Ken Smith Hadrien Feraud Signature

Ken Smith has been building basses by hand in the USA since 1979. The tone is legendary : deep, articulate, almost vocal in the way it responds to touch. But getting your hands on a Smith has always been a test of patience. Indeed, the USA production is limited, wait times stretch into years, and European availability is close to nonexistent. In the meantime, you know the classics :

• BSR, BT
• Tiger Elite

That’s what makes the Hadrien Feraud signature so interesting.

The HF5

Built by Sleek Elite in Japan under Ken Smith’s direct licence, the HF5 was designed in collaboration with the French fusion bassist whose right hand should probably be insured. It carries the Smith DNA : the electronics, the voicing and the neck feel. 

The result is one of the most sought-after Japan-made basses in current production. It’s not a budget alternative to a USA Smith. It’s its own instrument ; one that rewards precision and responds to dynamics with almost unsettling honesty.

If you’ve been lurking on TalkBass threads trying to find one in Europe, you know the drill. They’re rare outside Japan. Dealers who stock them are even rarer : we’re one of them.

Why Buy from Us?

Sourcing a Ken Smith HF from Japan on your own means navigating customs paperwork, international shipping, and lead times that test your patience. We handle all of that. Every HF5 arrives in Belgium, gets inspected and photographed in our studio, and ships to you fully set up.

When we have them, they don’t last long. Browse what’s available below, or get in touch to reserve the next one.