VIDEO! 1969 Klira Model 319 "Top Star" - Barney Kessel style - made in Germany

Info:

Let me present you today an incredibly rare and cool Klira 319 “Top Star”, made around 1969 in West Germany (BRD/GDR). Klira was a large manufacturer of guitars and basses, only forgotten today since the brand doesn’t exist anymore, but only marginally smaller than Hofner and Framus at the time. This guitar is insanely rare.

While the pointy horns resemble the “Barney Kessel” model, it is thinner – more like an ES-330. It can compared best to the Epiphone Casino or Gibson ES 330 in handling and sound.

As always, the instrument has been serviced completely and is ready to be played immediately. But please read the description carefully.

Please watch the video!

Measurements, weight and other specs:

-Scale:  628 mm (Gibson-style)

-Nut: ca 4,05 cm

-Weight: ~3,22 kg

-Pickups: original Klira singlecoil pickups, measuring at ~6,7k each, controlled with individual volume and tone pots, and a 3 way toggle switch

-Body: completely hollow, laminated spruce.

-Neck:  slim soft C-shape probably maple, with rounded fretboard (7,25’’) and small vintage frets; probably rosewood fingerboard.

Condition:

-Body: no structural issues, but some lacquer fissures, dings and dongs.

-Neck: straight, well set up, frets in 7/10 condition with a couple of crevasses but no buzzy areas. The back of the neck shows some minor cosmetic issues, maybe from a capo or from leaning the guitar against sharp edges of tables etc.

-Head: good condition, the dot on the I in Klira is missing; the original tuners are gone and have left some holes.

-Hardware: good condition with few signs of aging.

-Electrics: works.

-Originality: originally, the guitar seems to have featured an active circuit (like a boost or effects) which is faintly visible on old catalogue pages as well, and indicated by a battery compartment on the back (now empty). The original circuit was gone, as were the original pots etc, so I had pickguard and the control plate restored and installed new pots to give it a 2x2 layout with using the original toggle switch. Additionally, the tuners and the tremolo arm are modern replacements. The pickups, toggle, and everything else are original. The cover of the bridge is missing.

Sound and Playability:

-Playability and string action: the guitar plays very well, even if you are not particularly used to small vintage frets. It is just well set up! Low string action of just 1,3 mm

-Sound: Please check out the video for a sound demo. The guitar is bold yet twangy without being harsh in the bridge position, and soft and mellow but with wooden transparency in the neck position, making it a great partner for many uses, especially in the studio.

Repairs, Service:

As always, the instrument has been serviced completely and is ready to be played immediately.

-Completely cleaned

-Frets polished, fretboard cleaned and oiled

-Electronics cleaned and serviced

-New pickguard and control plate assigned and installed

-New pots installed

-New trem arm and tuners installed

-Pro setup of string action, pickup height and intonation

-New 10 gauge all nickel Pyramid strings put on – play them in!

Auxiliary stuff:

-No case or gigbag included. The item will be wrapped well, and put into a sturdy cardboard box with lots of filler material. If you want a case, I can buy one at your cost before shipping it - just let me know. Costs for an ES 335 style case are at ~89 €.

Please also have a look at my other offers and follow my shop!

PACKAGING: All guitars are shipped out in a sturdy cardboard box with lots of filler material. Please note that for the protection of the environment, I am reusing used packaging material whenever I can.

SHIPPING: Please check the shipping quotes in this offer. I ship with insurance, worldwide. Usually I am able to ship the item on the same day or next day of received payment. Please allow 1-2 days from pick up for delivery in Germany, and 1-2 weeks within the EU. US, Canadian and over overseas buyers:  My shipping quotes are very competitive, I can only do that by using DHL Premium. Please anticipate a shipping time of up to 8 weeks depending on your location. Tracking is provided immediately when shipped out within the system. Please refrain from giving a review before you have received the guitar.

AFTER DELIVERY: After receiving the item, please inspect the package for obvious damages and make photos if there are any. After unpacking, check the item immediately for damages or other undocumented flaws. I accept a 14 days return and will pay for shipping if the item is in a different condition than described upon arrival. Please note that I will only take the item back entirely, but not grant any reduction of price and generally only accept returns if the item was unaltered after arrival.

CITES protection: all of the items I sell have been legally imported to the EU before January 1st 2017 and are registered with the authorities in Hamburg, Germany (if applicable).

DATA protection: German financial regulations demand that I keep your address on file in an invoice. The only information that I store is what this platform provides me. Please understand that I cannot delete that information from my files. You may ask what kind of info I have stored from you any time.