The Universal Steinberger Question

[Richland123]

I play a Steinberger L2, which I have had for 26 years. As long as I have played it, I usually hear this question at least a few times a month.

What's Do You Call That Thing You Are Playing?

Most people have no idea that it is a bass guitar, including many musicians. I always get a kick out of telling people about it. They usually follow up with comments and questions such as "It is so small", "How do you tune it?", "Where is the top?", "How do you get so much sound out of such a little guitar?", and "Where's the rest of it?"

I often tell people it was on sale 1/2 off.

[steveksux]

That's not the question I was asked when I got stopped by the police on the way home from a gig....

I stopped leaving it in the front seat after that...

He figured he had an easy DUI following me coming out of a bar parking lot at 2:30. Then got VERY curious what that object was in what looked like a gun case....

Damn lucky I hadn't been drinking. Damn lucky I didn't reach for it to show him what a cool bass guitar it was.

Randy

[Jason P Bass]

I always get asked, "What happened to your guitar?"

I think the question is more inexplicable than a headless instrument. I try to reply in kind -

"It was a normal bass guitar, naturally, and we had lots of fun together playing the silent parts of the songs. But one day, as I was standing at the back of the stage (of course) a TRAIN crashed through the building, right through the wall, and smashed right into my normal bass guitar. Well, one thing led to another, and now it looks like this. That's what happened to my guitar. Thanks for asking."

[Richland123]

Originally Posted by steveksux

That's not the question I was asked when I got stopped by the police on the way home from a gig....

I stopped leaving it in the front seat after that...

He figured he had an easy DUI following me coming out of a bar parking lot at 2:30. Then got VERY curious what that object was in what looked like a gun case....

Damn lucky I hadn't been drinking. Damn lucky I didn't reach for it to show him what a cool bass guitar it was.

Randy

I know what you mean that people think you are carrying a gun when they see your gig bag. We were playing for a wedding reception and when I came walking into the hall, somebody asked me if there was a gun in my bag. I replied with, "Isn't this a shotgun wedding?"

[Ubersheist]

Not the same, but I've gotten quizical looks for my effects pedal's carrying case. I took a gun case and carved out spots for the pedals - works like a charm. I played in a country band for a while... no questions or odd looks, 'cause I guess they're used to guns around. Lots with the reggae-rock band, tho!

[pacojas]

i almost got kicked off a plane in '92!!! i go to my seat and two security guards were led to my seat by a flight attendant.

[TheDarkReaver]

You never get "Don't you realise the '80s ended 20 years ago"?

[pacojas]

Originally Posted by TheDarkReaver

You never get "Don't you realise the '80s ended 20 years ago"?

lol,.. my son wants my 'berger so bad right now to use at gigs. you don't them anymore, but they sound so damn good!!!

[bassvi]

Boat paddle is another one mine's been called. "What happened, did your bass have an accident? Hyuk Hyuk" is another frequent comment. Someone also called it a "Devo fa***t bass" once (a guy from a southern rock band, go figure)

I've had my Steinberger L2 since 89' and it's more than earned it's place in my collection. I still travel with it when I fly since it is the ultimate travel bass even though I play mostly 6'ers these days. It's just a great, great bass. I tried to sell it in the 90's when I was in school and needed money, but no one would buy it. Lucky for me

[the greek]

i had a fretless Hohner (what a gutless piece of ****, with a plastic fretboard) in the 80's which my friends referred to as "the cricket bat". I used to sit and play at my 3rd floor flat window - passing Police Officers would often give me funny looks as if it was a shotgun...