Ken Smith Basses
Ken Smith Basses is a privately held, founder-owned boutique manufacturer in Perkasie, Pennsylvania that builds handmade neck-through electric basses and double basses sold factory-direct to professional bassists worldwide, supported by an in-house strings and accessories line.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersPerkasie, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ken Smith Basses does
Ken Smith Basses is a privately held, founder-owned boutique manufacturer of handmade electric bass guitars and double basses, operating from Perkasie, Pennsylvania since its founding by Ken Smith in 1979. The company builds neck-through-body Elite basses priced from approximately $9,800 to over $10,500, alongside a double bass line priced from $10,000 to over $40,000, and supports the installed base with Ken Smith-branded strings, parts, and accessories. Production is constrained by a 3-5 month delivery window and a 20+ species in-house exotic tonewood aging program running 12-20+ years, indicating deliberately low unit volumes and a craft-first operating model.
The company's technical differentiation is concentrated in three areas: printed circuit board (PCB) based bass electronics, early commercialization of the low B string design, and proprietary taper core string construction. The 18V BMT (Bass Mid Treble) preamp circuit with DIP switches, introduced in 2004, and the P.A.P.A. pickup positioning system, introduced in 2009, are the most recent documented product engineering milestones. Distribution is exclusively factory-direct, with the company explicitly not selling through mass-market retailers such as Sam Ash or Guitar Center, which preserves margin and brand positioning but caps addressable throughput by design.
Ken Smith Basses serves professional and touring bassists globally who prioritize tonal specification, hand-built construction, and brand pedigree over price or availability. Headcount is reported in the 11-50 range and no external funding, M&A, or institutional ownership events are recorded. The business model is fundamentally a single-principal luthier brand, with revenue concentrated in slow-turning custom instruments and a smaller recurring tail from strings and accessories.
Ken Smith Basses firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ken Smith Basses
- Legal name
- Ken Smith Basses, Ltd.
- Website
- https://kensmithbasses.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ken Smith Basses is a privately held, founder-owned boutique manufacturer in Perkasie, Pennsylvania that builds handmade neck-through electric basses and double basses sold factory-direct to professional bassists worldwide, supported by an in-house strings and accessories line.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ken Smith Basses industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Handmade Electric and Acoustic Bass Guitars
- NAICS
- Musical Instrument Manufacturing (339992), Musical Instrument and Supplies Retailers (45914)
- SIC
- Musical Instruments (3931)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Musical Instruments (Acoustic & Electric) (MPAIAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Audio Accessories & Consumables (Cables, Stands, Cases, Strings, Picks, Heads) (MPAIAJAF)
Keywords
Where Ken Smith Basses is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Perkasie
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Ken Smith Basses business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Handmade Electric Basses: Custom 100% handmade electric bass guitars in 4, 5, 6, and 7 string configurations. Available in BSR and BT Vintage shapes. Elite Series with exotic woods priced from $9,800-$10,500.
- Smith Strings: Premium bass and guitar strings including Master Series (stainless steel), Bass Burner NPS (nickel plated steel), Compressor Series, and specialty strings. Priced from $6-$49 per set.
- Parts & Accessories: Proprietary replacement parts including QSR bridges, soapbar pickups, circuits, tuning machines, strap locks, gig bags, straps, and guitar polish/accessories.
- P.A.P.A. Pre-Amp/Practice Amp: Smith 18v B.M.T. 3-Band EQ system powered by 9v batteries or adapter. Functions as pre-amp or practice amp. List $469, Street Price $375.
- Vintage Double Basses: Professional and master grade double basses from $10,000 to $40,000+, including restored instruments from historic makers. Also sells double bass bows.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | BSR & BT Elite 'G' 4-String |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | BSR & BT Elite 'G' 5-String |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | BSR & BT Elite 'G' 6-String |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Tiger Elite Series 4-String |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Tiger Elite Series 5-String |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Tiger Elite Series 6-String |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Master Series Bass Strings (4-string sets) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Taper Core Bass Strings (4-string sets) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Compressor Bass Series |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | P.A.P.A. Pre-Amp/Practice Amp |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Smith Pro Formula Guitar Polish |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Smith Bass Gig Bag |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Smith Leather/Sheepskin Straps |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Double Basses $10,000-$40,000 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Double Basses $40,000+ |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Ken Smith Basses product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ken Smith Basses is a boutique manufacturer of 100% handmade electric bass guitars (4, 5, 6, and 7-string neck-thru models in the BSR & BT Elite 'G' and Tiger Elite Series) and professional/master grade acoustic double basses. The company also sells Smith-branded bass and guitar strings, proprietary replacement electronics (BMT circuits, soapbar pickups, QSR bridges), and accessories such as the P.A.P.A. pre-amp/practice amp, gig bags, straps, and polishes. Instruments are built to order with aged exotic tonewoods in the company's Perkasie, Pennsylvania workshop, with founder Ken Smith personally selecting wood and performing final setup on each bass.
Product overview
Ken Smith Basses is a boutique manufacturer of handcrafted electric and acoustic bass guitars, founded in 1979. The company produces 100% handmade instruments in the USA at their Perkasie, PA facility. Their product portfolio centers on the BSR & BT Elite 'G' and Tiger Elite Series electric bass guitars (neck-thru models featuring exotic woods, Smith B.M.T. 3-Band EQ circuits, and custom pickups), complemented by professional-grade acoustic double basses. The company also offers a comprehensive line of Smith Strings (Master Series, Bass Burner NPS, Specialty Strings for bass and guitar), electronic circuits, hardware parts (QSR bridges, tuning machines, straplocks, pickups), and accessories (P.A.P.A. pre-amp/practice amp, gig bags, straps, polishes). Ken Smith personally oversees all wood selection and final instrument setup, with a manufacturing process inspired by 16th-19th century European luthier techniques.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- BSR & BT Elite 'G' Electric Bass Neck-thru handmade electric bass guitars in BSR and BT shapes with exotic wood tops, lacquer finish, Smith B.M.T. 3-Band EQ 18-volt circuit with DIP switches. Available in 4, 5, and 6 string configurations, priced from $9,800–$10,500 with bag.
- Tiger Elite Series Electric Bass Neck-thru handmade electric bass guitars featuring figured walnut or tiger maple tops with catalyzed varnish finish, 5-piece laminated neck, Macassar ebony fingerboard, and Smith B.M.T. 3-Band EQ 18-volt circuit with DIP switches. Available in 4, 5, and 6 string configurations, priced from $9,800–$10,500 with bag.
- Professional and Master Grade Double Basses Acoustic double basses in professional and master grade categories, including restored vintage instruments from historic Italian, German, French, English, and American makers, personally curated by Ken Smith and prepared by his preferred Northeast luthier. Priced from $10,000 to $40,000+. Sold alongside select double bass bows.
- Smith Strings Complete line of bass and guitar strings including the Master Series (stainless steel and taper core custom balanced), Bass Burner NPS Series (round wound nickel plated steel), Specialty Strings (Compressor, Slick Round, Double Ball Ends), and guitar strings (Burner NPS electric, Crystal Bronze acoustic, Crystal Classics classical). Available at fine music stores and online string dealers. Priced $6–$49 per set.
- P.A.P.A. Pre-Amp / Practice-Amp Standalone Smith 18v B.M.T. 3-Band EQ pre-amp that doubles as a practice amp, powered by 9v batteries or adapter, with internal DIP system for frequency adjustments. List price $469; street price $375.
- Smith Pro Formula Guitar Polish Non-abrasive polish for lacquer finish instruments, sold in a 4 oz pump bottle at a street price of $8.00.
- Smith Classic Wax Polish Wax polish for oil/varnish finish instruments that cleans, protects, and restores original glow.
- Smith BMT & BT Replacement Circuits Replacement electronic circuit boards for Smith basses, including the Smith BMT 9/18 volt model with DIP panel switch and the Smith Concentric BT Circuit. Standard in all handmade USA Smith Basses since 2005.
- Smith Custom Soapbar Pickups Custom bass humbucking soapbar pickups available in 4, 5, 6, and 7 string models with various dimensions and configurations; proprietary Smith design with Series/Parallel/Single Coil 3-Way Switches for each pickup.
- QSR (Quick String Release) Bridges Machined solid brass bass bridges with quick string release mechanism and 19mm string spacing, available in chrome, black, or gold finishes for 4, 5, 6, and 7 string configurations.
- Smith Tuning Machines Tuning machines for Smith basses, available in chrome, black, or gold finishes.
- Dunlop Straploks Strap lock system offered in flush mount style for neck-thru basses and dual external style for bolt-on basses.
- Smith Bass Gig Bags High density foam padded gig bags with shoulder or backpack straps, water resistant materials. Street price $159.
- Smith Leather/Sheepskin Straps Genuine leather straps with adjustable leather/sheepskin shoulder pad, available in black ebony or English walnut colors. Street price $45.
Quantifiable outcome
- Battery life of 6-12 months depending on usage for active circuits drawing only 0.03 milliamps
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Ken Smith Basses
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ken Smith Basses technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Ken Smith Basses partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Ken Smith Basses competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Elrick Bass Guitars: Handcrafted boutique electric basses built by a small specialist team. Comparable on small-scale handmade production, neck-thru construction, and professional-bassist target market.
- Carl Thompson Guitars: One-man-shop boutique bass builder producing handmade custom electric basses. Comparable on founder-driven, low-volume, custom handmade model and professional clientele.
- Fodera Guitars: Brooklyn-based boutique builder of handmade electric bass guitars in a similar price tier. Directly comparable on product category, target customer (professional bassists), handmade USA construction, and premium ASP.
- Sadowsky Guitars: Premium handmade electric bass and guitar maker serving professional and prosumer players. Comparable on handmade construction, premium electronics, and prosumer-to-pro customer overlap.
- Roscoe Basses: Handmade boutique electric bass builder offering custom instruments to professional players. Comparable on custom handmade US construction and small-batch boutique model.
- Alembic: Long-established California boutique manufacturer of high-end electric basses and guitars known for proprietary electronics and exotic woods. Comparable on premium positioning, custom electronics, and professional-bassist customer base.
- Lakland Basses: US boutique bass manufacturer offering handmade and semi-handmade electric basses to professional and advanced players. Comparable on bass-only focus, USA manufacturing, and premium price positioning.
- Spector Basses: Premium electric bass brand known for neck-thru construction and high-end boutique models (NS series). Comparable on bass specialization, neck-thru construction, and pro-tier customer.
Broad incumbents
- Warwick Bass Guitars: Established German bass and guitar maker with a broad premium product line and global distribution. Comparable on premium handmade bass category but materially larger scale and broader portfolio than Ken Smith Basses.
- Tobias Basses: Historic boutique bass brand (now under Gibson) known for neck-thru designs favored by professional bassists. Comparable on boutique bass heritage and pro-player positioning, though Tobias now operates inside a much larger parent.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ken Smith Basses social profiles
Digital presenceKen Smith Basses financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ken Smith Basses leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Ken Smith Basses funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ken Smith Basses M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ken Smith Basses
What does Ken Smith Basses do?
Ken Smith Basses is a boutique manufacturer of 100% handmade electric bass guitars (4, 5, 6, and 7-string neck-thru models in the BSR & BT Elite 'G' and Tiger Elite Series) and professional/master grade acoustic double basses. The company also sells Smith-branded bass and guitar strings, proprietary replacement electronics (BMT circuits, soapbar pickups, QSR bridges), and accessories such as the P.A.P.A. pre-amp/practice amp, gig bags, straps, and polishes. Instruments are built to order with aged exotic tonewoods in the company's Perkasie, Pennsylvania workshop, with founder Ken Smith personally selecting wood and performing final setup on each bass.
Is Ken Smith Basses a public or private company?
Ken Smith Basses is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Ken Smith Basses founded?
Ken Smith Basses was founded in 1979. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ken Smith Basses based?
Ken Smith Basses is headquartered in Perkasie, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ken Smith Basses make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Handmade Electric Basses are the primary driver. The others are smith Strings, parts & Accessories, P.A.P.A. Pre-Amp/Practice Amp and vintage Double Basses.
Who are Ken Smith Basses's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Elrick Bass Guitars, Carl Thompson Guitars, Fodera Guitars, Sadowsky Guitars, Roscoe Basses, Alembic, Lakland Basses and Spector Basses. Broad incumbents are Warwick Bass Guitars and Tobias Basses.
Does Ken Smith Basses have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ken Smith Basses.
What industry is Ken Smith Basses in?
Ken Smith Basses's product category is Handmade Electric and Acoustic Bass Guitars. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAJAA, Musical Instruments (Acoustic & Electric), with a secondary code of MPAIAJAF, Audio Accessories & Consumables (Cables, Stands, Cases, Strings, Picks, Heads). Its NAICS code is 339992 and its SIC code is 3931.