Slap Bass Comparison Ken Smith - MTD - Tobias - Lakland

[@catboyzee]

This demo is str8 nuts, every bass has its own voice. You're groove is killing also, thanks for posting.

[@thedatabass602]

Thanks for the kind words!! :)

[@BARTFUNKBASS]

Tobias Toby Pro for me! Could you tell me the which pickups and preamp?

[@thedatabass602]

Hey man, thanks - I love this bass! If it wasn’t 16.5mm string spacing I would have been picking it up a lot more often but I’m used to my 19mm. Unfortunately the pickups are old Bartolini T-line which are discontinued and rarer than a hen’s teeth… but all Barts carry their signature sound so it should be fairly close with a modern day ones too. Preamp is Bartolini NTMB on that video I think.

[@thedatabass602]

Not sure how I’ve missed actually replying to your question - apologies about that! The pickups are some old Bartolini ones - I need to look up the exact model because they’re long discontinued, they do have the copper plate at the bottom rather than the epoxy or plastic plate they come with nowadays. The preamp was from a USA made Lakland that I had sitting around.

[@derekpierkowski7641]

I gotta Toby pro 5. It's hard to find any vids with them. Radius on the neck is alittle fat but other than that, it's a GREAT bass.

[@Bassic778]

Great demo!!!! They all sound great but the Tobias Signature 1988 and the Ken Smith Fusion Elite are my favorites!!!

[@pillbug1657]

I like how you look like you're thinking "God damn it.... I'm at work again."

[@thedatabass602]

Haha no mate it’s just my bass face. I love every minute I spend with a bass in my hands ;)

[@PhilosophicalCat]

Big fan of the MTD 535. They all sounded good though

[@thedatabass602]

Can't go wrong with an MTD :) Amazingly built and sounding basses.

[@axelleaxl.5315]

TTP & Ken Smith .... (my humble choice) Thanks for that funky music, White boy ! :D

[@davidhull6332]

Wow what a great collection of basses - my favorite in this comparison would be the Ken Smith/ ksd

[@geeush]

#1 MTD 535-24, #2 Lakland 55-94, ##3-4 Ken Smith Fusion, Cort Artisan. All subjective, of course, and for this particular groove. Thanks for the performance 🙏

[@Soundoverload]

The Tobias Toby Pro ind the beginning sounds incredible... also like the ‘Musicman’ - ish sound of the Lakland

[@thedatabass602]

Yes I love the sound of both, the Toby really improved when I upgraded the electronics, and the neck is slim and super fast.

[@Soundoverload]

@@thedatabass602 I forgot to ask - what upgrade of the electronics did you do, what kind of pre-amp & pickups??

[@thedatabass602]

@@Soundoverload that’s a good question... I know that the pickups are Bartolini but not sure which model exactly, the bass came with them when I bought it. When I have time I’ll pop one out and let you know. The preamp is Bartolini NTMB.

[@Soundoverload]

@@thedatabass602 That is so nice of you, thank you.

[@TheDynamiteGuy]

I love the way that Lakland sounds and the way in looks, the Tobias Sig 88 too, FIRE!

[@jessewilson3142]

The MTD 535 sounds beautiful.

[@giuseppeliviobrigandi3471]

Tobias Toby pro and lakland 55-01

[@ericplummer4089]

The mug!!! That says it all, and l went crazy over this song 40 some years ago because of the guitar solo😂😂😂. Play that funky music!

[@joesmithva757]

Ken Smith Elite, Toby Pro, and Lakland 55-01 were my favorites

[@jdub7604]

As already noted, excellent video. I especially appreciate the order in which you featured each instrument. Great job!

[@RobMLyon]

MTD all the way, but the Lakland was awesome

[@thedatabass602]

I really love both, incredible basses!

[@KW-qh1pd]

Hell yeah man!! You make ALL of them basses sound great,nice playing!!

[@thedatabass602]

K W thanks a lot mate, they’re all great instruments and easy to play :).

[@vicentedorileobarrosbass7037]

Sinceramente eu gostei mais do Tobias. Like com inscrição.

[@dslapster64]

Tobias signature and Ken Smitb Fusion

[@_Majoras]

great video but did you forget to turn up the volume on the cort artisan? seems quieter compared to the other basses

[@thedatabass602]

No, it just had a slightly lower output and less low end. I probably could have mixed it a bit louder in the mix though.

[@basstobasscookingbrentbabi5411]

Great video, killer collection and Everything thing Tobias and MTD rule👍🏼🤘🏼

[@coolaxe-dw4840]

The Toby Pro kills all of them🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@thedatabass602]

Haha I won't disagree :) Love that bass, the Bartolini pickups and preamp really made it sound way above its price range!

[@heacker62]

*Ken Smith = King*

[@thedatabass602]

Thank you, that’s a statement I wouldn’t dispute :)))

[@raymonegarnes5809]

They all sound great but the Smith is my heart!

[@Bubinga5]

The Lakland 5594 is a different class of bass. sounds like a great bass should.

[@thedatabass602]

You know I love them all but my 94 is my to go bass. Light, fast, punchy, ticks all the boxes!

[@biga6856]

Smith 👑

[@thedatabass602]

Smith is in a class of its own :)

[@joe700700]

@@thedatabass602 I agree.

[@yanivsh16]

For me (slap wise) Lakland 55-94 Mtd USA KSD jazz

[@joelsaldana2468]

Cort Artisan 🙌🏼🔥

[@thedatabass602]

Very comfortable bass to play, and very light too! Not a bad choice at all in its price range.

[@jordanhorvath675]

Man that tobias sig 88 cut threw wit power like a beast very punchy

[@thedatabass602]

This bass is like a typical 80’s macho man! :)

[@rickysanchez2714]

I would use the Ken smith proto J in this particular style of music.

[@rtvuratu8301]

KSmith sounds gr8 nd more balanced.... 💥💥💥💥💣💣💣🔥⚡🔥🔥🔥

[@davemau5e]

KEN SMITH FUSION ELITE = 👑 🤴

[@thedatabass602]

Love that bass!

[@coolaxe-dw4840]

1. Toby Pro, 2. Cort Artisan, 3. ....... everything else you demoed 🎸⚡

[@thedatabass602]

See that is the thing about instruments... each has its own magic and people like different ones, all the comments below are so different! I personally enjoyed the Cort a lot but it wouldn’t be my first choice for slap. Just comes to show that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Or the ear :))).

[@redquesada]

Ken smith, best slap ever 🔥🔥🔥

[@romanchekrygin5015]

respect this sense of rhythm

[@keithmcduffie7182]

Wow!!! 😯 Are All Those Basses His? LUCKY MAN!!!! 😀👍👍

[@thedatabass602]

Haha no mate, just hard working :). I’ve been playing bass for a living since ‘99, have no family so all my savings go into basses 👍🏼

[@mauricioemanuels7611]

both laklands and then mtd in this order

[@thedatabass602]

See I wouldn't disagree, although I'm not sure if I could pick an order, love them all for their differences.

[@mannyhernan5339]

Trade you that smith for A tobias pre-gibson signature 6

[@thedatabass602]

Thanks for the offer man, I don’t play 6s

[@SixStringS787]

Which version of the bartolini pickups and preamp did you put in that toby pro? That sounds amazing!!!

[@thedatabass602]

That is a very good question, and you aren’t the first person to ask. I’ll have to open it up to check the pickups, but the preamp is NTMB.

[@thedatabass602]

Ok they are old and labelled 72 MK5 C

[@SixStringS787]

Thanks man!! I'm about to order that toby pro and need that same sound you have on it!

[@thedatabass602]

@@SixStringS787 I don’t think you can find these same pickups nowadays unless they’re taken from some old bass. They were doing some strange things in the past, custom orders, non standard pickups and so on, mine might be some of those. I’d say look at their legacy pickups, not the modern CBC. Don’t get me wrong - the latter would also sound great and give you that Bart sound, but any of their replicas of older stuff would probably be closer. Also worth mentioning that on mine, the two coils are as further apart as their shell allows, whereas in some humbuckers the coils are closer together. And last - I have them wired in parallel. I always go parallel over series, just prefer the sound.

[@johansequera3889]

KSD THE BOSS😃😍😍😍

[@diegobassmandx9170]

Mtd 💙

[@strada21_]

You have some good basses 😮,, just sold my Tobias killer 😢

[@thedatabass602]

Thanks man and I’m sorry, I feel your pain, I’ve got some basses I’m really attached to and dread to think I’d part with them for some reason!

[@strada21_]

@@thedatabass602 thank you I apreciarte it , I still have my squire fender lol

[@jamessmith-zk4co]

Loving it man! My head is boppin!

[@thedatabass602]

Thanks mate, really appreciate it :)

[@Gachichou]

Thanks , great job !

[@thedatabass602]

Thank you so much!

[@senorsalmo1003]

MTD 535-24

[@jrosner6123]

You made them all sound good! The MTD was a standout for me, because it sat in the mix as if the recording was mastered. The Smith Fusion is classic. Great demo!

[@thedatabass602]

Thank you so much for the nice comment! :)

[@jrosner6123]

@@thedatabass602 you are most welcome! Keep making them videos!

[@christopherphinney9585]

Same thoughts!

[@MichaelWilliams-lo3ix]

Nice

[@williamk4dplus]

lakland 5594 has a really interesting voice

[@thedatabass602]

I love that bass. It is my most commonly used one.

[@NelsonMontana1234]

Yeah, some slight timber and volume differences, but all equally good.

[@thedatabass602]

Yes I think they all have their place in music and in the hands of different players.

[@jesusinpresa]

Ks combines all

[@thedatabass602]

That one is a favourite of mine too, and I would have taken it out for more gigs if it wasn't that heavy...

[@pudgeezudgee2309]

mtd for the win

[@mjmason75]

Ken Smith, then probably the Lakeland or MTD (Lakeland was a little heavy on the bottom end in this recording)

[@thedatabass602]

Thanks man. I’m fascinated with all the comments, just come to show how different people prefer different things, I personally am not a fan of the Smith’s slap sound but that doesn’t mean I think it’s bad, I just like some of the others more 👍🏼

[@mjmason75]

@@thedatabass602 Yeah, Ken Smith's have a great growl tone that rips. I slap on mine all the time, but I agree that it's more of a finger style bass. I have other basses that are better for slapping. My KS plays so nice though, I love it. I bought it new back in 1999, and it's a 1996 5-string Burner. Love it! Take care my friend!

[@joe700700]

The Smith is d king

[@thedatabass602]

Phenomenal bass!

[@Reapwhatsown]

Nice. The first Lakland was the best. Hmm. That maple fret board and hunk of ash. Damnnnn...that tone. Pfft...

[@thedatabass602]

And the Bartolini TCT preamp and XXP25C pickups wired in parallel that I had in it - that completely transformed the sound from what it was stock.

[@kenscorner6287]

Lakland brought the funk

[@thedatabass602]

Lakland IS the funk :))))

[@roadworn61]

MTD 535

[@thedatabass602]

Incredible basses. Never heard a bad one. Not even an average one. They're just awesome!

[@One-Bigg-Kydd]

I can't figure out why I like the Lakland 55-01 the most.

[@df4808]

l agree, he swapped the pups with the bartolini Mk5cbc !!! That tone is FIRE

[@thedatabass602]

Not sure how I’ve missed the comment, but better late than never - pickups are actually Bartolini XXP25C quad coils running in parallel and the preamp is Bartolini TCT - the reissue of what they were putting in the old Tobias basses back in ‘88 - ‘91 before they were bought by Gibson.

[@timrah5840]

MTD is boss !

[@emalamas4899]

Todas las eq flat supongo. Sino no tiene gracia...

[@thedatabass602]

ema lamas Ema I never use the EQ flat on any of my basses. They all have their sweet spot at a different setting where they sound best. There’s absolutely no point taking an advantage away since you can make a bass sound better with an EQ. I think it is pointless comparing active basses flat without using their potential. I’m sure there’s other comparisons who show basses in passive mode or flat, but I don’t want to show how the woods of these basses sound, I want to get the best (in my opinion) of every bass with the adjustments it offers including EQ, string and neck setup, even different playing approach to every different bass. Hope that helps :).

[@emalamas4899]

@@thedatabass602 no ingles

[@thedatabass602]

ema lamas Google translate ;).

[@emanuelbassist]

@@thedatabass602 Amen to that brother! Oh Was the Toby Pro stock? If not what/any thoughts I’ve got one coming my way. Thx, Manny

[@tiag0parma]

I dont know, the tobias is strong

[@jesuguru2394]

TOO MUCH TALKING!! j/k really great demo MTD 535 wins, Ken Smith (both) are great, surprise of the bunch is the Lakland 55-01

[@thedatabass602]

It’s my annoying laugh isn’t it.... 😂😂 The 01 is a great bass as it is but upgrading the electronics played a significant part in the sound here, especially the Bartolini TCT preamp.

[@SebTheSaviour]

...wait. THERE WAS NO BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAKLAND 5501 and 94. You've cheated.

[@thedatabass602]

😂😂 yeah kinda :) the 55-01 is pimped up with proper bartolini preamp and pickups.

[@SebTheSaviour]

@@thedatabass602 hah, busted! :D

[@thedatabass602]

@@SebTheSaviour oops guilty :) All the mods I’ve done to the basses are in the video description ;) the 55-01 actually has a Tobias TCT Bartolini preamp in

[@SebTheSaviour]

@@thedatabass602 basically there should be a bigger difference so I could expected that it was moded (but didn't read the description as you see!) :) However, even the 55-01 is a cool bass, a way better than the Sire :)

[@thedatabass602]

@@SebTheSaviour I’ve had Sire V7 and it was ok... too heavy though. Also sounded amazing on its own but couldn’t sit properly in the band. The build quality of the Asian made Laklands is superior but they cost twice as much as the Sire too...

[@vlsmitt]

How can we even hear the sound of basses when there is a high volume playback. It's absolutely useless.

[@thedatabass602]

Vlado, my idea was to show how these basses compare in sound context. I’ve found it that very often basses that sound incredible on their own, don’t really sound that nice in a mix - that’s why I’ve put them in context. There’s a lot of people who have commented - if you check comments below - that see the difference between them. I guess you’re just looking to hear something else, I’m sorry that my demo is aimed elsewhere. One day I’ll make one that compares them without playback, but to me, as a working musician, that has always been useless. Thanks for your comment.

[@vlsmitt]

@@thedatabass602 OK. Good intent. But if the music behind was without bass guitar it would be definitely better.

[@thedatabass602]

@@vlsmitt there’s no bass in the playback mate. It’s a no bass backing track taken from here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioPFqYaKnLVob7c

[@vlsmitt]

@@thedatabass602 Really? And what is the leading sound that starts before any other instrument? It is bass. And you play into it with the second bass. But never mind. It's better listenable on earphones. Regards.

[@thedatabass602]

@@vlsmitt if I’m not mistaken, that is a guitar...

[@davidandrews8397]

That’s no real Ken Smith 😳

[@thedatabass602]

Well, it is an unreal bass so I guess you could say that 😂

[@davidandrews8397]

@@thedatabass602 Well enjoy it my dude. If you really dig it, then you will absolutely love the real McCoy. I promise. I have a 1993 CR5, 1994 BT4G and a 2008 BSR6EG and the sound is infectious.🤓

[@thedatabass602]

@@davidandrews8397 lol dude my one is as real as it gets man. Don’t know where you got this idea that it isn’t 😂

[@davidandrews8397]

@@thedatabass602 Didn’t mean to insult you, that was not my intention. I guess the soap bar pickups compared to the jazz pickups have that classic smith sound. I apologize if my words didn’t really convey my feelings.

[@thedatabass602]

@@davidandrews8397 no I didn’t get offended - just saying it’s a genuine Fusion Elite triple 7, I’ve got the certificate and have checked the serial number with Ken. It might not sound to you as you expect it exactly because it is in a comparison video, but wherever I’ve played it, usually sound engineers are amazed that they don’t have to touch the channel EQ at all - which was actually Ken’s goal when he was creating it.

[@RenardGarzaro]

That is not a real smith

[@thedatabass602]

@@RenardGarzaro 😂😂 and what makes you think that?