ToneSmith Guitars About Us

History, About me ( I guess) Personal note

My name is Kevin Smith I have been doing guitar work for 20 years, and unintentionally longer. I grew up around guitars. I was born in 1961, in Fosston Minnesota. Farm country.

I was introduced to guitars as a kid, once in a while My mother and my Uncles would be jamming in the living room. and I would sit and watch. (hey I was only 5). but I was always around guitars. As I time went on I started plinking but it wasn't until my uncle said here this is a Bass, do this and I felt like I was able to play. (in my mind). years Later my Uncle left a bass A Norma, ooh! (lol) but he pulled all the frets out, I played it anyway and didn't think much about it. So thru the high school I played it Till I bought my first Real Bass. A Rickenbacker 4001 I saved to get that and I still have it..

After high school I attended School in Red Wing MN. For Electronic Musical Instrument Repair. and While There I would drop by the String instrument Class. (Umm just visiting.). and I brought my 4001 into the class and got it re fretted I actually learned something. So As time went on I got into repairing and finishing.

So while on the Road (Roadie) Gopher ect. with a Midwest bar band in 1984 (Ok .Big hair.. so kill me.) I was doing Refinishing is the hotel rooms. (not recommended) and other mods to guitars.. (no never put a Kahler on a 59 strat).

After leaving the band and as time went on I had more and more people coming to me with their guitars. I called my business GLF which stood for Guitar and Light Fabrication. I was doing Many Restorations for People and Stores, of course you could find old guitars cheap and restore them. But I felt These guitars were cool and all, but still they seemed Narrow in their Range of tone. That's why you had a Strat for one song, LesPaul for another and a Rickenbacker for anotherI . I felt there was room for improvement

. I started My own line of guitars in 1991 and I called them Tonesmith by GLF guitars.

Iin 1997 I changed the name of the business to ToneSmith, since it would be a way to include my name. (what the heck). I decided to go with the Semi Hollow body style and a softer wood on the back and harder on the top. the First Body styles were the traditional 412 Strat and 510 Tele Styles. The First original Shape was a 316, and last was the 320. And I thank my Nephew Mike Cruser for encouraging me to go for it.

Thank you Mike

The Wood I use has stories behind it as well. I have Cherry that was cut and hung in a garage for 50 years. I have Brazilian Rosewood that was cut in world war II and came to the US as a crate. I have Black Walnut From my Friends Family farm in Iowa. and also I have lumber from my Brother in-law's Saw mill in Two Harbors MN. Mikes Dad

The Reason I write this is so you may know a little about me behind the instrument I build.

thanks Kevin.

MAKING TOOLS

I build guitars to be used. These instruments are tools to be played in your work or pleasure. I do not intend to make guitars that just hang on the wall and be art objects. I strive to make them fit the end user as best as possible. A played guitar is a happy guitar... This is my objective.

-Kevin Smith

FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Every piece of wood is different in Tone and Beauty. I appreciate the wood for its uniqueness and definition. I see it as Unique to character and personality. The wood defines the instrument as original, like a finger print. How many guitars can be identified if it had no serial number on it? Starting with the tree, I personally Cut, Haul, Mill, Dry, and Process 90% of the wood (except for Exotic woods) needed to build the unique personality of every ToneSmith guitar.

TRADITION

Founded on the principle of handcrafted quality and vintage tradition, a ToneSmith guitar can be designed to the buyer's specifications. My 20 years of experience in building allows me to utilize only the finest materials for your guitar. Your ToneSmith is a quality instrument that exceeds traditional standards.

PERSONALITY

A ToneSmith guitar is designed to be as versatile as our players themselves. That's why we offer a variety of colors, woods, finishes, and detail options. Every player has a unique personality and so does every ToneSmith guitar.

SOUND DESIGN

One look tells you that ToneSmith guitars are beautiful, but ToneSmith craftsmanship goes far beyond aesthetics. ToneSmith guitars are designed with sound and tone quality in mind. We will help you choose the body style, wood selection and pick-up configuration you desire.

SATISFACTION

Your ToneSmith guitar comes with a lifetime warranty. We're serious about customer satisfaction and we stand behind every guitar we make. At ToneSmith, we're not satisfied until you're satisfied.

LIMITED EDITION

Handcrafting guitars one at a time naturally limits the number of ToneSmith's we can make each year. Call today to reserve your personalized ToneSmith guitar. You can find information how to reach us on the Contact Us page.

also see custom banjos at
www.nechville.com