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Steinberger Club
- Thread starter king_xanadu
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Yes indeed.
The Steinberger branded pickups on your Spirit are most probably Select by EMG.
I dropped HBs into a Hohner ( same bass as the XT, different badge) and made a startling discovery...it wasn't really any better.
Different, a bit brighter, and acually a little less low end.
The reason is twofold. One is , the selects are designed or picked forTHAT bass to try compensate for the second reason:
...the lack of mass, and the hard maple body material in an XT is the reason it sounds thin, not the pickups.
A real XL or L weighs between 9 and 10 pounds usually ( though i've had both lighter and heavier ones) - its made of graphite which has a lot of mass.
That with the HBs, which again, were designed specifically for THAT bass, made the tone.
My heartfelt advice would be to put aside the 150-odd bucks a set of HBs will cost and save it up for a graphite necked, or total graphite Steinberger. HBs are not going to make that bass less thin, In fact, they may make it thinner.
The Spirit and Hohner line sound, feel and play NOTHING like the originals.We're not talking Squier VS Fender here - really, this is a whole other story.
They look similar, but that is where it ends. Buying HBs won't cure the sound issue you're having,
hope that helps.
Mick
The Steinberger branded pickups on your Spirit are most probably Select by EMG.
I dropped HBs into a Hohner ( same bass as the XT, different badge) and made a startling discovery...it wasn't really any better.
Different, a bit brighter, and acually a little less low end.
The reason is twofold. One is , the selects are designed or picked forTHAT bass to try compensate for the second reason:
...the lack of mass, and the hard maple body material in an XT is the reason it sounds thin, not the pickups.
A real XL or L weighs between 9 and 10 pounds usually ( though i've had both lighter and heavier ones) - its made of graphite which has a lot of mass.
That with the HBs, which again, were designed specifically for THAT bass, made the tone.
My heartfelt advice would be to put aside the 150-odd bucks a set of HBs will cost and save it up for a graphite necked, or total graphite Steinberger. HBs are not going to make that bass less thin, In fact, they may make it thinner.
The Spirit and Hohner line sound, feel and play NOTHING like the originals.We're not talking Squier VS Fender here - really, this is a whole other story.
They look similar, but that is where it ends. Buying HBs won't cure the sound issue you're having,
hope that helps.
Mick
Since I did not get a number (thanks to not checking in properly) and someone else wants 15 I will take 16. Perhaps it should now read:
0001...Number 11
0002...AphekGreg
0003...WalterBush
0004...Palmann
0005...Gleneg61
0006...bungalowbill
0007...Deepwoods
0008...Bornagnhooligan
0009...pacojas
0010...Rozeg
0011...Stacker
0012...pkstone
0013...Sid fang
0014...rd2rk
0015...ThaRoadWarrior
0016...80jazz
0001...Number 11
0002...AphekGreg
0003...WalterBush
0004...Palmann
0005...Gleneg61
0006...bungalowbill
0007...Deepwoods
0008...Bornagnhooligan
0009...pacojas
0010...Rozeg
0011...Stacker
0012...pkstone
0013...Sid fang
0014...rd2rk
0015...ThaRoadWarrior
0016...80jazz
I've always gassed after the Steinberger bass. Never been in a position financially to own one though. I've been seriously thinking about a Spirit XT-2. I mean, I realize that a $400 knock-off isn't going to be much like the original, but the Spirit may scratch the itch.
Are there some EMG single coils that will fit in one of those without heavy reworking? I have no problem with wiring or electrical, but I'd prefer to not have to get out the router.
I'd also probably want to see if I can fit one of those single-ball adaptive headpieces to it.
Do the bridges "live" for a while before they need repairs/parts? Are parts available for the Spirit?
Any advise, anyone with reasons why I shouldn't pursue this thing?
Jsyk, I'm 52, been playing bass since 1990, and have owned 26 basses so far. (As if any of that crap matters).
Thanks.
Are there some EMG single coils that will fit in one of those without heavy reworking? I have no problem with wiring or electrical, but I'd prefer to not have to get out the router.
I'd also probably want to see if I can fit one of those single-ball adaptive headpieces to it.
Do the bridges "live" for a while before they need repairs/parts? Are parts available for the Spirit?
Any advise, anyone with reasons why I shouldn't pursue this thing?
Jsyk, I'm 52, been playing bass since 1990, and have owned 26 basses so far. (As if any of that crap matters).
Thanks.
Flux wrote:
Are there some EMG single coils that will fit in one of those without heavy reworking? I have no problem with wiring or electrical, but I'd prefer to not have to get out the router.
According to the EMG site, their HB pu's are actually a P style pu in a humbucker sized case. As noted by number11 in response to my query about these (this thread), they're brighter sounding than the Steinberger-branded EMG Selects that come stock on the XT-2, and should go in without routing.
Are there some EMG single coils that will fit in one of those without heavy reworking? I have no problem with wiring or electrical, but I'd prefer to not have to get out the router.
According to the EMG site, their HB pu's are actually a P style pu in a humbucker sized case. As noted by number11 in response to my query about these (this thread), they're brighter sounding than the Steinberger-branded EMG Selects that come stock on the XT-2, and should go in without routing.
So - are the ones you are speaking of active humbuckers, or passive single coils?
I don't think EMG-35s will fit. I will see if I can locate the posts you're speaking of and try to get more info. I suppose if I can wrangle-up the dimensions of the stock pickups (or some stock replacements) my problems will be taken care of and finding new pickups will be an easier chore.
Now, about the bridge. Does it ever require replacing parts? I seem to remember something about keeping the older "real" Steinbergers alive was a hassle due to the lack of replacement parts for the bridge -"claws" and such being difficult to locate (or perhaps overly expensive). Do any of these issues plague the Spirit?
And lastly, is there some sort of headpeice that allows the use of single-ball strings?
Thanks, sorry about the nagging questions. I would just like to know what I'm getting into before I drop $400 bux on something.
Thanks.
That's the page I had already found. So those are active humbuckers on that particular page. Cool.
That's easy enough to use the dimensions in the PDF info file to use the dimensions to learn what else will fit in the Spirit XT-2 pickup routing.
I'll dig around and see what else they have that will fit. I'd really like to see if they have a single coil that will fit.
I love EMG stuff. Used it many times in the past and that whole quick-coonector setup is just thuh bawls.
Setting up a pickup system with two separate outputs (one for each pickup) is what I'm angling towards. A Spirit rigged up like that would be the perfect addition to this ....
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f36/experimental-fully-modular-bass-rig-902681/
I've been thinking of spending a LOT of money to build a headless bass with the same body shape as the XT-2. But just the bridge and headpiece alone cost nearly the same as an entire Spirit XT-2 from Hipshot. I figured by the time the custom headless was done I'd have about $2000.00 in it. Ouch. I didn't know the Spirit was still available unit just yesterday - I had not even tried to look for it (couldn't remember the name of them anyhow). I quite by accident stumbled onto one at Musician's Friend and suddenly I was mega-enthused by the project idea again!
Well, this is lot of crap no-one wants to hear, so I'll move on. I need to research this pickup issue more, as well as the single-ball string headpiece thingy and also dig around to see what I can find out about replacement parts.
Onward ....
(Thanks for the help!)
- Feb 27, 2005
- 3,218
- 125
- Disclosures
- Full disclosure, I'm a certified Fender technician working in a music store that carries Fender, Yamaha, and Ibanez products among others.
Hey Flux! I don't know if their adaptive headpieces fit Spirit basses, but I replaced my XM-2A jaws with the replacements made by these guys:
http://bgstainless.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=4
The link takes you to their wide jaws which are made to fit Spirit and later Steiny basses. The original bridges should be fine for years, but the increased "snap" I got out of my Steinberger after putting the stainless jaws in was worth it. As was the knowledge that I'd never bust a jaw and panic trying to search ebay for a replacement before a gig again
They gave just a bit of exaggeration to the tonal qualities I love in my Steinberger in the first place.Don't know about fitting pickups; lemme know when you find out, I've toyed with the idea of buying a Spirit and putting the original HAZ/EMG electronics in it so I can gig out of town without risking damage or theft of my baby
Hola!!Hey Flux! I don't know if their adaptive headpieces fit Spirit basses, but I replaced my XM-2A jaws with the replacements made by these guys:
http://bgstainless.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=4
The link takes you to their wide jaws which are made to fit Spirit and later Steiny basses. The original bridges should be fine for years, but the increased "snap" I got out of my Steinberger after putting the stainless jaws in was worth it. As was the knowledge that I'd never bust a jaw and panic trying to search ebay for a replacement before a gig again
Don't know about fitting pickups; lemme know when you find out, I've toyed with the idea of buying a Spirit and putting the original HAZ/EMG electronics in it so I can gig out of town without risking damage or theft of my baby
Right on ... thanks for that! I'll check that out ASAP.
After we spoke the other day I learned of these Spirits - they may work well for some of the wierdness I was telling you about (for instance the doubleneck..).
Hey, be sure to check your PMs, I wrote you a day or so ago after I spoke with you at your store.
I showed my wife that pic of you with Ned ... that's classic bru!
Saw your videos too .... oh HELLS yea! Looks like loads of fun! (You guys need a keyboard player? A FREE one? heheh
)Your "baby" is gorgeous, really really great sound as well. So much for the "sterile sound" lies and BS huh? Nice fat sound!
I'll check the link you've provided. Thanks again.
P-bass pickups are single-coil, just split to get the humbucking (no hum) effect.
HB
"Originally known as the EMG-SS, the HB was developed for Steinberger Sound. It is a P-Style Pickup in a guitar humbucking housing. It has exactly the same features and specifications as the current P model. It is recommended for bass guitars with a string width of less than 2 inches. The HB has been replaced with the 35 Extended Series Bass Pickups as a production equivalent."
P
"One of EMGs original designs and our most popular bass pickup model since its introduction in 1979, the P covers a wide sonic palette of classic and modern bass sounds. Because the P utilizes ceramic magnets coupled with short, squat coils, the tone is endowed with high-end articulation, warmth, and incredible low end punch, all with less noise and more signal. Countless pros use it because they find it has a natural presence, powerful lows, punchy midrange, and superior definition. Great for all styles of music. This model is also available with ceramic steel magnets for a smoother high end EQ response."
HB
"Originally known as the EMG-SS, the HB was developed for Steinberger Sound. It is a P-Style Pickup in a guitar humbucking housing. It has exactly the same features and specifications as the current P model. It is recommended for bass guitars with a string width of less than 2 inches. The HB has been replaced with the 35 Extended Series Bass Pickups as a production equivalent."
P
"One of EMGs original designs and our most popular bass pickup model since its introduction in 1979, the P covers a wide sonic palette of classic and modern bass sounds. Because the P utilizes ceramic magnets coupled with short, squat coils, the tone is endowed with high-end articulation, warmth, and incredible low end punch, all with less noise and more signal. Countless pros use it because they find it has a natural presence, powerful lows, punchy midrange, and superior definition. Great for all styles of music. This model is also available with ceramic steel magnets for a smoother high end EQ response."
Yup, agreed. But they're still isted in the "active humbucker" section, which is all I was pointing out. I could have done a better job of wording that though.
Here's the PDF file on those pickups, the coil setup is just like a set of P-bass pickups. I had a set of these before, they work GREAT! But notice how the coils are actually ~swapped~ compared to a Precision bass rigging.
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On a P-bass, the upper one is closest to the neck, on the EMG setup, the lower one is closest to the bridge. Weird, right? And these are active, as well. I think you have to go down to the HZ section (not "HB") before you get into anything passive. I could be wrong.
Here's something weird/cool. Guitar humbuckers will fit the Steinberger bass. Here's the physical dimensions of the EMG humbucking H1 through H4 guitar humbuckers
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They are EXACTLY the same dimensions as the Steinberger bass pickups (1.5" x 2.75" with a 3.08" mounting hole center-to-center span).
So if one were to wnat to get "Franky" on one of these, you could experiment with guitar pickups and perhaps piccolo tunigs/stringings. Yea, I know that guitar pickups are voiced differently, but still, if you have some laying around depending on what oddball ends you are working towards they might just work out.
Thought it was worth mentioning.
So Steinberger pickups are bass windings stuffed into guitar humbuckers cases. Wow.
Invalid Link Removed
They are EXACTLY the same dimensions as the Steinberger bass pickups (1.5" x 2.75" with a 3.08" mounting hole center-to-center span).
So if one were to wnat to get "Franky" on one of these, you could experiment with guitar pickups and perhaps piccolo tunigs/stringings. Yea, I know that guitar pickups are voiced differently, but still, if you have some laying around depending on what oddball ends you are working towards they might just work out.
Thought it was worth mentioning.
So Steinberger pickups are bass windings stuffed into guitar humbuckers cases. Wow.
