My Klira

[Stefan B]

I'm a little curios concerning a Klira Bass I'm owning. My father bought it 35 years ago and became the 3rd og 4th owner of the bass. He bought it for 35DKK, or about 6-7$. It's a really weird bass, as it's shorter as fx my P-bass. It has also got a very slim neck and a tiny body. The weirdest of it all is it's only got one pickup placed as a neck-pickup. I hope someone here knows a bit more about it than I do and can tell me a little about it.
As you can see, the volume knob is not original.

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About the pictures. I don't have two guitarstands of the same type/model. So the Klira is standing a little higher, which make it look a little bigger.

 

[Thornton Davis]

Your Klira is a Model 661 "Texas". This version of the "Texas" was only in production for one year, 1965.

All Klira basses made during the 60's were short scale (30") instruments. That's why it's smaller than your P-bass, which is long scale (34").

From the photos, your bass appears to be completely original.

Enjoy.

TD

 

[godofthunder59]

That bass is so cool I have two Klira 365 violin basses but I always enjoy seeing other Kliras.

 

[dangnewt]

Cool bass, your dad did well for $6-7 even allowing for inflation!

I love the markings on the tone knob. Does it work like a regular tone knob or are there three presets at the B, T+B, and T markings?

 

[Thornton Davis]

I love the markings on the tone knob. Does it work like a regular tone knob or are there three presets at the B, T+B, and T markings?

They're presets. Most Klira's made during the early-mid 60's came with factory preset tone controls.

TD

 

[Stefan B]

Thank you very much for your quick responses.
I had no idea, it was such a "rarety".
I'm playing it with (vintage) flatwound strings, however I'm not sure if it's the right thing. It sounds great for stuff like Beatles and Shadows, but I don't know if there would be a notable difference if I replaced the strings with some roundwounds.
Nice to hear from some Klira owners. I don't really know much about Klira except of course their basses sounds good.
Is it right to presume that the 661 were one of their cheaper models back in 1965, since it only has one pickup? Not that I intend to sell it - no ways... Just curious.

 

[Thornton Davis]

The 661 and its dual pickup version the 662 were both entry level short scale basses designed for beginners. Many Klira models were copies of Hofner and Framus models. Which is understandable when all three factories were located only blocks away from each other in the small village of Bubenreuth.

As for flat or round wounds on your bass. If you're looking for that fat vintage early 60's tone, go with flats. If you want a bit more edge and tone definition go for roundwounds. Personally I use Hofner (Pyramid) roundwound stings on my Klira's. But S.I.T. have a short scale set of roundwound strings available at a very reasonable price and they fit perfectly.

Enjoy.

TD

 

[excane]

Very interesting....

 

[Thornton Davis]

Very interesting....

It is interesting especially when you add that Pyramid Strings were also located in Bubenreuth and still are today.

You had Hofner, Klira, Framus and Pyramid all located in the same small village. Most of the hardware and electrical components came from Schaller, who were located in the near by village of Feucht.

TD

 

[king koeller]

Here is what the tone control does....

T- treble cut
T+B- treble boost,Bass cut
T+B+ Treble Boost and Bass Boost
B- Bass cut
I have a 1965 Arkansas short scale, fire Engine red 2 pickup model.
this bass is meant to rock, the tone is unreal,
Remember with a short scale bass of 30"...
Do not put .105" regular fender 34" scale length strings, way too heavy!!.
Please use a light guage 95, 75 60 45
or even an actual Hofner Flat wound string, made in Germany.. in the following size...
G -.040
D - .055
A - .070
E - .095
This bass rocks!! but I use it for Jazz...