Playing a Steinberger L2 - Is it too 80s retro?

[wvbass]

Originally Posted by Bottoms_Up!

In my experience, the folks that say Steinies are "sterile" sounding, have never played one.

I've been through four XM-2s, and an XP-2 (which I still own, but has since received a custom Rickenbacker body), and they sound as warm and organic as can be.

Flat-out awesome! Best looking bass I have seen on TB in quite a while!

[Rozeg]

Originally Posted by pkstone

I love my lefty-flipped XL-2 unlined fretless. I mostly get compliments from other musicians, and a great deal of curiosity from audience members. On one live recording, I heard somebody asking my son what kind of instrument it was -- was it electronic? Where are the strings? (I have black LaBella tapewounds on "None More Black", so they are basically invisible against the fingerboard, with no frets to show their location.)

That's fun! Could you post a pic of your beauty for us, please?

[pkstone]

Originally Posted by Rozeg

That's fun! Could you post a pic of your beauty for us, please?

Here's my avatar shot, larger:

[Rozeg]

Thank you so much! It does look stunning with black strings and no frets!

[bassist4dalord]

About 8 years ago I saw a classic rock/funk/60s/70s/80s/90s cover band (a particularly tight, great-sounding cover band) in which the bassist played a Steinberger Synapse 5-string. Sounded great, and I thought he was awesome because he had a sweet bass (I was 13 at the time.) I've secretly wanted one ever since. Maybe someday..

Rock it!

[Roscoe East]

Originally Posted by foal30

it's impossible to not look cool playing a L2

I admire your conviction, bravo!
Gotta admit, I've been playing an L-2 since 1982, you couldn't pry that bass from my cold dead hands...and yet I'm still not sure I can unequivocally agree with your statement!

[jgroh]

I got an XL2 about 6 months ago and love it. I get alot of people that tell me they prefer the tone over my Ric. Heres a recent photo:

[Templar]

I wouldn't mind having mine back, although it's surely worth more than I'd be willing to pay for it now. I bought it brand new in 1981, when they were still making them in the original Brooklyn shop. Serial #082, I sold it to a studio session player in Chicago in '83.

[mccartneyman]

First thought! This person knows basses. When Igot my first L2 in 1982, it was a combination of looks and sound that drove me. I stopped playing for almost 10 years and sold all my equipment. 30 years later, I got my second L2 and it was because nothing else sounds like a Steinberger. EVen though I use a Laklsnd 55-94 as my primary bass, the L2 just does it for me -- looks, sound, playablity. Especially in the studio, there is nothing quite like it.

[Sid Fang]

I bought my XL-2 in the late 80's, just as they were going out of fashion, purely for portability, but I quickly discovered that it was a truly wonderful instrument, and it became my "go to" bass. Does it get the odd cheap crack from audiences and other players? Yeah. But only until they hear it.

The thing is, these days, I'm doing material that really cries out for a low B string. If only I could find an XL-25, one of the handful of 5-strings built on the original carbon composite design with a wider neck to accommodate the extra string! Instead, I'm having Status Graphite build me a new headless graphite 5-string, but it won't be a real 'berger with a pivot plate