Steinberger "Calibrated" vs. "Non-Calibrated"

[Jerry J]

The only thing that I could find regarding "calibrated" was that this had something to do with the "transtrem" system.

I just bought a set of Steinberger brand strings for my Steinberger Spirit and they say "Non-Calibrated" on the package. Although it says "Officially Approved by Steinberger" on the package.

[mikezimmerman]

Right--the "calibrated" sets were designed to work with the Transtrem. The Transtrem is basically a transposing tremelo system (on bass, you could lock the bridge up a whole note, or down up to a fifth, IIRC), so all the strings needed to bend up or down at the same rate so they would stay in tune with each other. The calibrated sets were basically just specific string gauges that matched up for that purpose.

Mike

[Jerry J]

The reason I asked was I recently bought a little Steinberger Spirit as a travel bass and to use at the computer for lessons. The only strings that I could find locally was a set of D'addarios with the double ball. Well I was having a bit of trouble with the D-string tuner getting tight when I got close to pitch. So Michael Vee suggested that I clean the tuner, lube it and add a #10 nylon washer. That made it better but it still gets tight. Another friend/Steinberger player said that it might be because D'addario's specs might be a bit off and that D-string might be a bit longer than it should. Thus causing the tuner to be pulled too far back.

So...sorry for the long story but I just bought a set of actual Steinberger strings and the package said "Non-calibrated". So I just wanted to make sure that I didn't really have to look for calibrated strings.

Thank you for your reply Mike.

[brianrost]

You can try flipping the strings around if you're running out of travel at the tuner. I have done this with the G strings in GHS sets in the past.

[MichaelVee]

Jerry- In my Spirit experience, many of the sets I have used have that same problem. As long as the strings are at tension, even if the ball is exposed in the bridge claws, they won't come out.

Usually it's the heavier strings, the E and B's that have the ball exposed.

The detuning bridge mechanism on that bass was always a bit stiff, compared to the quick action on a Hipshot D-tuner. It may also be that it could be taken apart and any tight clearances lightly ground to loosen them. Or, it may just naturally improve over time through wear. That bass was just about new when I bought it, so it's not really been played that much yet.

[Jerry J]

Thanks for the replies, guys! Actually I was really just looking to get educated on the strings. Mainly the difference between the calibrated and non-calibrated Steinbergers.

I am able to get the d-string tuned up ok. It just seems tighter than the others and I was just trying to attribute it to the use of an off-brand (D'addarios?).

Michael, I'm on a business trip to Dallas, TX and brought the Spirit along so I could practice at night when I get off of work. It worked out great as a carry-on. The security gate at the airport looked closely at my laptop but didn't even open the gig bag to look at the bass!