Bass Southwest Reviews & Testimonials
Hear directly from bass players around the world who trust Bass Southwest as their boutique bass guitar shop for high-end and custom instruments.
For decades, we’ve helped players find exceptional basses that inspire — from rare vintage pieces to modern boutique builds. These reviews reflect our commitment to tone, craftsmanship, honest guidance, and personal service.
Whether you’re searching for your dream instrument or exploring what makes Bass Southwest different, we invite you to read what fellow musicians have to say.
Explore our boutique bass guitars, see Our Picks, or contact us if you’re ready to start your own Bass Southwest story.
Adam Wright
“Lou at Bass Southwest is excellent to deal with. As good as it gets when it comes to customer service, in my opinion.”
Xqusemuah
“I can tell you from personal experience that Lou and Bass Southwest are the best. I’ve done several transactions there and every one has been a great experience. Lou will make sure you’re taken care of. He’s actually a bass player himself, so he understands our needs. He has real depth in this business and knows a lot of pro players. A++.”
9am
“Lou really knows his stuff. I ordered a new Mike Lull bass from him and can’t wait to play it.”
Lawgiver
“I recently purchased an Epifani Piccolo head and UL3 112 cabinet from Lou at Bass Southwest and couldn’t be happier. I highly recommend him for your high-end gear purchases. Lou will treat you right.”
BassBaba (Baba Elefante)
“I have nothing but great things to say about Bass Southwest — mainly because Lou is one of the most upstanding, fair, and honest people in this business. Customer service is extremely important to me, and it doesn’t get any better than Bass Southwest. If there’s ever a problem, they’re prompt in getting back to you and solving it.”
Modulsan
“Lou is a great guy to deal with and talk to. Very nice.”
Kussman – Germany
“This was my first overseas purchase, and I couldn’t be happier. The whole transaction was perfect: great communication, fast delivery, excellent packaging, and of course a breathtaking bass. Lou really knows his stuff. I can strongly recommend this shop. Whenever I’m looking for something I can’t get in Europe, this will always be my number one address.”
Johnathc21 – Melbourne, Australia
“I purchased a $6,000 Ken Smith BSR6-EG bass from Lou at Bass Southwest, and I couldn’t speak more highly of him. The service and overall experience were impeccable. From Los Angeles to Melbourne, I had the bass in my hands within seven days, in mint condition. As an extremely fussy musician, I couldn’t be happier with the service Bass Southwest provided.”
Evan Marian
“I worked with Lou at Bass Southwest on a custom Ken Smith bass and was highly impressed with the results. Lou offered fantastic service and helped me get the right bass for my tastes. I would absolutely recommend working with Bass Southwest to get your dream bass.”
Dann Glen
“Lou’s Bass Southwest is one of the most trusted names in its field. Lou is extremely knowledgeable in the finer details of bass making, and that really helps players dial in what they’re looking for. There’s a reason both famous and not-so-famous players go to Lou — because Bass Southwest is the best.”
Ric Fierabracci
“Great selection and great service. Because of their knowledge, Lou and his team can get you the right bass and help you save a lot of time and money. Great guys to deal with.”
Roberto Vally
“Bass Southwest is a wonderful company with great personal knowledge of all the products they sell. Keep up the good work, Lou!”
Amanda Ruzza
“What’s so great about Bass Southwest is that Lou is as passionate about basses as we are. For him, it’s not about selling another instrument — it’s about connecting groundbreaking luthiers and boutique manufacturers with bass players. Lou sells only the best instruments, at the right price, and ships them so fast that the wait is hardly painful at all.”
Andrew Kallenberger
“Getting ready to come home from NAMM — such an unbelievable experience. A big thank you to Lou at Bass Southwest for everything. If you haven’t already checked them out, you need to. Lou is a great guy and will take great care of you. I can’t speak highly enough about Lou and Bass Southwest.”
Jordan Westfall
“New gear came in, and I have no more excuses about my sound. This amp is everything I’ve been looking for — the tone is immaculate. Many thanks to Bass Southwest for the killer service. Super friendly, shipped quickly, and arrived in just four days, even out here in the mountains. Can’t wait to do business with them again.”
Larry Neal Jenkins – Los Angeles, CA
“After receiving my MANNE Glenn Hughes SoulMover from Lou at Bass Southwest, I was almost at a loss for words. The build quality is amazing — from the fit and finish to the fretwork, electronics, and the incredible neck. The bass is lightweight, compact, ergonomic, and the tone is huge.
It delivers deep, powerful lows, perfectly balanced mids, and crisp modern highs. You can go from old-school Motown to thunderous dub to clean modern tones with ease. Andrea at MANNE is clearly a master craftsman, and Lou delivered outstanding service. Bass Southwest offers top-end products for serious players, with competitive pricing and expert knowledge. Absolutely worth checking out.”
Francesco Pirolo – Italy
“I’ve known Lou for quite some time, and when it came time to order my next bass — a Ken Smith BT6 — I knew I would go through Bass Southwest. The entire experience was delightful.
Lou’s close relationship with Ken Smith Basses made the ordering process simple, and his knowledge was superb. He kept me updated throughout the build, and I even received the bass sooner than expected. I highly recommend Bass Southwest to bass players worldwide.”
Paul Phillips
“I had a nightmare situation when my bass was damaged during shipping, but Lou at Bass Southwest went above and beyond to help me move past it. He stepped in, jumped through hoops, and helped me order a beautiful Ken Smith Black Tiger.
Lou’s passion, constant updates during the build, and heartfelt customer care were outstanding. I give Lou and Bass Southwest a standing ovation and a five-star rating. I’ll bring all my business here in the future — it doesn’t get any better.”
Frank Backes – Germany
“This has been one of the greatest bargains of my musical life. I purchased a ‘used’ Pedulla Pentabuzz that turned out to be absolutely mint and flawless — essentially new.
Shipping to Germany was no problem at all. The bass arrived professionally packed and perfectly protected. It looks, sounds, and plays like a dream — even better than expected. It was a great pleasure doing business with Lou at Bass Southwest.”
Fabio Businaro – Italy
“I had a great experience with Bass Southwest when I bought my first Ken Smith 6-string BT Elite. Lou was always supportive, providing all the details I needed to understand the bass and handling every part of the logistics, from packaging to invoicing.
This was an international shipment and everything went perfectly. I strongly recommend Bass Southwest for anyone looking for basses or amps — great selection and great service.”
Harry Evangelou – UK
“A massive thank you to Lou at Bass Southwest for my Ken Smith Cocobolo Elite 5. The bass is fantastic, and the service throughout the entire process, including shipping to the UK, was excellent.
Honest, friendly service and great communication — so much so that I’ve already ordered another Ken Smith Black Tiger Elite.”
Hadrien Feraud
“Lou is a great person, a personal friend, and extremely knowledgeable about basses and amplification. Highly recommended.”
Why Bass Players Choose Bass Southwest
- Curated selection: We focus on exceptional instruments — not mass inventory.
- Expert guidance: Decades of experience helping players match tone, feel, and style.
- Worldwide reach: Trusted by musicians across the globe.
- Personal service: Every player and every bass matters.
Our goal isn’t just to sell instruments — it’s to build long-term relationships with players who care deeply about their sound.
Looking for Your Next Bass?
If these stories resonate with you, we’d love to help you find the right instrument for your hands, your tone, and your music.
You can also browse our current bass inventory or check out Our Picks to see instruments we’re most excited about right now.