I have used a Kohr K54 C for nine years as my main bass for jazz. It was (and still may be) marketed by Howard Core as Kohr's lowest price fully carved bass.
Bob Beerman (luthier) kept calling it a Strunal when he worked on it this week. [ But he kept correcting me when I said "Howard Core" and would say "
James Core" too. ??? ] Great guy. Bob, that is.
I was also told a while back that some Kohrs are from China, and other are Czech. Brent's old post below seems to agree.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brent Norton  Not all Kohr basses are relabelled Christophers... Core sources from a number of shops, including a some in Europe, relabelling those as well. I'm not sure who makes their Czech basses, but there's a possibility it's Strunal/Amati. |
So perhaps Bob was right about the Strunal thing. A wee bit confusing. Not that it matters all that much to me. The label says "Johannes Kohr ... Made in Czech Republic" in 1998.
Bob said it was a sturdy bass. For what I paid in 1999, he thinks I got a good deal. And since I had it appraised later for twice what I paid, I guess I've got a good appraisal too.
On the down side, it is rather heavy, and the sprayed on "varnish" is shiny enough to burn your retinas.
I've never had any serious issues with it. I had the original bridge and tailpiece wire replaced some time ago, and just recently had a new soundpost installed, a FB dressing, and had the nut shimmed and new strings slots cut. I think it sounds good and plays good, but admittedly have little to compare it with.
