Building the World’s Greatest 100% Handmade Basses since 1978
Multi-String Electric Bass Pioneer Ken Smith has developed or introduced many of the innovations used on today’s basses which are now industry standards. Some of these include Printed Circuit Board Electronics, Graphite Inlaid Neck, Detented Balance and EQ controls, Low ‘B’ Design .128 and .130, and Taper Core Bass Strings. Ken Smith hand picks the wood for every bass from our in-house lumberyard, which features over 20 species of aged tonewoods. Visitors to the factory are awestruck by what is probably the largest collection and variety of acclimated musical-grade woods in the world. Inspired by the techniques of 16th – 19th Century European stringed instrument makers, Smith Basses are a marriage of Old World Tradition and Modern Innovation. Ken Smith supervises the production of each bass and still does the final set-up.
All Smith Basses are 100% handmade in USA at our shop in Perkasie, PA
- Highest Quality & Playable Handmade Basses since 1979
- All Woods are selected by Ken Smith for every Bass
- In-house Exotic Wood Lumberyard with over 20 species of Aged Exotic Tonewoods
- Final set-up of every Bass is still done by Ken Smith
- From beginning to end, Ken is supervising the making of your Bass every step of the way
- Where can I buy Smith Basses?
To Purchase a Smith Bass, please feel free to Contact us via e-mail or phone so we can direct you to the best source.
All About Ken Smith Basses
Did you know that Ken Smith is a Modern Bass Pioneer? He has pioneered, developed, and introduced many of the features used on today’s Basses that are now industry standards.
| Date | Part/Operation/Feature |
|---|---|
| 1978 | Inlaid Straplocks |
| 1979 | Printed Circuit Board Electronics |
| 1980 | Graphite Inlaid Neck |
| 1980 | Detented Balance Control |
| 1980 | Detented EQ Controls |
| 1981 | Wide Neck 6 String Bass |
| 1981 | Low 'B' Design .128 & .130 |
| 1983 | Wide Neck 5 String Bass |
| 1983 | Taper Core Bass Strings |
| 1983 | Compact Quick Release Bridge |
| 1986 | Replacement Bass/Treble Circuit |
| 2004 | 18-Volt 3-Band BMT Circuit with Internal DIP Switches |
| 2009 | PAPA Pre-Amp/Practice-Amp (Smith BMT in a Box!) |
| 1978 to the present | All wood selection & final set-up for every Bass is still done by the founder of the company Ken Smith |
These are some of the features and innovations that separate us from the rest.
“That’s why nothing feels & sounds like a Smith Bass!”