Pre Owned 2000 Klein Electric BF-96 Electric Guitar Sunburst With OSSC

Now, for something special....

Whether you're a collector or a player seeking a truly unique electric guitar, your interest will pique with this Klein BF-96.  This instrument debuted in the late 1980s by luthier Steve Klein; this one was crafted in 2000. This BF-96 features a unique design, it is an ergonomic, headless electric guitar specifically designed for enhanced comfort and playability. 

Steve Klein is an American luthier known for designing and building innovative, artful guitars since the late 1960s, focusing on ergonomic designs, unique structural elements like the "flying brace," and collaborations with musicians like Joni Mitchell. His work is characterized by radical design shifts, the use of advanced techniques, and meticulous craftsmanship, making his custom instruments highly prized and often influencing other builders.  Its distinctive minimalist body, inspired by Ned Steinberger, ensures balanced support whether seated or standing, reducing player fatigue. 

The original owner of this Klein Electric Guitar, model BF-96, purchased it in 2000.  He had the pleasure of visiting Lorenzo German at his shop in Discovery Bay to discuss the specs in person.   It has been kept in its original soft case since purchase and remains in extremely good condition for a 25-year old instrument with one owner.  We were blown away by how clean it is.  Due to that, and the fact that it would be difficult to hang on a regular guitar hook, we are not displaying it in our showroom - it's being kept securely packed away in the back.

This fine instrument comes with a chambered swamp ash body paired with an ash back cap which makes it light and delivers resonant tones. It's paired with a solid Guatemalan rosewood neck that is bolted on securely with 5 bolts.  The neck profile is very comfortable; it has a smooth satin finish for easy playability.  The ergonomic design lends itself to speed and comfort, whether sitting or standing.

This boutique instrument comes packed with great classic tones thanks to its pickup configuration. You get a Seymour Duncan JB humbucker in the bridge position, which gives you a thick yet articulate sound, while the Seymour Duncan Tele pickup in the neck gives you a chimey single-coil output.  The guitar is also loaded with a piezo pickup to get even more sounds.  There is a single output jack (not dual), so you would need a stereo cable to make use of this.  You can easily access a variety of sounds with individual volume controls, a Master tone control, and 3-way pickup selector.  So, the front control is the volume for the regular magnetic pickups, the middle control is the tone, and the back control is for the piezo.  This always to get either sound or a blend of both.

You also get premium hardware such as its black Steinberger S-Trem bridge. This gives you rock solid tuning and intonation.  The original owner stated that Lorenzo offered to pin the bridge. The neck has a natural flexibility that allows you to bend notes and chords, so he decided to go that route. It never had a tremolo arm, so it does not come with one.

This Klein BF-96 comes with the original softshell case, fitted to the unique size and shape of the instrument.  The techs in our shop have set it up to play perfectly.

One of Klein’s most famous players of his instruments was Lou Reed. For the recording of The Velvet Underground's landmark record, Velvet Underground & Nico, Lou Reed used a very interesting guitar on the songs "Heroin" and "I'm Waiting For The Man," both built by Klein.  He also made guitars for Joe Walsh, Steve Miller and Andy Summers. He had three different models that he made over his 50-year career as a luthier, but only one of them was headless. Klein fundamentally changed the view of the guitar by emphasizing how it harmonizes with the human body during play, incorporating ergonomic principles into his designs.  Lastly, his instruments are not mass-produced but are individually crafted, using high-end parts and showcasing exceptional attention to detail, making them highly sought-after collector's items.