TK Smith Design

I came across this article in the L.A. Times a few weeks ago.  This scene was taking place in the area of Southern, CA where I grew up. Unfortunately I was born just as all of this musical greatness had come to a screeching halt. The musicians and guitar pickers that were playing at this time are still influencing  my playing today. I also like Rose Lee Maphis’s quote ”I’m glad we were part of the business at that time, because back then, the business belonged to the entertainers” Enjoy…

TK played around with various shapes of Cutting Boards a while ago. After selling out of the initial run and using them ourselves, he has decided to stick with one simple shape in three sizes. Each board, made of Walnut, is individually Handcrafted by TK. Not only are they practical and easy on your knives, but they look amazingly beautiful stacked up in the kitchen!  We like to think of the small cutting board as a “cocktail” board, perfect for cutting citrus for your favorite drink, the medium, great as a bread board and the large, for the bigger jobs in the kitchen.

We recently gave one as a wedding gift and the recipient said she didn’t want to use it “because it would get scratched up!” We explained that that’s the beauty of it. These boards will last a lifetime and look even better with visable use. Like everyone should, she needs to “feed” the board with food grade mineral oil or a commercial paste once in a while to keep the wood in the best condition, and of course hand wash with soapy water, never in the dishwasher.

TK’s cutting boards will be available for sale soon on this site, as well in various retail outlets. Feel free to contact us for info. Also, while relaxing over the long holiday weekend, check out our House Tour over at Alice in Designland. Thanks Dia!

Since I wrote about The Stratosphere Twin Guitar, I’ve been getting numerous emails regarding the tuning Jimmy Bryant used on Stratosphere Boogie. So here it is along with string gauges and the note in relation to the standard six string tuning. I use flat wound strings so you might have to go a little heavier if your going to use round wounds but this should get you in the ballpark.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Go Crazy!

Back from England and finishing up a fabrication job lasting a few more weeks.

This band is heading to England to play the 15th annual Rockabilly Rave. I was fortunate enough to play guitar with Big Sandy and The Fly Rite Trio for five years from the late 80′s to early 90′s. The band consisted of Robert Williams, aka “Big Sandy”, Wally Hersom on bass, Bobby Trimble on drums and myself. In a short period, we played full time in clubs up and down the West Coast and throughout Europe. We recorded two albums, “Fly Rite with …Big Sandy and the Fly-Rite Trio” which includes this song, and a second album, “on the GO“.  In looking for photos of the band for the current Rave promotional Flyer, I came across these pictures taken over twenty years ago.

Since I rarely play live anymore, I have to ease up with the work in my shop to give my hands a rest in order to get in shape for the Rave. I have always played on a daily basis, still love to record and teach whenever I can.

Robert successfully carried on after this band with Big Sandy and his fly-rite boys, Wally has an amazing recording studio in Pasadena and plays in various bands around L.A., and Bobby, one of my favorite drummers, lives in Austin. Seems like every time I hear a recording come out of Austin that I like, Bobby’s usually playing drums on it.

We’ve been working on a new office at 7487. I am always bugging TK to use his Diacro #3 Metal Bender, so he came up with a new prototype chair. The base is chemically blackened steel, the seat and back, walnut. TK is going to play around with various finishes including a nickel plated base and other types of wood. Our good camera has been in the repair shop for 2 months so we had to resort to taking photos with the iphone! Will post photos of the new office soon.

TK fabricated this kitchen for Andrea Zittel in her Los Angeles home.

This Kitchen and Bath renovation in Joshua Tree is in a home that sits in one of the most beautiful spots in the area. The client gutted the house and started from scratch. In the kitchen, we were able to use some of the vintage etch wood out of my grandfathers house.

I love this material and was happy the client wanted to use it. We still have limited quantities of the original etch wood and will continue to use it on various projects until we run out.

It’s great to be able to recycle a material that has held up so nicely.

The cabinet faces in the master bath are oak veneer that has been painted, and the grain filled with a contrasting cream color.  I built a vanity for double sinks and a storage wall directly across from it using the same finish.  Will post more photos soon.

For the last few years I’ve been waiting for the right model B engine for my roadster pickup to come along. The few I’ve gotten close to have either been beyond my budget or I’ve been way to late. So last week this one came my way and I bought it! It was taken out of a ’29 model ‘A’ pickup that was being put back to stock specifications back in 1981 and has been in storage ever since.  The Model ‘B’ engine was an improved version of the model ‘A’.  It’s stronger and more powerful, so it was sought after by racers and hot rodders.  It first came out in 1932 and they’re getting harder to find.  It came with a ’32 gearbox that will be an improvement over my model ‘A’ gearbox.

Also last month, I finally had a chance to make a 3-piece hood for my roadster. It’s made of 18 gauge steel.  I formed the top over a piece of 4’’ pipe that was fastened to a sawhorse. I modified a pair of vice grips to form the bead along the back of the hood. A friend in Riverside punched the louvers for me.

I should also say RIP to the great George Shearing whom we lost last month. I listen to his early trio and quintet on an almost daily basis.

When we originally talked about our Lifetime Doormat, we shared a version that was made for a double door. This time, the client wanted a doormat custom made to fit in a recessed area to create a seamless entry. The patio is made of  bricks, but this application could be used with any surrounding material. Sand and debris will fall below the mat and it can be removed for periodic cleaning underneath. They will never purchase a doormat again!