Bought a Steinberger Spirit XT-2....And

[ClassicJazz]

Sent it back!

I was looking for a bass I could travel with, keep in the car, have around to foodle with. I figured the small size would make the XT-2 ideal. I did own a Spirit before, don't remember the model but it was from MusicYo, had a conventional style body (not the brick) and a bolt-on neck - 5-String. For what it was it was decent bass and sounded pretty good.

Since I play 4-string now, I figured the XT-2 would be the way to go. Plus I heard they were a bit higher quality then the MusicYo ones, and feature a neck-through instead of bolt on. But the XT-2 has the brick shaped body.

Well got the XT-2 from MusiciansFriend for around $340. The bass itself was very well constructed. Nice low action and no fret buzz. It did not have any flaws that I can see besides a HUGE design flaw!

The original Steinberger basses as well as the new Synapse basses with the brick body have a strap extender, AKA strap hook. Since the body is so small, they help the bass hang in the right position for playing.

Well the XT-2 does not have one! So unless you have long arms like a chimp, good luck getting to the low end of the neck! I know this is suppose to be a "budget" bass, but come on guys! How does Steinberger expect anyone to play it?? When you sit, it is ok..... IMHO, without some sort of strap hook/extender this bass is useless. And Steinberger does not even offer one that would be a direct fit onto the Spirit.

Sound wise, this bass does not even sound anywhere near as good as the MusicYo Spirit I had. Very mid sounding, dull highs and muddy lows. Just sounded awful. Sounded much better unplugged!

So, sent it back......

If you are thinking about getting one, consider carefully this is a very awkward bass to play unless you modify it. Some guy posted on the Steinberger forum he added another strap button to the back of the bass in the middle to make it sit in the correct position.

 

[woodenskillet]

I bought one of these last month (4 string) and I've been very happy with it. The Synapse strap hook is available for $30 - all you need to do is buy the hook and attach it to the bass and your balance issues are a thing of the past. If you choose not to modify the bass, you are going to have to live with the awkward balance issue.

One thing obviously different about the new Spirits is that the pickups now say "Steinberger" on them - rather than "EMG Select". Are they different other than that? I don't really know.

Another thing about these basses - you might want to change the strings before you make a decision on the overall sound and playability. The stock strings (Steinberger brand, I guess) are not the best - plus they are abrasive and they turn your fingers gray with some kind of fine metallic dust.

 

[superdick2112]

imho, Steinberger is just another in a series of former greats (along with Tobias, Valley Arts, Slingerland, Kramer, and even Gibson) that was purchased by Gibson & subsequently driven into the ground. The quality of every one of the aforementioned brands dropped like a rock immediately after the buyout.

I used to have an original Steinberger XL-series bass, and it was an industrial work of art - it was the ultimate travel bass, it played & sounded fantastic, and was tough as boot leather. Why the hell doesn't Steinberger still produce the one model that made them famous? The new "strap hook" is an eyesore, and the original's high-quality (and very functional) rotating strap pivot would cost more to make than the whole new XT-2!

Epic Fail

 

[gidbass]

The Synapse strap hook is available for $30 - all you need to do is buy the hook and attach it to the bass and your balance issues are a thing of the past

I just bought one of these for my ibanez artcore, and man what a difference it made to the playability of the bass! Now, it sits very close to where my Pbass sits and I don't have to fight it now. Well worth the $30, but to the OP, if you don't like the tone, you don't like it and it makes sense to send it back.

 

[Hondo83]

I've got one of the MusicYo XT-2's and had it set up by Peekamoose Guitars in Manhattan. With new strings and lower action, it's a joy to play...just not standing up! As mentioned, the balance issue is almost a killer...I wish someone would make one of those swiveling extenders for it that the original Steinies had.

Having said that, as a small practice bass it's just perfect....light, compact, and fun to play sitting down.

 

[Tommygunn]

I got mine for wayyyyyyyy cheap, but even for $340 it wouldnt've bothered me. It didnt bother me at all, my bass sat perfectly on a strap.

 

[freebob]

even easier: you can make a little diversion on your strap.

a small rope fixed on the front hook and on one of the holes of the strap (on the back)
I got my bass hanging exactly where I want.

moving on hook on the back is also ok, but in that way the bass will tend to "watch your shoes"

sad I cannot post a foto. this solution costs about 5 cents

 

[Meddle]

Ed Roman was selling strap hooks for a bargain $350.

Link Removed

If you can get past the semi-softcore porn, the horrible '80s overload, the shocking html design and general useless nature of the website then whoever is running Ed's business now (RIP sweet prince) will fix you up a bargain deal.

Remember, Ed (RIP sweet prince) did not handle Gibson or Music Yo stuff because he is a man of principles and substance.

 

[runarlejou]

I own a Steinberger Spirit and I'm quite pleased with it. You don't need any strap extender, just put the bass at the right place when you're standing. Don't hold it like a Fender P-Bass, with the strap on the center of the shoulder. Move it to the right of the body, with the strap against your neck. Then the Spirit is well-placed, and feels light.
By the way, the Synapse strap extender may not be working very wel, since it's adapted to the Synapse body, which goes further than the Spirit body on the upper side.
The mics are the low point of the instrument - cheap bass, cheap mics. They should be replaced for upgrading. A preamp device may better the sound too.

 

[Bill AOS]

I also like the Steinberger Spirit XT-2. I have the four-string left-hand version. Its small, light and has solid hardware and great sound. You may need to adjust the truss rod if you have buzzing on your frets, or you feel your action is too high. Here is a video that shows you how.

 

[lug]

My solution for the Spirit....

Bought a spanner wrench off of amazon and had to drill 1 hole. Used the strap button screw for one mount point and drilled a small hole for the other. bass hangs great now.