Recreating the magic from the 60's and 70's Vintage Basses, Ken Smith is pleased to introduce the KSD Proto-J series. Drawing on his many years of experience as a studio professional in New York City and as a world class Luthier, Ken Smith designed the Proto-J series to meet the demands of Professional Bassists around the world. Ken incorporated many of the features found on his U.S. Basses into a design that is familiar and recognizable to many Bassists.

Please contact GB Guitars on either gb@gbguitars.wanadoo.co.uk or call 01273 220055 to try or buy one of these gorgeous basses.

 

 

 


 

Ken Smith Design 60's J Bass, 5 String 35" Scale

Based on the warm, vintage tones of Classic 60's recordings, the 60's Proto-J features a 3 piece alder body, maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard with dot markers, tobacco sunburst finish, 3-ply tortoise shell pickguard, and chrome hardware. The 60's Proto-J has a wide palette of sounds, but really shines in rock, r&b and jazz. 35" scale with 19mm string spacing at the bridge, exposed pole, alnico magnet j pickups, shielded electronics cavity, and a custom designed 2-band active circuit.


 

Ken Smith Design 70's J Bass, 5 String 35" Scale

Inspired by the legendary funk tones of the 70's, the 70's Proto-J features a 3 piece ash body, maple neck with a maple gloss fingerboard with block inlays and binding, natural see-thru finish, 3-ply black pickguard, and chrome hardware. The 70's Proto-J really excels in funk, soul and r&b. 5 String is 35" scale, 21 frets with 19mm string spacing at the bridge, exposed pole, alnico magnet J pickups, shielded electronics cavity and a custom designed 2-band active circuit. Artists on tour with their KSD 70's J 5 include Kirn Brantley on tour with Destiny Child, Byron Miller with Jennifer Lopez, "Ready" Freddie Washington, Melvin Lee Davis and Derrick Davis of Original "P" Funk Band and so many more on tour.





 

Ken Smith Design 70's J Bass, 4 String 34" Scale





 

Ken Smith Design Lined Fretless J Bass, 4 String 34" Scale

Product Description
If the sound of a fretless bass ever moved you, then the Proto-J may be perfect for you. The Proto-J lined fretless features a 3-piece alder body, and mple neck with a lined Ebonol fingerboard in Tobacco Sunburst. Hugh McDonald of BON JOVI has added this to his arsenel.






 

Ken Smith Design Lined Fretless J Bass, 5 String

Product Description
If the sound of a fretless bass ever moved you, then the Proto-J may be perfect for you. The Proto-J lined fretless features a 3-piece alder black body with a 3-ply black pickguard and black hardware. Watch WILL LEE on David Letterman playing his KSD Fretless 5 string.



 


Who's playing KSD Basses?

Freddie Washington and Richard BonaFreddie Washington, a long time Ken Smith player enjoyed playing the KSD for the first time at the Brooklyn Gear / Ken Smith NAMM booth in Anaheim 2003. Freddie said, “At this point in my life I don’t need any new basses but these (KSD’s) I like”. After the NAMM Show, Freddie called and spoke to Ken personally and expressed his interest in the 70's 5-string model that he played while performing with Marcus Miller and Richard Bona in a three way Bass Jam sponsored by EBS, Brooklyn Gear, and Ken Smith Basses.

Freddie Washington and Richard Bona"Ready” Freddie Washington takes KSD Basses to Japan Freddie Washington recently toured with "The Crusaders" in Japan using his new KSD 60’s 5-String and 70’s 5-string. He also had some time to lay down some tracks with his new KSD's. Freddie uses Ken Smith Masters Series Bass Strings on his KSD's as well.

ie Washington has played with everyone from Michael Jackson, Al Jarreau, Lionel Ritchie, B.B. King, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston , Aaron Nevell and so many others. Freddie's music has also been featured in the movie "Men in Black", where 'Will Smith' raps on Freddie's tune 'Forget Me Not'. Freddie has been synonymous with Ken Smith Basses for many years and has extended this to the new family of Ken Smith Designed Series Basses, “KSD” Proto-J.