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Can I flip a headless bass

#21
equill said:
Very confused 4-string Steinberger Spirit owner here: mine has a zero fret, and no nut.
If you're looking at the same type as I have, there shouldn't be any real problem with stringing it left-handed, though you may need to stick to a light gauge.
Another option, if you're not wedded to double-ball strings, is an adapter for single-ended strings. They're cheap, and there's no modification involved because it's just held on by string tension. Mine has the same sized hole for each string, so that's another option.
Click to expand...
p5he9xvn29e4ad238lqq8556vkbec3yo.jpg

See how the grooves widen from G to E string? This would stop him from simply swapping the strings around. You can't reverse this like a normal nut because it's not "flippable" like a normal nut is. Even with the single ball end string adapter, the strings still have to fit down this channel. Of course the OP can learn to play his strings upside down, That's what I do. :D
 
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#22
M0ses said:
Sorry about your injury mate but welcome to the lefty club.

You mention you can get a "great price" on the Spirit but IMO they are not "great basses" so I'd hesitate to purchase just to have to mod it into something that even works. If all you want is something playable, any j or p bass will do with a quick nut flip which most repairguys won't charge you much for.
Or pick up a new lefty Squier they're all really good bargains.
Also check out leftybassist.com they have a small marketplace and good community, there are some guys there with enormous collections who will probably happily set you up with something reasonable.
Click to expand...
Thanks MOses
The main reason is to have something compact and portable to rebuild my chops wherever I am and never was a fan of travel bases.
I did reverse the nut and strap button on a Squier PJ that I have and I plan on a full size lefty also (or two or three!) in the near future as opposed to flipping all my current basses.
Thanks for you input!
 
#23
M0ses said:
Sorry about your injury mate but welcome to the lefty club.

You mention you can get a "great price" on the Spirit but IMO they are not "great basses" so I'd hesitate to purchase just to have to mod it into something that even works. If all you want is something playable, any j or p bass will do with a quick nut flip which most repairguys won't charge you much for.
Or pick up a new lefty Squier they're all really good bargains.
Also check out leftybassist.com they have a small marketplace and good community, there are some guys there with enormous collections who will probably happily set you up with something reasonable.
Click to expand...

The newer Spirits are Gibson made (the old ones were MusicYo, right?). The build quality/QC has the usual issues I'd associate with a lower tier Gibson brand (not including the Epi's which seem pretty good).

Out of the box, mine had a neck cap that is installed misaligned so you can't access the trussrod without removing the cap. It appears that there's too much build-up of finish overspray and the wood needs to be sanded down to fit right. Beyond that, it would definitely benefit from a visit to a qualified tech/luthier to do a full fret leveling & dressing to get the action from a solid medium down to low.

Probably the bigger issue (maybe not for the OP) is that without one of 'strap options (hook or pivot plate) that the original Steinbergers had over the years, the bass just 'hangs funnny' when you strap it on standing. Pretty far to your left (or in this case, the OP's right), which makes for awkward ergonomics. There's very little if any support from Gibson on these, so finding the 'hook' or a pivot plate is pretty much out of the question unless you can score an (expensive) original, etc. and I couldn't find one at the time from any of the headless specialty aftermarket places. I opted to find a pivot plate for mine (still waiting to be installed). There's someone here on TB from northern Europe who's casting them. I got one a ways back to have installed.

IMG_0837.jpg


IMG_4703.jpg
 
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#24
BurningSkies said:
The newer Spirits are Gibson made (the old ones were MusicYo, right?). The build quality/QC has the usual issues I'd associate with a lower tier Gibson brand (not including the Epi's which seem pretty good).

Out of the box, mine had a neck cap that is installed misaligned so you can't access the trussrod without removing the cap. It appears that there's too much build-up of finish overspray and the wood needs to be sanded down to fit right. Beyond that, it would definitely benefit from a visit to a qualified tech/luthier to do a full fret leveling & dressing to get the action from a solid medium down to low.

Probably the bigger issue (maybe not for the OP) is that without one of 'strap options (hook or pivot plate) that the original Steinbergers had over the years, the bass just 'hangs funnny' when you strap it on standing. Pretty far to your left (or in this case, the OP's right), which makes for awkward ergonomics. There's very little if any support from Gibson on these, so finding the 'hook' or a pivot plate is pretty much out of the question unless you can score an (expensive) original, etc. and I couldn't find one at the time from any of the headless specialty aftermarket places. I opted to find a pivot plate for mine (still waiting to be installed). There's someone here on TB from northern Europe who's casting them. I got one a ways back to have installed.

View attachment 4199004

View attachment 4199011
Click to expand...
The cheap solution is a 10" spanner wrench....
k8t0dcble4k1ebfus7amo2dst8834lh1.jpg
 
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#25
I once had a 5-string Spirit that had been converted to left hand and currently own a Steinberger XL2 4-string that had the same experience. Both had the headpiece's rightmost groove slightly enlarged to house the 4th (or 5th) string. As someone said this work takes only a few minutes with a Dremel and, if made carefully, doesn't create any problem when using the bass as a right hand again.
Here are the pictures:

Steinberger_Spirit5.jpg

Steinberger_XL2.jpg
 
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#26
g-dude said:
You could pull a MonoNeon and just play it fully backwards.
Click to expand...

the more i think about it the more this seems like the best idea to me
you're already a righty bassist, retraining your brain to play lefty...I bet adding one more little factor (strings upside down) won't slow you down much more but then opens you up to being able to play any right handed-bass you see.
 
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#28
acroce said:
I once had a 5-string Spirit that had been converted to left hand and currently own a Steinberger XL2 4-string that had the same experience. Both had the headpiece's rightmost groove slightly enlarged to house the 4th (or 5th) string. As someone said this work takes only a few minutes with a Dremel and, if made carefully, doesn't create any problem when using the bass as a right hand again.
Here are the pictures:

View attachment 4199048
View attachment 4199049
Click to expand...
Thanks.
Any rattle on the d or g with that spacing?
 
#29
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#32
equill said:
Very confused 4-string Steinberger Spirit owner here: mine has a zero fret, and no nut.
If you're looking at the same type as I have, there shouldn't be any real problem with stringing it left-handed, though you may need to stick to a light gauge.
Another option, if you're not wedded to double-ball strings, is an adapter for single-ended strings. They're cheap, and there's no modification involved because it's just held on by string tension. Mine has the same sized hole for each string, so that's another option.
Click to expand...
I got the adapter on mine that I'd forgotten about.I don't know how cheap the deal is but I still say the Spirit is a fine bass,and lends itself to bring flipped.
 
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#34
So, here's an update.
Went to pickup the Spirit last night. When I looked it over there was a long split down the middle of the back that the seller said he 'forgot about' when he posted it. There was also a rattle coming from the inside! I offered half the price that he was asking (originally $200) thinking that I could steampunk it for fun, but he turned it down.
Thanks to everyone here for the great input and pics! I'm keeping my eyes open for another one though.
Thanks again!
 
#35
JoeThomas said:
So, here's an update.
Went to pickup the Spirit last night. When I looked it over there was a long split down the middle of the back that the seller said he 'forgot about' when he posted it. There was also a rattle coming from the inside! I offered half the price that he was asking (originally $200) thinking that I could steampunk it for fun, but he turned it down.
Thanks to everyone here for the great input and pics! I'm keeping my eyes open for another one though.
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Wow he forgot,how convenient.I think the Spirit is a great bass.I like everything about it.IMO.I believe they get looked down on by some simply because of their weird shape, definitely not for everyone.I got mine at AMS.I think they're going for around $350.And they have left models.Someimes you'll find one with a "blemish" that's virtually unnoticeable.Mine was one and I never found it.And got a decent discount.Check out Harley Benton.They're dirt cheap,and have lefties.I bought a Rickenbacker copy for about $200,plus shipping (about fifty bucks) I love it! And I own 20 other basses of all types to compare it to.They sell p&j basses some starting for a hundred bucks. Patrick Hunter does some videos on these so go to his site on YouTube.The forum has an H.B. thread,check it out and ask opinions.
 
#36
kevmac said:
Wow he forgot,how convenient.I think the Spirit is a great bass.I like everything about it.IMO.I believe they get looked down on by some simply because of their weird shape, definitely not for everyone.I got mine at AMS.I think they're going for around $350.And they have left models.Someimes you'll find one with a "blemish" that's virtually unnoticeable.Mine was one and I never found it.And got a decent discount.Check out Harley Benton.They're dirt cheap,and have lefties.I bought a Rickenbacker copy for about $200,plus shipping (about fifty bucks) I love it! And I own 20 other basses of all types to compare it to.They sell p&j basses some starting for a hundred bucks. Patrick Hunter does some videos on these so go to his site on YouTube.The forum has an H.B. thread,check it out and ask opinions.
Click to expand...
Much appreciated!
Thanks kevmac!
 
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#38
kevmac said:
I give you credit for the determination to relearn as a lefty.I've imagined the scenario.I have played for decades and have enough trouble playing righty.lol
Finding a bass will be the easy part.You have the determination.Luck to ya'
Click to expand...
Ha!
Figure I can't be much worse going lefty. I've played for a few decades myself. The good thing is that it will be a good exercise for my aging brain! 67 years of life this May.
 

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