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Steinberger advice

M

Marcus Johnson

Nov 28, 2001
8,533
96
Maui
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#1
Hi slabbers, I'm mostly down in the DB forums, but I thought I'd ask for advice. I have a 1985 Steinberger XL2-5A with a low B string. It's one of the early fives, with the close string spacing and the EMGs. It's in good shape cosmetically, but it has some electronic issues. It needs a new battery harness, and possibly has some issues in the circuitry. It's also been professionally defretted, with white lines inlaid in the fret slots. As a fretless, it's frightening... mwah for days. I'd like to get it rehabbed and ultimately sell it. Do you guys have any recommendations for someone who can get this thing up and running, or parts availability?
I know there's someone out there who could put this thing to good use.

Thanks y'all.
 
#2
Track down Peekamoose in NYC if you want it done right...I know a guy who needed a head-to-toe on an XL-2 he bought on eBay and was thrilled with the bass as it was returned.
He was not, however, thrilled with the bill.:hmm:
Alternately, if the problems are largely confined to the electronics, why not get a new board, battery lead and pots installed or DIY?
 
#8
Marcus Johnson said:
Thanks so much, that was just what I was looking for. You guys are awesome. Hopefully I can find someone looking for some vintage carbon fiber when I fix it up.
Click to expand...

That's a pretty rare one you've got. 5-string Steinberger L-series basses are rare as it is. Fretless 5-string Steinbergers almost NEVER show up -- I can't remember the last time I saw one for sale. After you get it fixed up, post a message on the Steinberger forum announcing your sale on ebay; that may help to draw bidders for what could bring some pretty good money.
 
#10
JimmyM said:
I can't stand that term "slab." It's very condescending. Show some f-ing respect!
:crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying:
Click to expand...
C'mon, Jimmy, you know me from the DB forums, so you must know it's not meant that way. I've earned my living on "slabs" and "doghouses" for almost four decades now, and I have nothing but the utmost respect for anyone that plays this low down s**t, regardless of the medium or the nickname. Just trying to get some info from guys who play the little bass more than I do at the moment.

Hey... just remembered that we've both done time with Bowser and the Stingrays....
 
#11
BartmanPDX said:
That's a pretty rare one you've got. 5-string Steinberger L-series basses are rare as it is. Fretless 5-string Steinbergers almost NEVER show up -- I can't remember the last time I saw one for sale. After you get it fixed up, post a message on the Steinberger forum announcing your sale on ebay; that may help to draw bidders for what could bring some pretty good money.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Bartman... I was kind of wondering if my having it defretted after the fact would diminish its value. In looking at the Steinberger serial number listing, it seems that a lot of them were altered in one way or another over the course of their lifetimes.
 
#12
Yes, we've both done time with Bowzer, but I still do so I'm pissed ;)

BTW, I was just yanking your chain. I thought the crying smileys would demonstrate it. Sorry.

On the other hand, I do dislike the term "slab." It's really meant to be an insult.
 
#13
Marcus Johnson said:
Thanks, Bartman... I was kind of wondering if my having it defretted after the fact would diminish its value. In looking at the Steinberger serial number listing, it seems that a lot of them were altered in one way or another over the course of their lifetimes.
Click to expand...


Well, some of them get collected, others get played. Fact is, they haven't been made since '98, and there's nothing else like them in terms of construction -- the dense composite material. At this point, any 5-string L-series Steinberger that's in great shape, even if it's been modded, is going to have some pretty good value. That's particularly true if the mods done make sense.

The dense composition no doubt makes for an amazing fretless since it resonates so much.
 
#14
JimmyM said:
Yes, we've both done time with Bowzer, but I still do so I'm pissed ;)
Click to expand...
One time, I was doing a run of eight gigs with John while my wife was very pregnant, and he said to her "Try and hold out 'til we're done, I need Marcus!". My wife said "I'll do what I can", and he replied "Just cross your legs, honey". My wife laughed and said "I don't think it works that way!" She gave birth the night after our last gig.
 
#15
Marcus, people will see that story and laugh and think Jon was joking around, but I can assure you he was dead serious. You can never put the show in jeopardy. Your baby is unimportant compared to his show. If you would have left, he would have said, "Well what are they going to do to her that you need to be there for?"

Which is why I love the guy!
 
#16
Please say hi to him for me and all the Maui guys.

I remember some of the "Stingrays" (Anthony maybe, did I hear he passed away?) talking about the brutal itineraries they had. Jon would book them all over the damn place, and then throw in a one nighter out here right in the middle of it all.

Wow, I've really derailed my own thread!
 
#17
Anthony better not have passed away! He's got a podcast to host with me! No, it was Leon who passed away.

BTW, things on the Bowzer front are somewhat less hectic now. Jon seems to not want to work as much as he used to and he sticks to his price pretty hard nowadays. So there's not as much of that goofy stuff going on.
 

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