Boutique electric bass luthier shares musical origin story, building world class instruments, and growing his business
Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
December 2, 2024
Devon Smullen is an electric bass luthier based in San Antonio, Texas, who has been building instruments since 1990. He caught the “luthier bug” after taking an independent study course to teach himself how to build guitars during his senior year at Carnegie Mellon University and has never looked back. After officially opening his shop in 1993, Devon has consistently been making two to three instruments per month, which are renowned for their handmade quality.
Watch our interview with Devon!
Rob Elrick has been using zero frets since at least 2003 (make date of my first of three Elrick basses.) Marleaux basses (started in 1990) use zero frets. Mr Smullen needs to do his home work.