So, about Steinbergers

[pbass2]

I've been playing with this dub/reggae outfit, and I usually use one of me P's with flats, and whatever is in the backline. Of course, this works fine. But in the interest of having even a SMALLER parcel to travel with(call me lazy), I started thinking, "hmmm . .Steinberger?"
I know Robbie has used one, and I recall seeing UB40 way back in the day and the guy playing one was massive sounding. I'm sure they are solid and will be suitable, but what about the new, one-pickup models I've seen in ads? Anybody own one of these? That single PU makes it look even more appealing to me

 

[macmrkt]

There are posts about Steinberger Synapses...but after owning 20 years of the original, then getting the Synapse...they are different, but the Synapse is a fine bass. I had to get a few to get a 'good' one, and you might need to change strings right away and roll off treble to get your sound, but they are a good deal. Also check out the US made ones at musicyo.com - very fine (but not super small bodied).

 

[Parabolic Box]

There are other companies that make small, headless basses as well, such as Status Graphite.

 

[BassieMike]

I play in the same genre and have been playing a Sadowsky Jazz 5 with flats. Late last year I picked an early Steiny N2 4 string. I miss the Lo B, but otherwise it fits the bill for a reggae machine. I roll back the bridge pup, roll off the tone all the way and it's FAT.

 

[BurningSkies]

Robbie sold his Steinberger and swore them off when it fell apart on the road and he couldn't get parts or an easy repair.

 

[bassrique]

Steinberger Synapses

Aren't those single piece bridge saddles a problem for proper intonation?

musicyo.com

I've had my eye on a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] for some time now but I keep reading about QC problems. They seem top be hit or miss. Since they are only sold direct, one can't go to a store and find "a good one".

 

[macmrkt]

My intonation was close enough to make it. The XQ25A had a bum 'B' string and needed setup, but the fit and finish were very nice.

 

[foal30]

you can't go wrong with a L2 Steinberger.
finding one might be a trick however.

I use a P with flats too but if it's a "one bass only slot" I take the Steinberger because it is so reliable. I've had the input jack replaced on it, not bad for a 25 year old bass I reckon.

 

[pbass2]

Robbie sold his Steinberger and swore them off when it fell apart on the road and he couldn't get parts or an easy repair.

That's enough of a deterrent for me right there I guess. But if it really was an indestructable, silly portable dub machine, I'd be really up for it. I was wondering about those Synapse bridges too--I thought that looked odd. Hmmm . . .
Well, back in the 80's I had this weird Yamaha headless that was like an asymmetrical, poor-man's Steinie. I can't recall really if I liked the feel of such a small axe. I should consider that. I'm actually a small dude, but I love my US Glaub with the 1.75" neck and like to feel that mass on my belly

 

[Fender32]

you can't go wrong with a L2 Steinberger.
finding one might be a trick however.

I use a P with flats too but if it's a "one bass only slot" I take the Steinberger because it is so reliable. I've had the input jack replaced on it, not bad for a 25 year old bass I reckon.

There's one here, if anyone's interested :

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[foal30]

Nice link.
with leg rest too which is a bonus.

how do you break a Steinberger or have it fall apart?
it seems like either total disregard of basic ownership "rules" or malicious damage.

 

[kjpollo]

I had one of the ones Bill Wyman used on his final Stones tour (Steel Wheels). I think it was an "M" series-I had the white one with black binding, a vaguely strat shaped wood body and the composite neck.
I LOVED it-I had no intonation problems at all, once it was tuned, it stayed tuned and I found I could pull a pretty wide variety of tones from it including a passable "ric" tone.
The neck is perfectly stable. At one point, I was living in a house with, well, lets just say "temperature issues". I also had a Jazz at the same time and EVERY time I picked up the Jazz, it was out of tune-it was so sensitive to temp changes it drove me crazy. But not so with the Steinberger, I rarely needed to re-tune it no matter how much the temp varied during the day.
It was confortable, pretty lightweight and easy to work with.
Sometimes I wonder why I ever sold it.....

I never tried the dub-type sound though so I cant vouch for that.
But dang! This gave me GAS!!!

 

[danomar]

There's one here, if anyone's interested :

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That's definitely an L2 and, if nothing is wrong with it, a decent deal for £1500. One sold on eBay a few weeks ago for US$2500 in like-new condition.

One thing that sets Steinbergers apart is the bottom end. Nothing I have played comes close to the clear, loud, low tone of the E string. And then there is the sustain....