• 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.

Steinberger Club

IMG_20190207_153535065.jpg
 
Pretty cool to see there’s two different threads of “Steinberger” and “Headless” clubs. Don’t recall ever posting here as I’ve skimmed through some of the pages, so I figured why not post on this one with my beloved Spirit Bass with EMG HB Pickups and a BTC Preamp. It made my original Spirit sound from a honky woody thin tone to a PUNCHY ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE FACE FULLNESS!! Definitely worth the upgrade for anyone that’s looking into it for their XT styled Spirits. With the added Active pickups and Pre, It definitely gets pretty close to the classic Steinberger sound to my ears IMO. I’ve had experienced playing through an 88 XM2 at a music shop in Ventura, CA and also stopped by a guys house that’s selling his XL2 with a Tremolo bridge from Reverb. A nice guy at that too for allowing me to jam out on his bass as well as his other non steinberger basses. Extremely Rare Steinberger Trans Trim XL-2 1986 White
3CD80C97-D08A-40A1-B2C3-B7E38CBD5354.jpeg


Recently bought another Spirit Bass in sunburst where I’ll be adding Bartolini Passive pickups on it while deciding on a good Bartolini preamp for it :nailbiting:

177A0A48-0206-4FFB-BFF0-96A2F4265171.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Pretty cool to see there’s two different threads of “Steinberger” and “Headless” clubs. Don’t recall ever posting here as I’ve skimmed through some of the pages, so I figured why not post on this one with my beloved Spirit Bass with EMG HB Pickups and a BTC Preamp. It made my original Spirit sound from a honky woody thin tone to a PUNCHY ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE FACE FULLNESS!! Definitely worth the upgrade for anyone that’s looking into it for their XT styled Spirits. With the added Active pickups and Pre, It definitely gets pretty close to the classic Steinberger sound to my ears IMO. I’ve had experienced playing through an 88 XM2 at a music shop in Ventura, CA and also stopped by a guys house that’s selling his XL2 with a Tremolo bridge from Reverb. A nice guy at that too for allowing me to jam out on his bass as well as his other non steinberger basses. Extremely Rare Steinberger Trans Trim XL-2 1986 WhiteView attachment 3422988

Recently bought another Spirit Bass in sunburst where I’ll be adding Bartolini Passive pickups on it while deciding on a good Bartolini preamp for it :nailbiting:

View attachment 3422989
I did the same pimping on a XT25 but with none of a difference, may 'twas because the bass sounded wobbly unplugged already ... then i've got me Tthe L5 and went from hell to heaven. I think the Q-Spirits have a better base concept than the XTs.
 
I did the same pimping on a XT25 but with none of a difference, may 'twas because the bass sounded wobbly unplugged already ... then i've got me Tthe L5 and went from hell to heaven. I think the Q-Spirits have a better base concept than the XTs.

Perhaps going the Bartolini route would help with the XT body styled basses. Here’s a comparison video of the bartolini and the Select EMG stock pups.

 
Perhaps going the Bartolini route would help with the XT body styled basses. Here’s a comparison video of the bartolini and the Select EMG stock pups.


Commented by my f.o.h. guy, the bass sound went noticeable weaker when changing from my exquisite Streamer 5 to the XT25, and that didn't change when pimped ... everybody's been attracted by the headless style but we weren't very glad with it in the end. Same at home while practicing: i heard (almost) no difference after the rather costly pimp. Then by chance i got me the L5 for low and with the first tone i played onstage, the tech lifted his eyebrows and wondered on the complete different signal he's got to deal with. When asking me what the heck went on, i explained and i'll never forget his smile then. Of course everybody tends to count on a new bass, making it even "newer" must be the absolute then ... 'til the moment you become steinbergered: there's really nothing to compare with, no EMGs nor Bartolinis can come close on a much cheaper base, -that's what all XTs finally are. Ok when you're happy with, i was not.
Lsticker.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: AstralBirth
Welp, I did it. It even fits inside my NS Design bag!!! I mean not that I was doubting it but still really cool to witness this in person!! Any idea how I can fix that scratch that’s on the bass to make it look clean? That’s my only gripe about it when I bought it at a reasonable offer. Original owner looked like he didn’t take care of the bass strings cause it’s looking a bit rusted, especially on the D string which was hard to tune cause the ball end wouldn’t stop popping out as I try to tune in D. Any advice helps!

C7A029F0-2215-49A9-B663-4539110341CE.jpeg
D9F08FC4-1595-4479-9CBC-D2C3CC268527.jpeg
25A8CF31-D56E-49B5-9FA1-9EEE0A497684.jpeg
BFDEDD23-4298-4FD9-B47B-BD3B2E8D9CB2.jpeg
13ACB2D2-298B-4F28-87A4-6EDBCA499E21.jpeg
00E31E31-810F-4655-B346-D4AE27DAAA94.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • 3AE37F73-6AD6-4DE0-868B-F022FD8C81D4.jpeg
    3AE37F73-6AD6-4DE0-868B-F022FD8C81D4.jpeg
    658.9 KB · Views: 47
  • 1BC0C629-75A9-4A87-AD28-A44FF0398707.jpeg
    1BC0C629-75A9-4A87-AD28-A44FF0398707.jpeg
    742.3 KB · Views: 42
The D string saddle shouldnt be that far out. Try loosening the set screw holding the knurled tuner head on, make sure its screwed all the way onto the screw shaft and re-tighten. Might be missing some washers too.

I’m having trouble doing it myself, it feels very tight when trying to loosen the screw to the point of stripping. I’ll take it into a guitar tech and I will also ask about the scratch if that can be taken care of easily.
 
Last edited:
Welp, I did it. It even fits inside my NS Design bag!!! I mean not that I was doubting it but still really cool to witness this in person!! Any idea how I can fix that scratch that’s on the bass to make it look clean? That’s my only gripe about it when I bought it at a reasonable offer. Original owner looked like he didn’t take care of the bass strings cause it’s looking a bit rusted, especially on the D string which was hard to tune cause the ball end wouldn’t stop popping out as I try to tune in D. Any advice helps!

View attachment 3446143 View attachment 3446145 View attachment 3446147 View attachment 3446148 View attachment 3446149 View attachment 3446150
Sweet! I miss my XM2A.
 
Sweet! I miss my XM2A.

I was honestly close to returning it to the buyer cause of the D tuner fiasco but I was able to fix it myself no problem after taking it in to a luthier. I borrowed one of the string adaptors from my spirit to fit single strings on the XM-2 to play since the strings that were on them were rusted and the D string wasn’t fully in tune. My fingers had quite the strenuous workout trying to turn the knob in tune but it was worth it. Plays like a beauty with GHS Roundcore Boomers and with the HazLabs pre to compliment that mid range tone!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: HeavyDuty
I was honestly close to returning it to the buyer cause of the D tuner fiasco but I was able to fix it myself no problem after taking it in to a luthier. I borrowed one of the string adaptors from my spirit to fit single strings on the XM-2 to play since the strings that were on them were rusted and the D string wasn’t fully in tune. My fingers had quite the strenuous workout trying to turn the knob in tune but it was worth it. Plays like a beauty with GHS Roundcore Boomers and with the HazLabs pre to compliment that mid range tone!!
I always disassemble my Steinberger tuners and grease the bearing surfaces between the knob, washer and bridge body. It helps!
 
ABD766F2-01A0-44A5-8814-5626D780F78A.jpeg
47C7B168-A4A8-47B1-B5F2-CFF03812EFA6.jpeg
NBD!
Just bought this Spirit XT-2DB from Thomann.
I spend two nights per week away on business and thought it would make a good travel bass. (I have Blackstar Fly amp too).
Feels quite strange compared to my Jazz Bass but I like it. Plays well out of the box and sounds good too, but it’s quieter than my (passive) JB.
Anyone know what pick-up heights should be? And the adjusting screw on the drop-tuner is loose!
All in all though, a great little bass for the money.