1966 Klira Twen Star 356 bass may need repair

[DaveArtista]

I write here asking for advice. This Klira is my very first bass. I had bought it in the very late 70s. It has always been in good condition especially after i had started to purchase other basses later on in life. I stored this one away but it was always my first love. In 2006 I had taken it into a shop for a check up ,new strings etc. When i picked it up a week later the tech had said that it was in great condition, very solid, neck in great shape. When i got it home it was in fact sounding great,,good strings, no probs'. Fun as always to play. Now i find these days, 2010, that from the 12th fret and up it buzzes. Also the notes have sharpened in these upper registered frets up to the 19th. More so for the E and A strings than the D and G. I ask what this may be and what would be the cause. To note, i know this is a no no but most of the time i would keep the bass propped on its guitar stand in the living room. I will take it in for servicing ,,just want to see what all thinks here.. Thanks

[godofthunder59]

A Klira was my first bass bought around '72 I still have it and am so happy I do ! First basses need at least seasonal adjustment to the truss rod and bridge. If you are fretting out past the upper register you may need to just raise the bridge a bit. I am wondering if the last time the bass was serviced if a shim was put under the neck, sometimes a good thing sometimes not, this may have increased your neck angle to the point of where your strings are fretting out past the 12th fret. Another though that I had is that if the truss rod has been tightend to much the fret board could have popped on the upper register, check for hairline seperation along the fretboard neck seam. I think with a new set up your bass should be just fine, hope this helps and good luck. Here are my two Kliras the one on the left my first, foolishly "improved" with Gibson pickups when I was a kid

[DaveArtista]

I will look for any hairline cracks that may be there,,i hope there isn't . Again thanks for the great response and advice. I'm sure you love your Kliras as i do mine. So fun to play. Mine looks just like yours on the left of course ,,except mine has the original pickups. (not rubbing it in,,lol)

[godofthunder59]

Originally Posted by DaveArtista

I will look for any hairline cracks that may be there,,i hope there isn't . Again thanks for the great response and advice. I'm sure you love your Kliras as i do mine. So fun to play. Mine looks just like yours on the left of course ,,except mine has the original pickups. (not rubbing it in,,lol)

Dave, Your not rubbing it in lol Kliras are excellent bases certainley Hofners equal, if not better. I bought the bass on the right a few years ago, I got it very cheap. The original idea was to take the pickups from that bass and install them on my original bass. Once I got the bass I decided it was in to nice a condition to part out so I plan on leaving my original one as is as a monument to my youthful foolishness and I have to stock one best of both world you might say. Let us know how things turn out !

[DaveArtista]

I may start searching for that model on the right as well. Can you set me on the right path ? How does it sound in comparison to the 356, i guess i should ask what model it is first. And i will definitely keep you informed as to the status of my Twen. Later i will take pics and post them too. Great to know you Scott

[godofthunder59]

I believe the one on the right is older than the one with the cats eye sound holes on the left TD or Thorton Davis (PM him I bet he would be happy to talk Klira) is the real expert hear on these beasties I expect he will chime in soon. Till then here are some other threads on TB about these great basses. The history of KLIRA, Basses, Made in Germany