• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD: Steinberger XL2

john_g

john_g

Sep 14, 2007
7,684
5,250
Pennsylvania
#1
Hey all,

Just wanted to share my excitement over my new (to me) Steinberger XL2! Got it from ebay and I was pleasantly surprised when I received it. It was made in 1990 and the photos on the auction did not do it justice. Hardly any wear and it must have just been some smudges the sellers camera picked up because this thing is really nice!

I admit I never played a real Steiny in person, only a few copies, but I took the plunge and IMHO it is really comfortable and sounds great. Cant wait to use it with the band...our almost entire second set is tunes from the 80's, so this will be great to bust out for that. Now, as a complete Geddy fanboy, all I need is a Wal to complete my collection!

:bassist:
 
#2
jgroh said:
Hey all,

Just wanted to share my excitement over my new (to me) Steinberger XL2! Got it from ebay and I was pleasantly surprised when I received it. It was made in 1990 and the photos on the auction did not do it justice. Hardly any wear and it must have just been some smudges the sellers camera picked up because this thing is really nice!

I admit I never played a real Steiny in person, only a few copies, but I took the plunge and IMHO it is really comfortable and sounds great. Cant wait to use it with the band...our almost entire second set is tunes from the 80's, so this will be great to bust out for that. Now, as a complete Geddy fanboy, all I need is a Wal to complete my collection!

:bassist:
Click to expand...

Do not believe you, no pics. Lol ;)
 
#3
Congrats! An XL2 was my main bass for about 5 years, many moons ago. Sounded & played great, and after the initial setup, it went from state to state & season to season without ever needing a single adjustment.
And yes, posting pix on NBD is mandatory - let's see that Steinberger!
 
#7
Heres a couple of quick shots of the bass:

steiny1.jpg

steiny2.jpg
 
#11
Congrats on the nice find. My white 1988 XL-2 is the one bass that I will never sell. While I like to mess around with other basses as much as anyone, it's nice to know that ol' Steiney is there whenever another bass shifts out of tune, breaks, warps, or otherwise flakes out in some way...things the 'Berger won't normally do unless affected by a nuclear explosion nearby (and maybe not even then.) It's consistently pro.
 
#13
Congratulations on a great find. Very VERY cool bass. I really appreciate it for genuinely fresh design ideas which are iconic in their execution. One of the few non-Jazz basses which holds any interest for me as a possible purchase when I win the lottery.

Kazim Sulton used to use one a lot during the Utopia days. I saw them many times and the Steinberger never let him down.

iJazz - I only wish it had more wood in the body. I think it would improve the tone. :hiding: (It's a JOKE!)
 
#15
jgroh said:
Hey all,

Just wanted to share my excitement over my new (to me) Steinberger XL2! Got it from ebay and I was pleasantly surprised when I received it. It was made in 1990 and the photos on the auction did not do it justice. Hardly any wear and it must have just been some smudges the sellers camera picked up because this thing is really nice!

I admit I never played a real Steiny in person, only a few copies, but I took the plunge and IMHO it is really comfortable and sounds great. Cant wait to use it with the band...our almost entire second set is tunes from the 80's, so this will be great to bust out for that. Now, as a complete Geddy fanboy, all I need is a Wal to complete my collection!

:bassist:
Click to expand...
Awesome! I saw the pics. Nice bass! If you want to get the ultimate Geddy bass collection, you'll need a P bass, Rickenbacker 4002, Rickenbacker 4080, Rickenbacker 4080/12, and Wal. :)

EDIT: Is that bass active or passive?
 
#19
BassPlayer900 said:
Awesome! I saw the pics. Nice bass! If you want to get the ultimate Geddy bass collection, you'll need a P bass, Rickenbacker 4002, Rickenbacker 4080, Rickenbacker 4080/12, and Wal. :)

EDIT: Is that bass active or passive?
Click to expand...

lol, and I knew someone would say THAT too! lol I have a P/J bass that can pass for the P, but the only other one I want (and its the one I want most out of all of them) is the Wal. Eventually I will have one.
 
#20
I bought my XL-2 in the late 80's, when it was only a few years old and they were still being manufactured, so I got a good deal. I honestly wasn't looking for an awesome bass, I just was sick and tired of worrying about my Pedulla getting damaged in transport or at a gig, and wanted something small and rugged. I still own both basses, but ended up playing the XL-2 a whole lot more than the Pedulla, especially for gigging. The XL-2 may be soulless compared to my wooden basses, but it's incredibly precise and consistent, never goes out of tune, and, as I keep joking, it's great in a bar fight.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back