The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: godofthunder on December 26, 2015, 11:10:22 AM
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What a pleasant surprise! Jon Maye sent this NOS Klira bass body to me out of the blue. The story goes that in the 90s Hamer used it as a pattern or their short run of violin basses. Jon also emailed me a picture of the body and a completed Hamer bass together, I'll post that as soon as I can. I am leaning towards building the bass.................Anyone got a Klira neck or a basket case donor lying around? I may have to resort to non Klira parts. If anyone has something they think would help with the project let me know. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/klira%20body%20Univox%20amp%20004_zpsgfxluxsw.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/klira%20body%20Univox%20amp%20003_zpsgt5onwg3.jpg)
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Nice figure on the back.
We've discussed the Hamer solidbody violin basses before, IIRC Jon knew the production figures.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v330/Steeltoe/P2213404.jpg?t=1267572033)
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I think it was 10
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Hey Scott, I've bought touch necks from luiterman7 on eBay a couple times and they are nice and he probably has one that would work for you. Check him out.
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Bill, I tried searching him I can't find him :-\
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Bill, I tried searching him I can't find him :-\
Duh, I mistyped it. Try luthierman7
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luthierman7 (http://www.ebay.com/sch/luthierman7/m.html?_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1)
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He made me a neck for a damaged EB3 of mine, very good. Seemed like a nice guy too - I am no ace when it comes to woodworking, but he gave me enough tips to complete fretboard glueing and body/neck joining without issues. Oh, got some help here too :)
Good prices and fast shipping.
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I think I have a staple style pup and a couple Hofner rings. If you could use them let me know. You can have them.,
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It's been eons since I've touched one but I don't recall there being too dang much difference between a Klira and a Hofner. My buddy had one and I owned a Hofner. His had a control plate that was metal? I thought there were bolt on necks to them as well. That's a nice looking body too.
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It's been eons since I've touched one but I don't recall there being too dang much difference between a Klira and a Hofner. My buddy had one and I owned a Hofner. His had a control plate that was metal? I thought there were bolt on necks to them as well. That's a nice looking body too.
The only two Kliras I've seen in person were set neck but I've seen a photo of a bolt-on.
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I've seen Klira violin basses with pickups that look visually similar to what Vox were using in the '60s, or what they used in the Dearmond Jet Star reissues.
There is quite a distance between those pickups, given that they are jammed up against the bridge and fretboard, respectively.
(https://41.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m19qshl8IC1qehdnso1_500.jpg)
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That is a early one with the single coil Shaller's, all mine have the later humbucking looking chrome ones.
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Neat project! ...and really cool from a curio factor too, if that body was used as a template for those Hamers 8)
What are you planning for the finish?
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I would like to do it in the Klira yellow to brown burst, I may send it out to get the results I want, Maybe Carlo is interested? I want to turn it into something nice not my usual hack job. I am to close to this thing already, I may just gather parts and have otherrs finish it up.
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Ben Bruton or Bernie Lehman, both do acoustic building and repair.
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Had a bad experience with Bernie, totally messed up my Hofners neck reset.
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Had a bad experience with Bernie, totally messed up my Hofners neck reset.
Ouch, I'm surprised. It happens.
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... I may just gather parts and have others finish it up...
My Idol has feet of clay... :o ;D
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Had a bad experience with Bernie, totally messed up my Hofners neck reset.
I do remember you telling me about it before. Messed up the finish as I recall. I do remember him telling me once he hates finishing. Maybe he should farm it out!
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I do remember you telling me about it before. Messed up the finish as I recall. I do remember him telling me once he hates finishing. Maybe he should farm it out!
Scott posted about it here. IIRC it was a bad neck reset job.
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Think I found a donor on ebay!
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Crap all ready way to much!
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Isn't that the way it goes? Remember when you couldn't give away a 60's NR? :P
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Two of my really nice ones I only paid $200 and $250 for not that long ago. This thing is already up to $205 :o
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Here's a new listing currently at $20:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1960s-Klira-Beatle-Bass-Guitar-Made-In-Germany-/331749861810?hash=item4d3dd529b2:g:u80AAOSwoydWkEGc
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Thanks I'll watch that, almost to nice to gut for a neck.
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What a pleasant surprise! Jon Maye sent this NOS Klira bass body to me out of the blue. The story goes that in the 90s Hamer used it as a pattern or their short run of violin basses. Jon also emailed me a picture of the body and a completed Hamer bass together, I'll post that as soon as I can. I am leaning towards building the bass.................Anyone got a Klira neck or a basket case donor lying around? I may have to resort to non Klira parts. If anyone has something they think would help with the project let me know. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/klira%20body%20Univox%20amp%20004_zpsgfxluxsw.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/klira%20body%20Univox%20amp%20003_zpsgt5onwg3.jpg)
Scott.......
Gee, from the photos, maybe I should have sent you my old H.O. slot cars instead of the Klira 😀
If you still have the box I sent it in, peel off the shipping label and you will see where I got it from....the address is very close to the CT Hamer factory where it had sat for years.
While Hamer chose to make their run of Violin Basses as solid body versions, they copped the exact outside dimensions from that Klira, as you could see in the pics I sent.
I just figured the Klira had a better home with you. I would have been too tempted to assemble it into something sacreligious to Klira fans.
Plus, being a fellow bass player with Rochester roots, you are on my "good guy" list.
Funny too. Shortly after sending you the Klira, my old bandmate-in-crime from my early Rochester Prog Rock days tracked me down through Facebook and asked we get together this year to tecord again. In recent years, he's been crazy enough to actually have gone to the Mideast to play and film on the war-torn streets for "art's sake."
So, that got me wondering and I also looked up a drummer we had worked with back then, who left to study jazz at Berkley Music College. I laughed out loud when I found his Facebook page...and his banner shot is of him PLAYING MY CONGA DRUM HE STOLE WHEN HE LEFT FOR BERKLEY !!!!
Too funny. The Internet loves to throw you something from left field when you least expect it.