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1997 Klein M-43, Maple/Spruce
This Klein M43 from 1997 offers a subtle glimpse into what Klein & Kauffman guitars are renowned for today. This variation features an offset soundhole, which creates an even more unique sonic soundscape with this instrument. Wielding it feels powerful; hearing it is moving, and looking at it encompasses both of those experiences. The Maple back and sides exhibit extreme chatoyance, reminiscent of looking into the bottom of a swimming pool in summer. The spruce top has aged just as finely in sound as it has in hue. But enough of us gushing over this—listen to the sample and watch the video for yourself. Brace yourself.
Other Keywords/mispellings: Luthier, lutherie, bespoke, handmade, klien, undersaddle, calton j-4075
$9,270 Add to cartScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce, Maple Add to Compare1996 Klein L457 Mushrooms Brazilian Rosewood/Spruce
Klein & Kaufman crafted this beast in 1996. An absolute stunning set of Brazilian Rosewood for the back and sides, with a gorgeous Spruce top. This guitar has had nearly 30 years of play at time of publication, and it certainly lets you know. All of the characteristics that we know and love about Klein & Kaufman guitars are present in this build. Powerful bass, and trebles that truly stand out. You’ll notice that there is something funky about this particular instrument, funky? Fungal? Ah yes, there are beautiful abalone mushrooms filling in the fingerboard and headplate. This is such a unique and singular piece that it made its way into the book “The Guitar” by Nick Freeth and Charles Alexander. These guitars are beloved by many famous wielders of the axe! Steve Martin, Joni Mitchell and Andy Summers to name a few. If you’re looking for an incredibly inspirational instrument as well as an exciting addition to any collection–look no further.
Additional keywords/misspellings: Luthier, lutherie, fingerstyle, modern, calton, 90’s s-3/044
$12,875 Add to cartScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.25 in Woods Spruce, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare1992 Klein Electric, Bubinga
This 1992 Klein Electric is an experience, such that it proves difficult to keep one’s head while playing. Pun intended. Fully loaded with Alembic Activator pickups– In the HSS configuration. A full tonal palate that leaves one wanting nothing else. Alongside the Steinberger TransTrem System, this instrument is ready to give anything you ask of it. This solid body guitar is constructed of Bubinga, and its heft doesn’t lie solely in its timbre, however, the ergonomic design of Klein’s electric guitars provides this guitar with a sense of stability not often felt in electric guitars. Very much a, “Look Ma! No Hands!” scenario. This guitar is nearly effortless to play. To top it all off, we are selling this guitar for guitarist, composer and fearless improvisor–Henry Kaiser. Which if you’re familiar with his work, the lively pickguard should come as no surprise.
Other keywords/misspellings: lutherie, ergo guitar, rosewood, tremelo, solid-body, solidbody, headless, trans trem, klien
$10,815 Add to cartScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.625 in String Spacing 1.969 in Woods None, Bubinga Add to Compare2018 Klein 457, Brazilian Rosewood/Engelmann Spruce
Taking this 2018 457 for a spin, and you lose track of time right out of the gate. This big boy fills your lap and vibrates your chest at first strum, and quickly sets the room to vibrating with the force of its voice. This 457 is a fantastic example of the expansive, enveloping, sonorous Klein sound—with some top shelf upgrades to set it apart. Mouth-watering gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood back and sides (chocolate-dark and black ink lines) with Spruce on top and a multiscale setup oof 26 1/4” on the bass and 25 1/8” on the treble. Moreover, the neck, bridge, and fingerboard are all also Brazilian Rosewood—this neck is a special rarity, and adds smooth sustain to the midrange that really helps fills out the voice. The expansive 18” lower bout loves, loves, loves to tune down to altered tuning territory (Cadd9) is a particular sweet spot.
Ready to land this big slice of lutherie life? Give us a shout!Other keywords: custom guitar, custom build, lutherie, luthier, steve kauffman, steve klein, klein & kauffmam, steve kaufman, fan fret, fanned fret, multi scale, multi-scale, fingerstyle
$12,515 Add to cartScale Length 25.125 in - 26.25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.188 in Woods Spruce - Engelmann, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to CompareBrand New Klein 457 Big Pink, Pink Ivory/Sitka Spruce
When ordering a custom Klein & Kauffman, it’s go big or go home! This client build is a big boy 457 dressed to the nines with Pink Ivory back and sides (as well as headplate, bridge, and fingerboard), Bearclaw Sitka Spruce top, and Flamed Koa neck (plus bindings). A vine and flower inlay pattern from Larry Robinson extends from the headplate, across the fingerboard, and terminates at the bass-side bridge wing. Additional creature comforts include a soundport at the upper bout, and a slim playing weight of only five pounds. There’s a lot of real estate under the hood here; amazing that Steve manages to keep the weight so low. Ready to commission your own? Give us a shout!
other keywords: bespoke guitar, 457-162, fingerstyle, jumbo, steve klein, steve kauffman, calton
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Pink Ivory Add to CompareBrand New Klein & Kauffman 426, Brazilian Rosewood/European Spruce
What could be better than working with a great client and one of our favorite builders for a custom project? This Klein & Kauffman 426 was the result of one such collaboration, and it couldn’t have turned out better. We decided on a dramatically figured Brazilian Rosewood body with European Spruce on top, plus a multiscale setup to allow for a range of altered tunings. The result is the trademark Klein bass response, plus punchy mids and a clean top end with some sweet overtones. Riches abound! Additionally, Steve dressed this up a soundport, custom Hoffee case and cover, and we even got Larry Robinson to inlay a vibrant, iridescent lotus at the headstock. Along the fretboard are correspondingly colorful Abalone block position markers.
Ready to start your build? We’re here!
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, steve klein, fingerstyle, brazilain
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.125 in - 26 in Nut Width 1.813 in String Spacing 2.18 in Woods Spruce - European, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare1999 Klein Electric
More fun than you can shake a bag of strings at—and make sure they’re double-ball-ended strings at that. This headless Klein Electric from 1999 is immensely fun, and so effortless to play. The body design orients the neck perfectly for the left hand, while balancing the neck weight such that the guitar stays right in place on your right leg, no balancing required. The pickups are a set of Joe Bardens with coil taps at the volume and tone knobs for single coil screams. Combined with a five-way switch and Steinberger tremolo, this Klein Electric gives the player an immense array of tones and textures at their fingertips.
Other keywords: lutherie, ergo guitar, rosewood, ash, bardon, reunion blues, e0-6-99
Add to CompareBrand New Klein 426, Myrtlewood/Torrefied Sitka
Our latest 426 from Steve Klein and Steve Kauffman is hands down a knockout. Gorgeous Myrtlewood back and sides with lovely dramatic figure, paired with a Torrefied Sitka Spruce top, makes for a quick, lively, and expressive guitar that’s equally at home with a pick as fingers. The 426 body fills the niche between their 396 and the full tilt 457, and that middle ground gives a great balance of projection and note definition. Add a soundport to the mix, plus all the usual Klein innovations like the integrated nut, access panel, and engineered bridge, and you’ve got a one-of-a-kind modern guitar on your hands.
Other keywords: lutherie, luthier, steve kauffman, steve klein, klein & kauffmam, steve kaufman, fingerpicking, 426-152, ameritage
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Myrtlewood Add to CompareBrand New Klein 457, Brazilian Rosewood/Engelmann Spruce
Brand new and already raring to go. This Klein & Kauffman 457 is such a powerhouse, and it’s decked out with some premium woods to boot. Mouthwatering Brazilian Rosewood back and sides pair up with Engelmann Spruce on top, a Guatemalan Rosewood neck for added sustain, Holly bindings throughout, and an upper bout soundport for a little more me in the monitors. What’s not to love? The voice is voluminous and thunderous, but maintains a crisp balance across the registers and along the fretboard that really speaks to the finest of modern lutherie. No one builds quite like Steve Klein and Steve Kauffman, and nothing sounds quite like this 457.
Other keywords: luthier, steve kauffman, steve klein, klein & kauffmam, steve kaufman, fingerpicking, nitrocellulose lacquer, ameritage, 457-149
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.5 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - Engelmann, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to CompareBrand New Klein 457, Brazilian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce
Custom Klein, we’ll take every time. This beautiful client commission comes dressed to the nines with power and poise to spare. Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, Sitka Spruce on top, multiscale fretboard and a James May Ultra Tonic pickup installed so it’s ready to waltz right up to the stage. We love bringing together our clients and our favorite builders for custom projects like these; we can’t think of a better way to land exactly 100% what you as a musician need from their instrument than by dialing every detail in with us. Want one for yourself? Give us a shout! We’re more than excited to help.
Other keywords: custom guitar, custom build, lutherie, luthier, steve kauffman, steve klein, ameritage, klein & kauffmam, steve kaufman
SOLD Read moreAdd to CompareBrand New Klein 457 12-String, Brazilian Rosewood/Sitka Spruce
Sometimes, big sounds come in big packages—and this Klein 457 12-string is precisely that. This is an instrument that fills the room, and then some. One of our clients, in love with the 6-string 457 we built for him, decided to immediately commission this beauty to complement it. Premium Brazilian Rosewood back and sides with Sitka Spruce on top, a one-piece Rosewood neck (!), and a 26.25-25” multiscale setup for even more power and clarity. This 457 plays like butter, and is equally at home with a light touch and a more aggressive attack; it’s got gears for days, which isn’t something we often see with 12-strings.
Ready for a custom Klein of your own? Give us a shout to start the build process!Other keywords: custom guitar, custom build, lutherie, luthier, steve kauffman, steve klein, klein & kauffmam, steve kaufman, fan fret, fanned fret, multi scale, multi-scale, fingerstyle
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in - 26.25 in Nut Width 1.875 in String Spacing 2.375 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Brazilian Add to Compare2003 Klein M43, Indian Rosewood/Bearclaw Sitka Spruce
Now here’s an instrument to scare away the Martins and Gibsons: a Klein M43 from 2003. It’s a big boy! With a big personality to match. This guitar was commissioned by a client who hand selected a gorgeously figured Indian Rosewood set for the back and sides, which is here paired with a Bearclaw Sitka Spruce top on Steve Klein’s M43 body. At 17 inches across the lower bout, this guitar has an unearthly growl and projection that fills the room, and the trebles cut nicely through the mix. It handles flatpicking just as well as fingerstyle, especially in fun altered tunings—and the slim neck makes for an easy playing experience. Additionally, this beauty comes installed with a Highland IP1 pickup system and a custom Calton flight case. This M43 features a single saddle, rather than the individual saddles that we see on many Kleins, and we feel that may lend something to the clarity and definition of the upper register.
Other keywords: custom guitar, custom build, lutherie, luthier, steve kauffman, steve klein, klein & kauffmam, steve kaufman
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Rosewood - Indian Add to Compare1994 Klein Electric
It’s always a fantastic time when we get to play one of Steve Klein’s feats of modern lutherie, but one we don’t see com that often through our doors is a solid body electric like this 1994 beauty. Solid Spruce body with one-piece Rosewood neck, 19 frets to the body and a 25.4” scale, plus a truly fearsome JCustom Headless Research tremolo system. Steve’s design carries out ergonomics to the very end: this guitar sits perfectly in the lap, neck at a comfortable angle, and the weight distributes just as easily when strapped in and standing up. Seymour Duncan pickups, 5-way switch, volume and tone knobs with a coil tap push-pull. A lifetime of tones wrapped in one effortless package.
Other keywords: ergo guitar, solidbody, solid-body, 066, klein guitars, headless guitar, transtrem, trans trem
Add to CompareBrand New Klein Big Pink 457, Pink Ivory/Bearclaw Sitka
Honestly, does this thing have a ceiling? Cuz we can’t find it. We laid into it with a multitude of tunings, attacks, nails and picks, and “Big Pink” kept coming back for more. Well, we did learn one thing: this Klein’s got bottom end to spare. Our teeth are still chattering at the memory of playing it. Steve Klein and Steve Kauffman have pulled off an incredible feat here with this 457 model. Jaw dropping Pink Ivory for the back and sides are matched with a Pink Ivory fretboard, bridge, and headstock veneer—and they pulled out a gorgeously bearclaw figured Sitka Spruce top (at a fearsome 17” lower bout, we wonder where they found these sets?). And Larry Robinson flowers and vines round out the package at the headstock.
The voice is exactly what you’d expect from Klein & Kauffman: huge, expansive, voluminous, and at the same time precise, clear, defined. We don’t know how they manage to strike that razor edge balance, but the proof is in the Big Pink-flavored pudding.Other keywords: custom guitar, custom build, lutherie, luthier, steve kauffman, steve klein, big guitar, bass response, gotoh, ameritage
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25 in - 26.25 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - Sitka, Pink Ivory Add to CompareBrand New Klein 396L, Indian Rosewood/Engelmann Spruce
Steve Klein and Steve Kauffman continue to push the envelope, and after so many years they’re still finding new ways to do so. This brand new 396L is their smaller body they’ve been building for years, and with the L designation they slimmed the sides here for a more intimately proportioned Klein. The tone has an added dose of energy and quickness as a result, among other things. Indian Rosewood back and sides are paired with Engelmann Spruce on top, a light sunburst to boot, and their latest iteration of the side access panel—this time with magnets, it hinges at the center when pressed from the treble side, granting you instant access to the interior for string changes (note the string through bridge here), pickup modification, the works. All wrapped up in a custom Ameritage case that protects well and looks good while it’s at it.
Other keywords: custom guitar, custom build, lutherie, luthier, steve kauffman, steve klein, ameritage, klein & kauffmam, steve kaufman
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.4 in Nut Width 1.75 in String Spacing 2.125 in Woods Spruce - Engelmann, Rosewood - Indian
As far back as his memory takes him Steve Kauffman has been passionate about working with wood. He grew up in San Francisco near Golden Gate Park during the 1960s. It was an amazing social and musical scene, and it was formative in his development both as an artist and a human being. Steve built his first guitar in the early ‘70s when he was still a teenager, and ever since he’s been enthralled with lutherie.
Very early in his career Steve Kauffman began exploring the variations which affect the guitars’ tonal qualities, such as bracing systems and wood combinations. When he met, and apprenticed with Steve Klein decades ago, he was very grateful – there are very few original things in the world – the Klein guitar is one of them. The two eventually turned into collaborators; Klein the genius designer and Kauffman the master craftsman.
They worked on a number of projects together including the Taylor Bass and the TransPerformance Self-Tuning Acoustic Guitar, and all of that work has impacted Steve Kauffman’s own sense of building.
Steve Kauffman still makes Klein acoustic guitars, which he loves to do, and is increasingly enthusiastic about Kauffman guitars. His instruments are a bit more traditional-looking, yet still incorporate many of the innovative ideas of Dr. Michael Kasha and Steve Klein. Notwithstanding the model, all Kauffman guitars are typified by their beauty of tone and their incisive clarity and power. They are exceedingly efficient and built with utter precision, making for instruments that are at once sensitive and sturdy. Steve makes each guitar one at a time by hand in his own shop in Cottage Grove, Oregon, a method that allows his to have a deep relationship with each instrument, and that he feels produces a superior guitar.