This is a first for Dream Guitars: a brand new Klein 396! From the two Steves that matter most (Klein & Kauffman, respectively), we have a gorgeous example of contemporary, freethinking lutherie at its razor’s edge. Where to begin? Let’s start with the basics: impressively colorful Myrtlewood for the back, sides, neck, and headstock backstrap; Sitka Spruce top; 25 1/2″ scale, iconic Klein bridge plus individual string saddles, nut integrated into the headstock with a zero fret; distinctive floating and carbon-fiber-reinforced braces.

To discuss the tone of this instrument, let’s first start with one provision: that Klein guitars just don’t sound (or look) like other flattop guitars. Klein & Kauffman have managed to find themselves an honest niche in this already niche market, and this medium-sized 396 confirms that. The trebles have at once a breathy quality and a wide range of response. Which is to say, there’s a dynamic overtone response that comes out in different places across the fretboard, and the upper register itself has great body and poise. That responsiveness is well-mated to the even-keeled middle register and the defined, crisp basses.

While powerful, this Klein 396 is hardly boomy; rather, the overall voice is balanced like only a Klein can be, with equal space for each string and register. It lends itself to lowered tunings, especially spacious arrangements with floating open strings–but let’s be honest, just about anything sounds wonderful on this new Klein. This, friends, is a guitar you need to experience firsthand.

Getting a Klein in your shop is like opening your birthday presents and finding exactly what you asked for: the gift of this Klein is, like all of Steve’s guitars, a gift of immense proportions. Frankly, we wonder were Steve manages to find so many gorgeous sets for his larger-than-life tops and backs, like the gorgeous Sitka Spruce and Flamed Maple here. Bound in yet more Maple and with Klein’s trademark asymetrical, pinless bridge, the body of this L45.7 is surprisingly lightweight (weighing in at 4lbs 3oz for the entire guitar), and features an access port by the endpin so you can take a glimpse into Klein’s complex and fascinating innovations in bracing systems, from the carbon fiber reinforcement to the flying X brace that shoots down to the sides from the center of the X.

As expected, the bass is cavernous, bone-rattling. Paired with crisp, agile trebles, that fearsome bass response creates a huge wall of sound with each strum–and just wait until you put this bombshell in altered tunings! Truly, the Klein guitar is a unique manifestation of contemporary guitar design; each Klein as powerful and complex as two or three lesser guitars combined. Plus, this L45.7 comes with a Calton flight case to ensure that no harm can come to it.

In this shop full of strange and wonderful guitars, a regular ole Klein guitar would fit right in. But this? The Deco? Instead, one of the five large-bodied guitars that Steve Kleincollaborated with Steve Kauffman and Paul Schmidt to create? No, this calibre of unique stands alone, even in a room of Symogyis, Matsudas, Walkers, and Olsons. These guitars are living legends, both in terms of their collectibility and the ferociousness of their voice. Klein’s guitars look almost as different as they sound, and that’s not a bad thing: the voice that booms out of this wide Brazilian Rosewood and Sitka Spruce soundbox is enveloping, loud, gorgeously articulate, with mids full of richness and a low end that sneaks up on your ear, until you find your head absolutely teeming with its huge, expansive voice–and all without the aid of a soundport in the upper bout! The custom made tuners (from David Rogers), integral Pearl nut, and Pearl-and-Abalone rosette which crouches on the bottom of the Ebony fretboard, when combined with Klein’s trademark asymetrical bridge and extra-wide lower bout, reveals a guitar which strikes as fresh and exciting a figure as its energetic and polyphonous voice. This guitar comes with a custom Calton Flightcase.

Having a Steve Klein guitar in the shop is always a treat, and this M-43 is no exception. This monster is still young (having been brought to life only in 1997), but has a voice which seems to come from another place, another era altogether. Thanks to the 16 3/4″ lower bout, this larger-than-life guitar has a low-end which is cavernous and resounding, and yet is paired with trebles that are instantly responsive and crisp as bells. Despite its voluptuous dimensions, the M-43 feels natural in your lap, and is effortless to play–one of but several reasons why Joni Mitchell, Michael Hedges, Steve Miller, Andy Summers, and Sting prefer to play Kleins!

With Indian Rosewood back and sides and a Sitka Spruce top (both Master Grade), you can rest assured that the voice has herculean strength. The top is drum-thin and has a tap tone which resonates wildly. Klein achieves this degree of thinnness with his progressive bracing techniques, which manifest in an arching ply baffle in the M-43 which connects the soundhole to the sides and helps project sound outward. Bundled with a Calton Flight Case and a Highlander IP-1 pickup, this M-43 is the complete package: fingerpicked or strummed, acoustic or amplified, at home or on the road, this guitar delivers the goods.

This Klein M.43 is a like a full band in a box, the voice is complex and huge. Not big and boomy, but big, clear and beautiful. The M.43 body is 16 3/4″ at the lower bout but it’s easy to hold sitting or standing. Klein necks always play tremendously well, it’s easy to fret anywhere on the neck and intonation is superb. Micheal Hedges’ symbol adorns the 12th fret of the board as well. This one is Indian Rosewood and Sitka Spruce, both are Master Grade and exquisite and it comes through in the voice of this rare preowned Steve Klein M.43.

We have honored to be able to offer our customers this amazing Steve Klein L-45.7 guitar that was owned by Andy Summers of The Police. This is extraordinary provenance, that makes this guitar even more collectable and enjoyable(See letter from Andy below). But the truth is this is just an amazing guitar. This Klein’s WEDGE shaped body is a wonderful size that offers the lush bass response Klein is known for, but it’s nicely balanced with shimmering trebles and together they create the unmistakable Klein sound made famous by Joni Mitchell, Bill Frisell, Martin Simpson and of course Michael Hedges. This guitar is crafted from the finest Brazilian Rosewood, topped with Spruce and adorned with wonderful artistic details as only Steve Klein can imagine and execute.