Ken Smith
03-19-2012, 02:03 AM
It has been 13 months (1 year and a month) since the last price increases for our Basses. Many things have increased in price over the last few years and this past year as especially. As we run low on various parts and materials we have to re-order them and pay the current prices. Usually the increases are minimal but some things have gone way up. We bought our current stock of Ebony and Morado fingerboards about 12 years ago. As we run low and start to look to replace them, I find that regulations, wood costs, and Labor to cut the wood has changed. Our Ebony Fingerboard costs are more than 5x what they were 12 years ago. Fortunately, most things have gone up only moderately. Still, most of our Lumber is old and our customers have been enjoying the savings we made from buying the stock we have had for many years ago.
The prices for Smith Basses (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/PriceandOptionsList.htm) will go up on all orders placed as of April 1, 2012. The few Basses on our Stock List (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/bassavailability.html) will be held for one month more, through the month of April.
All Bolt-on models will go up $100/Street Price. The MS Neck-thru is up $100/Street Price as well. The GN and TN non-lacquered Neck Thrus are up $200/Street Price each. All Elite models EG,TNE and 25th models are up $400/Street Price each.
Options that have gone up reflect Labor and material costs combined.
Ebony Fingerboards for models with Morado/Pau-Ferro as standard go from $100 to $150 now.
Fretless models for the last few years as an economic courtesy are now back to $100 for all models with Ebony Fingerboards. This includes Lined or Blank boards. Several years ago, Lined Fretless was double. Bolt-ons and the MS models that get Morado as standard will be the combined cost for Ebony and Fretless of $250.
Lefty Models were once an up-charge and again we removed that charge as an economic courtesy. The Cases for all lefty models are custom modified as needed and cost nearly twice as much as the production models. Lefty models are now $200/Street Price extra across the board.
Top Dots as an addition for the Bolt-on thru MS models are now $150/Street Price, up $50.
The Wide 19mm option for 5 and 6 string neck thru models are now $100/Street Price more.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I don't mind discussing this at all so feel free to reply and post.
The prices for Smith Basses (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/PriceandOptionsList.htm) will go up on all orders placed as of April 1, 2012. The few Basses on our Stock List (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/bassavailability.html) will be held for one month more, through the month of April.
All Bolt-on models will go up $100/Street Price. The MS Neck-thru is up $100/Street Price as well. The GN and TN non-lacquered Neck Thrus are up $200/Street Price each. All Elite models EG,TNE and 25th models are up $400/Street Price each.
Options that have gone up reflect Labor and material costs combined.
Ebony Fingerboards for models with Morado/Pau-Ferro as standard go from $100 to $150 now.
Fretless models for the last few years as an economic courtesy are now back to $100 for all models with Ebony Fingerboards. This includes Lined or Blank boards. Several years ago, Lined Fretless was double. Bolt-ons and the MS models that get Morado as standard will be the combined cost for Ebony and Fretless of $250.
Lefty Models were once an up-charge and again we removed that charge as an economic courtesy. The Cases for all lefty models are custom modified as needed and cost nearly twice as much as the production models. Lefty models are now $200/Street Price extra across the board.
Top Dots as an addition for the Bolt-on thru MS models are now $150/Street Price, up $50.
The Wide 19mm option for 5 and 6 string neck thru models are now $100/Street Price more.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I don't mind discussing this at all so feel free to reply and post.