BLACK SMOKER Trad Master Series Beta J5 (Dakota Red/Light Aged)

Our flagship brand, "BLACK SMOKER," and its Tradmaster series featuring lacquer and aged finishes.

BLACK SMOKER is a handmade brand from BLACK CLOUD, a workshop in Nagano Prefecture, a mecca for musical instrument manufacturing where many brands are located. This brand, which is already generating buzz among many professional musicians for its high sense of style and high quality in terms of sound, playability, and looks, is a noteworthy brand created by three people: Mr. Kuroiwa, the representative who has been involved in the design and manufacture of numerous manufacturers and models; Mr. Yanagisawa, a young builder who creates with him; and Mr. Itasaka, a builder who has honed his skills at a long-established Japanese brand.

The "Trad Master" series has already gained high praise and popularity. This 5-string model boasts a simple yet standard, classic specification that allows you to fully appreciate the brand's true value, and is finished with a lacquer coating and aged treatment for a vintage feel. It adopts the standard specifications based on the 60s JB, with an alder body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard. Although the specifications are simple, you will immediately know that the materials have been carefully selected from the first note you play. The neck shape is made slimmer for ease of playability without sacrificing the core of the sound, and the original pickups, whose power has been adjusted for this series, faithfully reproduce the resonance of the body while emitting a rich sound. The smooth setup allows for stress-free playing, and above all, this bass conveys the "quality of the instrument's construction" directly. While possessing a rich tone, it does not have an excessive peakiness, and it is a versatile instrument that can handle any genre or sound depending on the setting and playing style. The aged lacquer finish, which exudes exceptional taste, along with the aged parts specially modified for this series (similar to the pickups) and vintage-style bridge, contribute significantly not only to the looks but also to a thicker, more impactful sound.

In terms of appearance, the aged finish, achieved with minimal processing, and the deep "Dakota Red" combined with a tortoiseshell pickguard create a sophisticated look, reflecting the meticulous attention to detail that only a custom order can offer. While boasting a vintage-like appearance, the playability and sound pressure are undeniably impressive, reflecting the brand's pride in its craftsmanship. This is a truly wonderful bass that I wholeheartedly recommend, as it realizes the ideal of "what if a vintage low B5 string existed" at an extremely high level.

Due to its limited production run as a handmade instrument, this highly-regarded brand has very limited availability. With playability and sound recognized by professionals, this bass is already making a name for itself in the music scene. Experience its exceptional quality for yourself.

Body Wood: Alder
Neck Wood: Maple
Fingerboard Wood: Indian Rosewood
Neck Shape: C Shape
Scale: 864mm / 20F
Nut/Width: Bone / 48mm
Frets: Medium Jumbo NS
Radius: 305R
HW Color: Chrome & Nickel
Machineheads: GOTOH GB528
Bridge: GOTOH 205B-5-BC
Pickups: BLACK SMORKER
Electronics: Vol×2, Tone with Push/Pull SW (Series/Parallel)
Neck Finish: Lacquer
Body Finish: Lacquer

Gig bag included