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NBD - Klein K-bass / KB 003

#21
brianrost said:
Nice to see detailed close ups, never seen any before. It looks like Klein made the body and neck plate while the neck, pickups and bridge are the same as the Steinberger XM basses. Is the preamp a HAZ or something else?
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It's N-V B-V T/B stack and as you can see in my pic of the control cavity - it does have a small circuit-board but nothing like this pic of a HAZ pre -

1764568938468.webp
 
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#25
spufman said:
Intriguing write-up from Jim Roberts' "American Basses"
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Damn! I have that book and didn't think to look it up there! Thanks so much for waking me up! So I still don't know when mine was made as it has "early EMG pu's" but with a Steinberger NJ carbon neck. Also now know it was made in at least 3 finishes. Maybe it ended up where I bought it (NorCal) because of the Discovery Bay CA shop. Lot's more to discover!
 
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#26
KLEIN ELECTRIC GUITARS logo

KLEIN ELECTRIC GUITARS​

In 1988, Steve Klein finished designing a smaller, electric guitar that featured a more ergonomic body style. This model debuted at the 1989 NAMM show, and the Klein Electric Division was later started that same year. In order to concentrate on his acoustic guitar production, Steve Klein sold his Electric Division to Lorenzo German in 1995, and the Electric Division operated out of the original Klein Sonoma facilities through 1997. In 1998, production moved to Discovery Bay, California. Lorenzo German continued to work and promote the high quality electric models. In 2000, the address changed once again to Linden, California, but production halted in circa 2007. In 2010, Ed Roman Guitars reportedly purchased the remaining stock of Klein Electric Guitars, but it is unknown if any were completed or sold. Notable guitarists using the Klein electric include David Torn, Bill Frisell, Mick Goodrick, Lou Reed, Henry Kaiser, and Ken Hatfield.
Instruments previously produced in Linden, CA between 2000 and 2007. Previously produced in Discovery Bay, CA from 1998-2000 and in Sonoma, CA from 1976-1997.
 
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#28
Awesome score. Congrats! Certainly something one does not see everyday.

JIO said:
KLEIN ELECTRIC GUITARS logo

KLEIN ELECTRIC GUITARS​

In 1988, Steve Klein finished designing a smaller, electric guitar that featured a more ergonomic body style. This model debuted at the 1989 NAMM show, and the Klein Electric Division was later started that same year. In order to concentrate on his acoustic guitar production, Steve Klein sold his Electric Division to Lorenzo German in 1995, and the Electric Division operated out of the original Klein Sonoma facilities through 1997. In 1998, production moved to Discovery Bay, California. Lorenzo German continued to work and promote the high quality electric models. In 2000, the address changed once again to Linden, California, but production halted in circa 2007. In 2010, Ed Roman Guitars reportedly purchased the remaining stock of Klein Electric Guitars, but it is unknown if any were completed or sold. Notable guitarists using the Klein electric include David Torn, Bill Frisell, Mick Goodrick, Lou Reed, Henry Kaiser, and Ken Hatfield.
Instruments previously produced in Linden, CA between 2000 and 2007. Previously produced in Discovery Bay, CA from 1998-2000 and in Sonoma, CA from 1976-1997.
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Michael Hedges should be on that list as well. I remember him playing his harp (open tuned bass strings) guitar version.

michael-guitar-player-cover.jpg
 
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#29
Dynacord said:
Awesome score. Congrats! Certainly something one does not see everyday.



Michael Hedges should be on that list as well. I remember him playing his harp (open tuned bass strings) guitar version.

View attachment 7380291
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That harp guitar is such a cool instrument!
 
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#31
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#34
brianrost said:
Nice to see detailed close ups, never seen any before. It looks like Klein made the body and neck plate while the neck, pickups and bridge are the same as the Steinberger XM basses. Is the preamp a HAZ or something else?
Click to expand...
I'd bet actual dollars that's an EMG preamp. I have a BTC from the same era (before the solderless connectors) that is nearly identical. It's a very clean EQ that does it's job and nothing more.

1764722859684.jpeg
 
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#35
lowfreqgeek said:
I'd bet actual dollars that's an EMG preamp. I have a BTC from the same era (before the solderless connectors) that is nearly identical. It's a very clean EQ that does it's job and nothing more.

View attachment 7380714
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Yes, that's how I would describe it.
 
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#36
I found a Klein Facebook* page and sent an email posted there w/pics of my bass. Searching that site there was a pic of a K-bass just like mine #002 from 1992. So now I know when it was made. I requested more info (how many were made, what it costed new then etc) so I'm starting to learn more. Like, that finish was referred to as " Rusty Copper Zolatone" :)

*I was on fb at one time but dropped off for the last number of years. I'm back on only for this reason -
 
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#37
Kudos! Nice score! So my take on these is that they can be played standing but are really at home when played seated? Of course, I’ve never tried one and the closest I’ve ever come to one was seeing a guitarist play one at a jazz brunch.
 
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#38
MultiScaleMale said:
Kudos! Nice score! So my take on these is that they can be played standing but are really at home when played seated? Of course, I’ve never tried one and the closest I’ve ever come to one was seeing a guitarist play one at a jazz brunch.
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It's equally at home both standing and seated.

Not sure if there was a connection with Ovation, but their "Breadwinner" guitar (this one from '74) was at least an inspiration for Steve Klein. As far as I know - only guitars were made.

1764728866768.jpeg
 
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#40
brianrost said:
The first Ovation Magnums had similarities to the Breadwinner body design.

View attachment 7380778
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Yes, always liked those basses & they sound good but I've heard they are heavy and neck-diving. Ovation was doing some cool designs back then - the easy-shift-lever bass-mute on that bass was a good design.
 
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