Schmitzbender™ guitar is owned and operated by Cameron Schmitz (creator of both the innovation and the Art of Superbending. Only possible on a Schmitzbender™ guitar). 

Innovation is, I believe, what is embedded into the core and essence of our nation. To be an American is to be in a land where your ideas are wanted, protected, allowed to thrive, as long as they meet some criteria. It is what our founding fathers wanted for us, all these generations later. It’s a true honor to be “here” – as I attempt to build and grow my ideas, my own innovation – in a place I am proud to call home.

Historical: In 2008, while in a guitar lesson, the idea was born. While transcribing a Jerry Douglas dobro solo, one part was nearly impossible to play on a standard guitar. Once the answer to how to play the lick was determined, much excitement ensued, as if a new world had opened before me. A prototype was built by using a Telecaster donor guitar. By replacing the basic fretboard with the innovation, that being an extended and fully-fretted fingerboard, Superbending began in earnest and the push to find players and build momentum began. A second prototype was created to extend the range of a future patent. In 2013 a patent was secured. The following year had hard meetings at the winter NAMM show in Anaheim, then a booth at summer NAMM in Nashville; all bringing the Schmitzbender into the public eye. A website and YouTube channel covered the social networking angle of building up a fanbase. Newfound momentum greets the innovation in this post-Covid era. The innovation: call it Schmitzbender 2.0, as well as the Art of Superbending, is on the front burner in 2025.

Latest News! After spending time at esteemed Nashville builder/repairman Joe Glaser’s shop (thanks to a connection I had miraculously made with the one and only Kenny Vaughan, lead guitarist of Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives!), Johnny Isaacs over at Nashville Used Music has picked up the Disruptor I model after showing interest during discussions with Kenny. After spending some quality face time in early spring, the next stop on the Nashville train ride was to George Gruhn. That stop was albeit brief, a chance to gain some invaluable feedback from the team there and now I am tasked to create a sparkling video that Kenny has challenged me with! The Tennessee trip was almost one year to the day and is now back home and ready for some video/music creation!

I spoke with Kenny and who promised me tickets when Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives would be close by on their tour. In January, 2025, I went to see them in Clearwater, FL See the newest page on the website for pics.

I am looking at the Fretboard Summit in Chicago in August for more exposure…

A video Kenny posted (as seen on this website) for me on his facebook page popped. As of this writing, there’s been 6.2k views! And counting!