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NBD - Klein K-bass / KB 003

#41
The Breadwinner had an onboard preamp, too. Supposedly the first mass produced guitar with active electronics, I guess because Alembic are a custom shop. It was way ahead of it's time…after it was dropped from the line, the follow-up Ovation electrics (Preacher and Viper) were all passive.

While it had only one volume knob, there was an internal trimmer to balance the pickups to taste by offering boost and cut for the neck pickup. The tone control was a treble boost and cut, with a detent for flat response. The phase switch with another trimmer to fine tune how far out of phase it would be…that's bizarre. There is a switchable notch filter to reduce mids (why???). The pickup toggle is odd, too…neck, bridge and both out of phase (for that Strat "in between" sound) in that order. Maybe by adjusting the trimmer it's possible to get the pickups in phase (or at least close)? It took two 9V batteries for 18V power.

My college roommate had both a Viper and an Ovation flattop guitar. His whole family played both guitar and banjo and would have weekly picking sessions with James Rickard who was the engineering manager at Ovation. He would drop off prototypes for them to try out, so Tom got both of those guitars plus an Iida banjo (MIJ, imported by Ovation) as freebies. That Viper was a great guitar, build quality was top notch. It sounded like a Telecaster with really hot pickups.
 
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#43
brianrost said:
The Breadwinner had an onboard preamp, too. Supposedly the first mass produced guitar with active electronics, I guess because Alembic are a custom shop. It was way ahead of it's time…after it was dropped from the line, the follow-up Ovation electrics (Preacher and Viper) were all passive.

While it had only one volume knob, there was an internal trimmer to balance the pickups to taste by offering boost and cut for the neck pickup. The tone control was a treble boost and cut, with a detent for flat response. The phase switch with another trimmer to fine tune how far out of phase it would be…that's bizarre. There is a switchable notch filter to reduce mids (why???). The pickup toggle is odd, too…neck, bridge and both out of phase (for that Strat "in between" sound) in that order. Maybe by adjusting the trimmer it's possible to get the pickups in phase (or at least close)? It took two 9V batteries for 18V power.

My college roommate had both a Viper and an Ovation flattop guitar. His whole family played both guitar and banjo and would have weekly picking sessions with James Rickard who was the engineering manager at Ovation. He would drop off prototypes for them to try out, so Tom got both of those guitars plus an Iida banjo (MIJ, imported by Ovation) as freebies. That Viper was a great guitar, build quality was top notch. It sounded like a Telecaster with really hot pickups.
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Great hands-on info - thanks for that! Burns of London made the first 9v active guitar, the TR2 in 1963. Don't know how mass produced it was, but it was produced and sold then.

"progressive boys"... :D :bassist:

1764779863034.jpeg
 
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#44
ad9000 said:
I can't help you with any specific info on Klein basses, but I played one when they were exhibiting at the NAMM show - I want to say it was 1998 or 1999. It definitely made an impression on me as a great sounding instrument that was very comfortable to play. Congrats!
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Thanks - by that year, his electric division was already sold to Lorenzo German ('95) and he continued production until 2007.
 
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#46
JIO said:
Great hands-on info - thanks for that! Burns of London made the first 9v active guitar, the TR2 in 1963. Don't know how mass produced it was, but it was produced and sold then.

"progressive boys"... :D :bassist:

View attachment 7381051
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I really wonder who was first. Meazzi had the 9v active circuit on the Jupiter at least as early as 1964 as a standard feature. I saw one guy post on Facebook with a different model with it which he claimed was a 1959. I have no idea if that's correct (though Meazzis were dated). I'm going to ask in the Fetish Guitar group and see what people there say. Who knows, maybe something else altogether...
 
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#48
Dynacord said:
I really wonder who was first. Meazzi had the 9v active circuit on the Jupiter at least as early as 1964 as a standard feature. I saw one guy post on Facebook with a different model with it which he claimed was a 1959. I have no idea if that's correct (though Meazzis were dated). I'm going to ask in the Fetish Guitar group and see what people there say. Who knows, maybe something else altogether...
Click to expand...

Dang. Those guys on Fetish really know their stuff. From Stefano (admin of the FG site and page), "The first built-in active pre-amp" was Hofner in the mid 1950s!

 
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#53
I heard back from the man himself - nothing personal within so posting it here to pass on Klein guitars info.


Howdy Geo,
You found one of the first ones that were made… it's been long enough that I don't remember just how many were made. Safe to say only about 2 dozen.
There were a few 5 string versions… all but a couple had Steinberger necks. I do remember building Steve Miller a white one with a wood neck.) and the Mick Karn bass had a Moses neck.
That body was also used for a few guitars.
Not a great idea because the horn did not soot the low slung stance of many guitar players.

There would be a date stamped in the neck pocket on the body… If you find it please let me know… ?
You might learn more from my Archivist: Wilson Schunemann of Minuteman guitars in Concord Ma. (617) 460-9610… he too is a bass player. He knows more than I remember.

Yours
—SK—
 
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#54
JIO said:
I heard back from the man himself - nothing personal within so posting it here to pass on Klein guitars info.


Howdy Geo,
You found one of the first ones that were made… it's been long enough that I don't remember just how many were made. Safe to say only about 2 dozen.
There were a few 5 string versions… all but a couple had Steinberger necks. I do remember building Steve Miller a white one with a wood neck.) and the Mick Karn bass had a Moses neck.
That body was also used for a few guitars.
Not a great idea because the horn did not soot the low slung stance of many guitar players.

There would be a date stamped in the neck pocket on the body… If you find it please let me know… ?
You might learn more from my Archivist: Wilson Schunemann of Minuteman guitars in Concord Ma. (617) 460-9610… he too is a bass player. He knows more than I remember.

Yours
—SK—
Click to expand...

Now THAT is cool!! What a find and how cool to make the direct connection!! He has to be thrilled to know one of his instruments is being so well cared for and appreciated!!!!

.
 
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#55
joeLowB said:
Now THAT is cool!! What a find and how cool to make the direct connection!! He has to be thrilled to know one of his instruments is being so well cared for and appreciated!!!!

.
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Well, as it was a lifetime ago for him (early '90s) I imagine he honestly never considers it! His P.S. sorta addresses just that! :)

By the way, I feel the same way about fb and Instagram - somewhat necessary evils...

PS: I know that I'm on Facebook and Instagram but I never open them…
I already spent way too much time on my phone, just trying to communicate with customers and run my business.
Click to expand...
 
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#59
Everyone should check out this Klein Archives link Mr Klein sent me - Steve Klein Guitars - Klein Community He has a very extensive history as a guitar maker/visionary. And the list of players who have used his guitars/basses is deep. Many of the bass players listed play/played his acoustic bass - more than the K-bass. He's one of the pillars of guitar design innovation and a nice guy! That's the cool thing I've found about music industry people - you can reach out to them and they will kindly respond. Being a Factor owner I had phone correspondence with Phil Kubicki when he still was based in Santa Barbara - same deal, super nice guy who just happened to be a legendary luthier/electric bass innovator.
 
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