood oxidation, almost none.Bass is currently in Ken Smith shop.”

I see, that's incredible.BassI understood that it was an offer.
nowSmithSince it's in the shop, I wonder if it's undergoing maintenance.

“I am offering to your shop because a friend of mine that was visiting your shop a few years ago, maybe in 2018 or 2019 said you had Anthony Jackson Ken Smith 6 string. So I thought of you for vintage basses.”

Previously at our store,Contrabass GuitarWe have a history of receiving and selling prototypes of this product.
Given this history, it can be inferred that this offer is made with trust in our store, but we must be cautious when dealing with transactions from overseas.
Therefore, as we continued our conversation, asking questions along the way, the other person suggested that we try talking via video chat.

This was because they believed that seeing the person's face, hearing their voice, and confirming their background would provide a sense of security. It's quite humble for an American.

“want me to ask Ken Smith to join as well?”
“Sorry. How do you know each other”
“He is my father”

"Huh?"
The sender's name isJon SmithHowever, he actuallyKen SmithI never imagined he was his son.
It's strange, but I myselfKen Smith BSR5I just got itKen SmithLove is at its peak. Let's quickly arrange a video chat.JonThat's what we ended up talking about.

Now, let's move on to the important point of this discussion: the instrument that was offered to me.

Therefore, below, along with photographs of the instruments, we will discuss their history.JonI will describe it using the following words.

JonThe video chat began, and after we introduced ourselves, he told me about himself.

”I bought four string Ken Smith burner.
I know the burners are kind of popular, right?
So I messaged it was like guitar center. So I was like, hey, I'm interested in this place.
How much is it? And I thought it was, like, very nice, very great condition.”

HeUSA SmithNot, but made in JapanBurnerHe told me he had one.
When I heard this story, I secretly wondered if it was an act of rebellion against his father.

after that,JonteethKen SmithThey gave me a tour of the workshop.
ThereKen SmithBassPhotos of famous musicians and works in progressBassThey are lined up. What a precious experience this is; if I lived in America, I would want to go to the workshop immediately.

After the tour was over, it was finally time for the main event: the offer.BassLet's move on to that topic.

【SPEC】
BODY：Flamed Maple / Mahogany or Rosewood
NECK：Flamed Maple / Mahogany 5P
FINGERBOARD：Ebony
SCALE：34"
NUT WIDTH：37mm
PU：Ken Smith Original Humbucker
PRE-AMP：Ken Smith Original 9V
CONTROL：2Vol / 2Band EQ / PU SW / Phase SW / Pre-Amp SW
LYIGHT：4.45kg
CASE: Hardshell Case

“So now, let me show you the bass.
At this point, do you see how there's no serial number on the fingerboard?

That's because it's so early. Let me show you the rest.
These pickups are modern pickups, but originally, they had the older Bill Lawrence pickups.

Here is the original bridge he used to use. Can you see the bad ass bridge?
He used it until he made his own bridges.”

I see, indeed, in recent yearsSmithIt's a completely different situation.
I had seen it in photos, but seeing it in person really makes it feel real.

“This is how you know it's the Vinny Fodera era because of this back here, you know? Do you see that?
Look at the wooden back plate. It's the original back plate, made of Rosewood. “

“So, for example, when he looked up number 64, it was actually made after number 94 because the plates already had the numbers.

So when he started making the new circuit, he still had the old circuit that he was trying to get rid of. The bigger number could be older, up until maybe almost 200.”

“So, can you see the space from here to here? You get a feel for the size, right? On this one, it's narrower, right? It's smaller. This bass here, this is the first bass where the customer made a request. He said, "Hey Ken, can you move the back pickup away from the bridge and closer to the neck?" So Ken moved the back pickup farther away from the bridge. The original pickups were Bill Lawrence pickups.”

“RG 4. That was the name of the model.

The first one is, like, from his prototype all the way to maybe the first few. Now, I think there was a batch where he may have used Bartolini on four or five basses.”

“Vinny worked with my dad under a contract, I think, until 1986 or 1987. So this bass was made when Fodera was working for my dad.”

During92Year of manufactureBT6While it still retains some sharpness, it gradually becomes rounded.

Regarding the impression of the sound.SmithBassIn comparison, its center of gravity is set relatively low, giving it a less polished feel. It has a playful quality that makes it more suitable for pop, rock, and funk rather than jazz.

Also,BassPhase switches are rarely seen in this field,82year BT4In this case, turning on this phase switch reduces the bass, but in return, you can fully experience the "roaring" sound that is synonymous with the Smiths sound, and it is truly today'sSmithBassIt can be seen that this forms the basis of [something].

FendertypeBassIn that case,4/5/6The sound changes significantly depending on the strings,SmithBassIn that case, the difference is extremely small.4Because I want the sound of strings.4The fact that you don't have to compromise when choosing strings is also a fantastic advantage.