• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

OFFICIAL Steinberger Synapse club

Hi all from France.
I am fond of Steinberger for ages.
Last week-end I found a Synapse XS 1FPA 4 strings and below are some pics for a comparison between the Synapse and the Hohner B2, copy of XL Steinberger bass.
The Hohner on the left, the Steinberger on the right
logos.jpg

les basses.jpg

dos.jpg

micros.jpg

potards.jpg

cordiers.jpg

mécaniques.jpg

sillets.jpg

béquilles.jpg

The Synapse weights more than the Hohner.
The Hohner B2 is more known in active B2A version. Here it is the passive. The B2A needs a 9V battery.
The Synapse is active as well and requires 2 9V batteries.
They are behind the square black plate on the back.
I don't know yet how long those batteries are lasting, hoping I don't need to change them too regularly as the Synapse has no swith to switch the active circuit off.
The leg rest is exactly the same piece on the both basses.
 
Last edited:
Hi all from France.
I am fond of Steinberger for ages.
Last week-end I found a Synapse XS 1FPA 4 strings and below are some pics for a comparison between the Synapse and the Hohner B2, copy of XL Steinberger bass.
The Hohner on the left, the Steinberger on the right
View attachment 4196757
View attachment 4196761
View attachment 4196767
View attachment 4196768
View attachment 4196770
View attachment 4196771
View attachment 4196773
View attachment 4196774
View attachment 4196776
Sweet! I changed to a Synapse 5 after using a Spirit 4, and there's clearly an improvement in build, and sound quality.
 
I don't know yet how long those batteries are lasting, hoping I don't need to change them too regularly as the Synapse has no swith to switch the active circuit off.

The battery life is good. Note that the circuit is only connected when a cable is plugged in. When the Ring and Sleeve of a TRS jack (TRS is a stereo cable) are connected, it connects the battery so all TS cables (standard instrument cables) complete the circuit. I always make sure to unplug my active basses whenever I'm not using them to save battery.

Also you can use low self-discharge rechargeable 9V batteries if you find yourself going through a lot of 9v batteries.
 
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
  • Like
Reactions: philippeimac
Sweet! I changed to a Synapse 5 after using a Spirit 4, and there's clearly an improvement in build, and sound quality.

I definitely confirm the Synapse is a professional instrument compare to the Hohner.
The Hohner wasn't bad but the Synapse is far way better: more punchy sound, far wider range of sounds (thanks to the piezo that the Hohner doesn't have)
 
The battery life is good. Note that the circuit is only connected when a cable is plugged in. When the Ring and Sleeve of a TRS jack (TRS is a stereo cable) are connected, it connects the battery so all TS cables (standard instrument cables) complete the circuit.

Thank you for the info: I bought the bass in a second hand shop and got the bass and an empty gig bag from not a Synapse but a Spirit but no manual no instructions at all and so far I couldn't find any scan of the manual to understand that the circuit works only when a cable is plugged in.
 
Thank you for the info: I bought the bass in a second hand shop and got the bass and an empty gig bag from not a Synapse but a Spirit but no manual no instructions at all and so far I couldn't find any scan of the manual to understand that the circuit works only when a cable is plugged in.
That is how pretty much all active pickup (e.g. needs a battery) basses work. The only ones with a switch are those that the pickups can work in passive mode as well.
 
Thank you for the info: I bought the bass in a second hand shop and got the bass and an empty gig bag from not a Synapse but a Spirit but no manual no instructions at all and so far I couldn't find any scan of the manual to understand that the circuit works only when a cable is plugged in.
Hi, I'm trying to attach the Synapse guitar and bass manual, hope it helps
 

Attachments

  • Like
Reactions: philippeimac
Many thanks! that was exactly what I was looking for :)
Did you already find this link on the Steinberger site?

http://www.steinberger.com/Steinberger-User-Manual-and-Documentation-Archive.html

I'm on holiday with my Synapse as I write ... very portable yet full-sized bass with satisfying tone and feel (I just plug in directly to a Tascam handheld recorder & headphones for ultimate portability.)

I recently picked up some D'Addario nylon wounds (single ball end) I'm really keen to try but just need to fix up the headstock adapter as one of the string holders gave out ... a fate your G-string adapter appears to share :(
 
Last edited:
Hi Everyone !
I'm new to the forum, I bought my 2nd-hand Synapse about 1 year ago : white, 4 strings.

Compared to my other basses, I must say I find it pretty difficult to play: sound of fingers on the strings is very much amplified IMHO (even when only EMG pickup is used, no piezo), while general level of the output is pretty low for an active bass.

Because of that, I'm wondering:
- does my playing suck?
- or does my amp suck?
- or does the Synpase's pre-amp suck?
- or all of the above ;-) ?

I'm eager to get your feedback on this: it is only me?
Thanks!
 
Hi,

I got mine few weeks ago and I am still trying to lower the strings: they are stil more than 5 mm from the fingerboard and I would like to get them about 2 mm

Do you have Steinberger's user guide ? It describes how to lower the action of your bass.
5mm from fretboard: at which fret do you measure this?
Given your name, I assume you are French? Les 5mm sont mesurés à quelle frette ?
 
Hi,

I got mine few weeks ago and I am still trying to lower the strings: they are stil more than 5 mm from the fingerboard and I would like to get them about 2 mm
If you need to tighten your truss rod to reduce neck relief, be EXTREMELY careful with your truss rod. Synapses are notorious for breaking them.

If you need to tighten your truss rod to reduce neck relief, use this method - lay the bass face down; support the headpiece end of the neck with a block of wood or a book. Press gently in the center of the neck, just enough to make it flex a few millimeters; hold this pressure while you tighten the truss rod nut until it feels fairly tight. In other words, don't use the truss rod to actually move/bend the neck, use your hands for that. Use the truss rod only to hold the neck relief in place.

It's also a good idea to make sure your truss rod nut is lubricated.

Tightening the truss rod nut while the truss rod is under tension puts a lot more twisting stress on the rod threads.