NBD Klira 162

[godofthunder]

      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. http://www.ebay.com/itm/111714591472?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Dave W]

If you can adjust the action to your liking, $400 is a really good deal.

[godofthunder]

 The bridge pickup surround was toast bought some very nice repros from Frets On The Net, they just arrived yesterday. Pics soon!

[ilan]

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.

[chromium]

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.

[Dave W]

Good to hear that Frets On The Net is still around.

[godofthunder]

  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.

[godofthunder]

Pictures as promised! I really love these basses! Check out the repro bridge pickup ring from Frets on the Net!

[godofthunder]

 A few more!

[godofthunder]

  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.

[Pilgrim]

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.

[godofthunder]

  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.

[drbassman]

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.

[Highlander]

All Hail King Klira of Thunder-God...

[Thornton Davis]

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.



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