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Steinberger headless L & XL's -- anyone own one?

#2
I own an L2. The original all-carbon fiber deal. Years ago, when I couldn't afford the real deal, I had bought myself a Washburn Bantam (which I always called "the Washberger"). I suddenly got the curiosty to "compare" the L2 with the Bantam just last night...

The Bantam actually kicked the Steiney's ass!

It's all wood (but painted a high-tech black to look the part). The body is slightly different (not completely symmetrical). The neck is actually a tad chunkier (believe it or not), and the headclamp is positively brilliant, and takes regular strings. It even has a Neutrik locking input jack! The tone is actually more Steinberger than the Steinberger itself, if that's possible. Sounds like you're playing it with a metal hammer. Aggressive? The mere sound of this thing will neuter the family pet.

Where it REALLY shines is in the tuner mechanism. Where the Steiney has only a nylon thrust washer, the "Washberger" has a real honest-to-goodness ball bearing. OMG, this is the finest tuner ever put on a bass, bar none. EFFORTLESS!

There was another headless at the time from "Riverhead" that featured this tuner mechanism. I wish I knew more about it, and if the toolings still exist...man, someone needs to bring this tuner mechanism back!!!

I know this is probably all totally unrelated to your question, but this "this just in" bulletin came to me only last night, so it's fresh in my mind. As for your question; are the Steinbergers any good?

Yeah. Real good. ...But if you EVER have a chance to pick up one of these Washburn Bantams, GRAB IT!!
 

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#3
I have an XL series version (#5173) I bought as a backup to my other basses. It has not seen much use until more recently where I've taken it on airline flights with their newer restrictions.

The fretboard plays well but (for me) not as fast my other basses do and sometimes I wish it had a full sized body. I've never had any problems tweaking in the sound I want from the EMG pickups although I had the battery fail once (my fault, not the bass) with no spare available.

About 5 years ago I was thinking of selling it then visited Paul Allen's Experience Music Project and saw one in his museum. I changed my mind about selling it - not because he owned one but because it made me think about what it represented. It was an early example of how a bass could be made from synthetic components and actually "work". I know...call me strange. :-)
 
#5
I have a few... A GL, an XL2 (5 string narrow) and an XL-2 (4 string in red) I really dig em. I recently stopped playing the red xl2 after seeing a red GL close on ebay recently...sick. So, I am back in the market for a plain ole black one.
 
#8
I have an XL-2 I bought new in 1988.

It's the one bass in my collection that I will never sell. The tone is amazing -- not overly bright like a Modulus, but articulate and clean, with loads of booty. It's a very versatile bass that does most everything well except for slap (narrow spacing). Dial back the tone knob and you can get a fabuolus dub tone.

Even though I mostly play 5ers these days, I still play it about 1/3 of the time, because it plays so well and sounds so great. I just can't seem to put it away for long. It's the only bass I've ever owned that required no maintenance, and almost nothing in the way of setup. Except for two small dings on the back of the neck, and some minor wear, it is in the same condition as when I bought it, despite being my main bass for over 15 years. XLs also make great travel basses. No real worries about damage, and all you need is a good headphone amp for practicing.

The XL-25 "narrow 5" strings must have incredibly narrow spacing. IIRC, the neck and body are the same, so putting 5 strings on that neck and body must make it incredibly tight -- I like narrow spacing, but the spacing on my XL-2 is narrower than any of my 5-strings, and about as narrow as I could stand. Plays really fast, though.

You can pretty much forget about ever finding the "wide 5" XL-5W model. Fewer than 70 total were ever made, in all combinations. Last one I saw sold for $4500 from a dealer with a really bad reputation.
 
#10
drumsnbass said:
Been GASing on maybe getting one of these as I just think they look so cool & would be easy to truck around on trips.

Anyone own one of these (original, not the newer repro's)
and care to share some comments.
Click to expand...
I have an XL2A and it's my main bass. Great tone, stable, comfortable (I have shoulder issues), brilliant piece of engineering and industrial design and just generally a fine all round weapon of a bass. Because of the density of the composite mix, they're not especially light (mines about 9.5lb) which surprises some people. My ony 'dislike' is the neck is a bit thick for my preference, but it's not that big an issue.

Lots of people look at them as a 'travel bass' because of the compact size and that just misses the point.

This is my second after I sold the first one I bought new in the mid 80's when I was broke, but this one will stay for a looooong time.

I also have a pair of licenced Hohner copies, a B2ADB and a B2V.
 
#12
Dharmabass said:
I also have a pair of licenced Hohner copies, a B2ADB and a B2V.
Click to expand...

I have a B2V as well. Nice little bass, but it sounds a little tame by comparison. Mine has two humbuckers (I guess, they're square, not the J-bass pickups like they have now), but it sounds more like a J-bass than a Steiney.

Again, the Washburn, however...just a tone monster, that thing...
 
#13
Basshole said:
I have a B2V as well. Nice little bass, but it sounds a little tame by comparison. Mine has two humbuckers (I guess, they're square, not the J-bass pickups like they have now), but it sounds more like a J-bass than a Steiney.

Again, the Washburn, however...just a tone monster, that thing...
Click to expand...
Agree about the B2V, but mine will get Villexes in EMG40 size which should make a difference. It'll need a small amount of routing. Probably also add a screw attachment for the rear so I can use Ned's new strap system and quick change between the B2V and XL2.
 
#14
BartmanPDX said:
It's the one bass in my collection that I will never sell.
Click to expand...


+1

I have an original L-2 that I got new in 1982. It was my main bass for a dozen years, and it still gets used a lot, especially in the studio. Every time I plug it in I think "man, this is an amazing sounding bass!" and remind myself why I endured years of looking like a complete dweeb with this stupid oar strapped around my chest.
 
#16
Great basses, even the "wooden ones" are useful tools.
We've both here also.
An L got sold in the late 80's to help pay for moving the family to Texas(where the engineering jobs still existed). Almost a decade later, an XL came along at the right time and right place.

You will never play another bass like an L or XL. The balance, in tune forever, and even tone on EVERY fret is unmatched IMO. It does sadden me that the real ones are no longer made and that one was never produced in the shape of a Thunderbird.

DEE's bass
Seen here most likely. The song is on hyperspeed and I get the feeling from certain things noticed that substance may have been abused via the nose by the piano player IMO:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pdvUUf1ysuc

NICE bass owned by an exceptional player.
We've added "Saturday Night's Alright" and "Love Lies Bleeding" to our cover songs recently. :hyper:
 
#20
I had an XL-2 4 string back in 1989. I used that and a Rick 4003 in a RUSH tribute act that played the Washington, DC area called "Kid Gloves". I loved that bass. That Bass and a killer Spector made by Stuart himself got stolen out of a van in DC. I was on my way to a rehearsal when my Boss called and had me make a stop to check on some stuff along the way. I was only gone 10 minutes when some Jackass broke the window and stole my basses. Even though Homeowners gave me over 10 grand for them, I still wish I had them back. I loved that XL-2. The Spector was fast becoming my principal instrument. I hope whoever took my stuff burns in hell with a Pineapple shoved up his ass backwards!
 

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