Klein & Kauffman 426 - Build Thread

[nootis]

Welcome to my thread featuring the incredible designs and talents of Steve Klein and Steve Kauffman.

I have been an admirer of Steve Klein designed guitars for many years. I first met Steve Klein at the 2017 Santa Barbara luthier show. His display was a showcase in itself, for it was separated from the rest of the show. As I recall, it shared the room with a few dozen antique baroque-style guitars that when looking at them in order, it felt like you were in a museum looking at the timeline of lutherie. Then of course, you ended up at the modern designs of Steve Klein. Steve didn't know me from Adam, but he was very kind and welcoming and offered me to try any guitar he had. Even though I have no real good idea how to play a 7 string guitar, I managed to try this one out... just for fun...



I was indeed fascinated with his guitars, was still awestruck and felt unworthy to be in the same room as all those wonderful guitars. I then thanked him for his time and proceeded to check out the rest of the show.

Fast forward to Woodstock 23'. I enjoyed that show immensely and during the weekend, I found myself falling in love with the sweet trebles that all 3 of the Klein & Kauffman guitars at the show exhibited. It is here where I struck up a new friendship with Steve Kauffman. I was actually interested in purchasing one of the guitars he brought with him, but after sleeping on it, another person pulled the trigger before I got the chance. In hindsight, this is a good thing, for I forged ahead and decided to commission my very own. For those of you that also enjoy commissioning a guitar, this was ideal.

Steve Kauffman gave me a book that he had on display and for sale called, "Art That Sings". It's a very well-done coffee table style book with lots of quality photos regarding, "The Life and Times of Luthier Steve Klein". I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and I would recommend it to anyone that likes that sort of thing. Highlights of the book tells the story of how Steve Klein's designs evolved, the scientific inspiration of Dr. Michael Kasha (a colleague and friend of Steve's grandfather) and how he was able to get his guitars in the hands of some of the most popular musicians from the burgeoning San Fransisco Bay Area music scene in the early 70's. Players and clients include Joni Mitchell, Joe Walsh, Steve Miller, Stephen Stills, Michael Hedges and many others. Hard work and perseverance are what immediately jumps out for me, but there are also some strokes of genius mixed in with functional artistic/scientific design that truly makes Steve Klein's designs unique. The Kauffman/Klein connection began in the late 70's, but really didn't gain full-time traction until the early 90's. These days, Steve Klein's focus is on the electric side where he builds at his shop in Sonoma, CA, while Steve Kauffman's focus is on the acoustic side where he builds at his shop just south of Eugene, OR. Most likely, from here on out, when I refer to Steve, I am referring to Steve Kauffman.

Steve currently offers 3 Klein models: 457 (large), 426 (medium) and 396 (small). He also builds his own Kauffman models that are still unique, but more traditional sizes like, parlor, large, small and dreadnaught. I have chosen the medium 426 Klein model and went with a 3-piece wedge Brazilian back, German Spruce top, Indian Rosewood neck with a multiscale and a side port with (I think) Holly bindings. The rest of the details are his standard rosette, headstock and bridge, but if you don't already know, those details are anything, but standard. I believe this will be Steve's 173rd guitar, and with his permission to showcase the build for all of you, the fun has just begun.

More to come....

[doodahdoug]

This should be a fun ride Dan, great builder and tonewood choices. I look forward to following along!

[nootis]

Glad you'll be following Doug!

So let's get this show on the road! Steve and I went through a few options with him showing me various sets of African Blackwood and Brazilian Rosewood. I decided to go with this straight grained set with a small wedge that will be framed with Holly. I think this will add to the elegance of this guitar...



As Steve got started, he sent me a picture of bending the sides. He also got a head start on some of the components that will pop up here in the thread such as the rosette, neck block, etc.



Steve explained that he scrapes the interior of the sides, for, "it is superior to a sanded surface as it doesn't leave micro tears and impacted dust, which in turn would attract moisture. Super clean!"



Preparing the reinforcement for the sound port using an aircraft-grade veneer laminate...



The aforementioned end block and door frame. Steve tells me that once he tried installing an access panel on a guitar, he decided to do it on every guitar. The benefits are being able to refine voicing, tweaking pickup installations and makes it easier for any future repairs. You can also insert a tracking device for those guitarists that are also spies/secret agents...



Here he is showing his "standard" rosette and it being installed. I personally think it's a beautiful and timeless rosette...

[Nemoman]

This will be awesome, Dan--thanks for sharing it with us!

[Guitars44me]

A window into Steve Kaufman…. Very Interesting builder!

First time I have seen one here, I think.

This will be a lot of fun to follow. And even more fun for you to play!

Thanks for sharing.

Paul

[Carpinteria]

Very cool, Dan! I remember playing one of Steve’s guitars back when I lived in California, probably 35 years ago. The back and sides were Claro walnut and I can’t remember the soundboard wood. But I do remember how incredibly balanced and beautiful it was. With your chosen wood combination this should be really wonderful, and probably unique in your collection. Thanks for sharing the process.

[cigarfan]

Congrats Dan! Looks like an extremely interesting guitar on the way. Very nice BRW on that back and sides. Certainly looking forward to watching this one come together.

[nootis]

Thanks for following along Kevin, Paul, Dave and Dennis! I can't recall a Klein and Kauffman thread either. I'm certainly stoked to be hosting.

I'm not too familiar with the Kasha theory other than what I've read in the aforementioned book Steve gave me. However, there is an interesting segment that explains how Dr. Kasha's passion for experimental classical guitar designs ended up becoming a life changing time in Steve Klein's life. It opened his mind for the possibilities of rethinking how guitars are built. From what I gathered, Dr. Kasha was a lot like us in that he became a guitar hobbyist when he introduced his son to the instrument. Being a physical chemist, among a host of other degrees, when Dr. Kasha looked in more detail how most classical guitars were built, he thought that the designs were crude at best. He dabbled in designing a guitar using his scientific knowledge as the precursor to his designs and commissioned several instruments as experiments to his ideas. He showed them to Steve Klein and they had many discussions. Steve asked the Dr. if his ideas and theories could translate to the steel string guitar. Dr. Kasha's response was negative believing that the steel stings were sufficient drivers themselves and he really had no interest in steel strings guitars. However Steve Klein did, and he went on to experiment himself using some of these same ideas. The rest as they say, "Is History"!

This next set of pictures is letting us get a glimpse of what's under the hood, and we get to see how these ideas that originated in the late 60's and early 70's have evolved. For his bracing, Steve splits billets to ensure maximum strength-to-weight ratio, then deflection tests each strip, sorts them, rejects some and checked for runout if not perfect. He takes his fans seriously!





Steve tells me that he made the little wooden plane decades ago, with the intention of using it to make a mold to cast a brass version, but it works so well that he's never gotten around to it!

[cigarfan]

The bridge plate is so cool. Almost seems like it's not wide enough until you look at how the strings are threaded in your first photo.

[Steve Kinnaird]

Holly bindings will look great on this Dan.
But that’s for the top, right? Rosewood for back bindings? 🤪
This will be fascinating, and as others have said, thanks for posting.

Steve

[Chazmo]

Originally Posted by nootis

I managed to try this one out... just for fun...

Best of luck with your build nootis.

On the pictured 7-string, what is the bejeweled thing dangling into the soundhole, extending off the inlays in the soundboard and fretboard? Is that a microphone?

[TomB'sox]

Wow, congrats, I have seen their stuff at Woodstock, but I can't recall ever seeing a build thread from them. They are legends for their designs and builds to bring out what they feel is the absolute best sound possible. This will be fun to watch.

[nootis]

Originally Posted by cigarfan

The bridge plate is so cool. Almost seems like it's not wide enough until you look at how the strings are threaded in your first photo.

Right! After looking a bit closer at their design and after playing them, it is apparent that the design of the bridge separates the bass strings from the trebles quite purposefully, yet they meet up and are anchored by the internal bridge plate before they fan out to either the bass or treble side. One of the main reasons I decided to pull the trigger on this build was the fact that the trebles were absolutely heavenly on all 3 guitars that Steve brought to Woodstock. The best and clearest trebles I've come across IMHO. The bass notes weren't too shabby either!

Originally Posted by Steve Kinnaird

Holly bindings will look great on this Dan.
But that’s for the top, right? Rosewood for back bindings? ��
This will be fascinating, and as others have said, thanks for posting.

Steve

Thanks for following Steve. This thread might hold the record for how many Steves are referenced! I wouldn't impose any crazy binding ideas on any luthier unless I had Ryan to help persuade them.

Originally Posted by Chazmo

Best of luck with your build nootis.

On the pictured 7-string, what is the bejeweled thing dangling into the soundhole, extending off the inlays in the soundboard and fretboard? Is that a microphone?

Thanks for chiming in Chazmo. If I recall correctly, it was simply a fun design element that allowed for the artistic coil to float in the sound hole. I also believe it was removable and attached via a magnet. Either way, it was a super cool guitar.

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Wow, congrats, I have seen their stuff at Woodstock, but I can't recall ever seeing a build thread from them. They are legends for their designs and builds to bring out what they feel is the absolute best sound possible. This will be fun to watch.

Thanks for following along Tom. They are definitely legends, but both Steve's are super down to earth and masters at what they do. I could also say the same about that other Steve K. fella from Nacogdoches.

[Zandit75]

Interesting designs.
The basic design of the top bracing reminds me of Falcate Bracing as far as the placement of the braces. They are obviously not curved, but follow similar pathways. Trevor Gore's scientific approach has yielded a similar design.

[dcn]

This is really cool, Dan. I've never seen one of these guitars in person, really looking forward to following along.