Are Steinbergers still sought after?

[Bob_Ross]

At the airport customs in London, the customs guy insisted I play it to illustrate that it wasn't a weapon and that I really played bass. The gig bag did look like it was a rifle

Yeah, I got stopped by some Transit cops when I entered a NYC subway station with my Steinberger L-2 back in the late 1980s. They very quickly agreed that it wasn't a rifle once I opened the case, but I actually had to pluck a few notes to satisfy them because when I said "It's a bass guitar" they only got more suspicious!

I still have my L-2 that I got new in 1982; it doesn't get used all that often, but when it does it's perfect. I'll never get rid of that bass. Brilliant design, incredible sound. Stupid looking as all hell.

 

[DrDAV14]

I was riding to a studio rehearsal date on my motorcycle in downtown Houston. Rode the bike for ability to find parking easier. I had 2 cops converge on me as I arrived at my destination to warn me about transporting firearms in the city. Luckily one of the officers knew about Steinbergers and chuckled and told me to have a good day. For a minute there I was probably the "Terminator".

 

[joshuasanders]

We could start a thread entitled "bass guitars confused for weapons" . . .

 

[leegreenman]

Also, this:

I think it would be possible to count the brands he didn't own instruments by on one hand.

 

[jazz Bass 74]

Still have my XM-2.

 

[EriktheRed]

The only gig I've ever had so far had me playing a red Hohner Steinberger copy ("stick" style) that was lent to me by another band member, since I didn't own a bass myself.

I was happy to just be playing in a band at all, so I didn't complain, but it definitely wouldn't have been my fist choice for a bass. Even in its heyday, I never cared much for the stick design.

 

[alembicbones]

I so wanted to like the XL-2 but it never balanced right for me. I've owned 2 over the years and sold both of them. The tone is great though.

Now I own a NS Design Radius CR 5 that works great for me.

Bones

 

[Yango]

...The "rifle" thing is no joke - almost got shot two weeks ago in a NYC train station when a Port Authority cop thought I was armed and ignoring his orders to stop. He thought that I was bent on mass murder - but, I had headphones on and did not hear him order me to stop walking towards the train.
I also had to "demonstrate" that it was not a rifle . . .

I had a similar experience at a Revenue Canada office (Canadian IRS...) when I went to pick up some filing forms on my way to a rehearsal with my XL2A strapped on my back. A young guy in plain clothes was on me in about 45 seconds. Walked right up to me and asked me what was in the case. He was acting cool trying to make small talk, but seemed very tense. I told him it was a headless bass, and asked him if he wanted to see it. He said sure, and once he saw the neck, strings and all he just walked away and wished me a good evening. It wasn't until that point that I realized that he was security... I thought he actually had an interest in seeing my bass, when actually he just wanted to be sure that I wasn't going to go postal on them.

 

[wrench45us]

local music store guy told me his uncle swapped his original Steinberger gig bag for a more padded shotgun case -- in camo colors, of course.

no word if he ever got stopped