The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Other Bass Brands => Topic started by: godofthunder on July 14, 2015, 02:46:04 PM

Title: NBD Klira 162
Post by: godofthunder on July 14, 2015, 02:46:04 PM
      I couldn't resist it, this makes number 4. According to TD she is a transition model, the set neck with the humbuckers is rather rare, plus the Hofner like headstock and two piece back made this bass irresistible. I paid much less than what is shown, the seller was very gracious and called me to tell me the action was a bit high as the neck pickup can not go lower. I ended up paying $400, I'm a pretty happy camper. ;D http://www.ebay.com/itm/111714591472?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: Dave W on July 14, 2015, 08:21:29 PM
If you can adjust the action to your liking, $400 is a really good deal.
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: godofthunder on September 04, 2015, 07:09:22 AM
 The bridge pickup surround was toast bought some very nice repros from Frets On The Net, they just arrived yesterday. Pics soon!
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: ilan on September 04, 2015, 10:04:26 AM
the action was a bit high as the neck pickup can not go lower
It will probably need a neck reset like every other old set-neck Höfner. I had it done on both of mine ('64 Senator and '60 500/3) when the action was mile high, and both play lovely low. Just make sure you take it to a violin maker who knows dovetail joints and hide glue, not a guitar luthier.

Congrats on another cool bass.
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: chromium on September 04, 2015, 11:31:22 AM
I didn't see this back in July.. nice score!  It looks beautiful.

Can't beat that kinda price, given what 500/1s are fetching nowadays.
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: Dave W on September 04, 2015, 07:41:47 PM
Good to hear that Frets On The Net is still around.
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: godofthunder on September 06, 2015, 07:33:17 AM
  Crap trying to post pics from my phone the files are to big. guess I'll have to break out the camera and do the photo bucket thing.
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: godofthunder on September 10, 2015, 07:44:48 AM
Pictures as promised! I really love these basses! Check out the repro bridge pickup ring from Frets on the Net!(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/Klira%20162%20002_zpsov4aoixj.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/Klira%20162%20003_zpsryqlwxyg.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/Klira%20162%20004_zpsbg2wmhru.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/Klira%20162%20005_zpsrwpfix1b.jpg)
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: godofthunder on September 10, 2015, 07:45:39 AM
 A few more! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/Klira%20162%20006_zpsldojtolc.jpg)(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/Klira%20162%20008_zpsqopjkleo.jpg)
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: godofthunder on September 10, 2015, 07:50:59 AM
  The "Klira" on the headstock was hand painted on it long ago, I may remove it or just leave it, haven't decided yet. The sunburst has red in it something I have not seen in Kliras they usually go from yellow to brown. The neck heel is very Hofner like thought it does have a rather large wood screw holding things together. I am not sure if the joint is glued or not. The G string frets out on the pickup on the extreme upper register, the pickup is as low as it can go so either I have to change the neck angle or raise the bridge. At the moment I'm not to bothered by it.
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: Pilgrim on September 10, 2015, 07:54:09 AM
Maybe the red means it wasn't exposed to much sunlight?  My old Univox has a lot of red in the burst, and I know it was a closet queen.

Looks really nice, and super condition for an instrument of its age.
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: godofthunder on September 10, 2015, 08:00:16 AM
  That is true reds fade with exposure to sunlight. But my first Klira bought in 71-72 is yellow-brown as are two others I own and most of the ones I see locally or online. So I don't think my others have faded just that Klira at one point dabbled with red in it's sunburst. I bet TD will have more info.
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: drbassman on September 10, 2015, 11:09:37 AM
I crown thee King of the Kliras, with all of the rights and responsibilities that go with that honor.  That is one beautiful bass and worth so much more than they go for.  Congrats.
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: Highlander on September 10, 2015, 12:10:31 PM
All Hail King Klira of Thunder-God... ;)
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: Thornton Davis on September 10, 2015, 01:54:01 PM
You're right about the "Klira" logo on the headstock Scott, it's been added onto the bass by a previous owner. The logo should be like this.

(http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr347/Thornton_Davis/One_Bar_with_small_logo_zps7ewiq8jr.jpg) (http://s498.photobucket.com/user/Thornton_Davis/media/One_Bar_with_small_logo_zps7ewiq8jr.jpg.html)

You're also correct about Klira finishes, they tend to be brownish yellow and lack much if any red. You'll find the neck on your bass is permanently glued. The purpose of the single bolt is to support the neck/body joint. The Twen Star 356 has 4 bolts and a steel neck plate which eliminates the need for glue in that model.

If you decide to remove the painted Klira logo on the headstock of your bass, I have a NOS Klira truss rod cover with the Klira logo on it available.

TD
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: gearHed289 on September 11, 2015, 07:24:12 AM
That's a great looking Beatle bass! I had a Jay Turser for a while and it was a lot of fun.

(https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10153875_10202718653105969_6076223130865926850_n.jpg?oh=dc4c316666e008d8afe0745ac4067c80&oe=566DF560)
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: Droombolus on September 12, 2015, 10:54:56 AM
Nice T !
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: godofthunder on September 12, 2015, 03:27:59 PM
    Cool bass! Rocking it!
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: mc2NY on September 17, 2015, 11:49:40 PM
Cool Klira Violin Bass, Scott !!

I actually have an old NOS Klira Violin Bass body that I got from a former Hamer/Ovation employee.
He said they had usd it for reference when they did their small run of Hamer Violin Basses!!


Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: Dave W on September 18, 2015, 06:57:41 PM
Cool Klira Violin Bass, Scott !!

I actually have an old NOS Klira Violin Bass body that I got from a former Hamer/Ovation employee.
He said they had usd it for reference when they did their small run of Hamer Violin Basses!!

Weren't those Hamers solid bodies? Or am I thinking of some other company?
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: mc2NY on September 20, 2015, 08:14:43 AM
Yeah, the Hamers are solid bodies. They used the violin body for the size, outer curves and top carve contours. Interesting that they did that to get they close to a real one. The binding is nice, rather large in areas....has yellowed over the last 25 years and actually accents the gold nicely now.

Maybe these were also Hamer's nod to the Gibson EB1 ?

I think they only made like a dozen or so of these. I inow Mike Anthony has one, Kip Winger had one the color of mine and I have seen Jack Blades playing a sunburst one. I had heard Hamer made McCartney a lefty one but he found the boomerangs "confusing."



Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: godofthunder on September 21, 2015, 05:38:01 AM
 I remember the Hamer adds in Guitar Player or was it Bass Player Magazine with the Violin bass pictured, never saw one up close! Wanna sell the Klira body ?
Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: mc2NY on September 24, 2015, 06:10:59 PM

Not sure if I want to get rid of it. if I do, I'll let you know first Scott, since you
are into these.


Title: Re: NBD Klira 162
Post by: patman on September 27, 2015, 02:34:08 PM
There is one at elderly with no headstock logo...maybe that was just how it was?