I didn't have a scale handy but the ones I played (XL2's, to be fair) both felt more than that. Maybe it was just my expectations. I wanted to love them but just didn't.
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Steinberger L2
- Thread starter murph7489
- Start date
I didn't have a scale handy but the ones I played (XL2's, to be fair) both felt more than that. Maybe it was just my expectations. I wanted to love them but just didn't.
Not that I know of, but I don't have personal experience with an L2 or an XP-2. I have only played my Xl-2a which I have heard is a bit of a different animal from the XL-2. It is easily the hottest bass I have ever played.
Another possible Steinberger album is Red Rider's Neruda. That's what Jeff Jones used live in that era, and his live bass tone in videos sounds close enough to the studio sound for me to assume it's a Steinberger. The following album Breaking Curfew might be Steinberger as well.
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Have owned an L2 since ‘91. First saw a Steinberger being played by Benjamin Orr (the Cars) on a show called Friday’s. Was drunk as three bicycles and was blown away by the looks and how it cut thru the mix from a little-bitty tv speaker. Finally bought one, like I said, in ‘91. I gigged with it up until 3 years ago. I still have it and probably 7 or 8 of it’s first cousins, the Spectors. If your wondering why I call a Spector a Steinbergers first cousin it’s because Ned worked for Stu and helped design the Spector body style (that’s why most Spector models start with NS....Ned Steinberger). The Steinberger is unreal. No matter what style music your playing, it cuts right thru the mix with it’s own unique tone & timber. I’d be playing out & folks’d be like “WOW! What kinda bass is that?” Mine has no stenciled “Steinberger” on the front. I’d tell’em. They go “It looks strange. What’s it made out of?” I’d generally be annoyed at their drunk asses and say “Recycled bowling balls.” They’d say “Cool.” and I’d find something else to do.
Bringing an old thread back from the dead...
Has anyone stringed their 4-string L2 BEAD with the LaBella S500L-B set (minus G-string, obviously)? I just bought L2 (serial 1560) and thought I'd throw Thomastik flats on in BEAD tuning, but the headpiece grooves are not wide enough for the 136 (didn't even try the rest of the set), so I guess I'd need a double-ball set?
One love,
Rootz
Has anyone stringed their 4-string L2 BEAD with the LaBella S500L-B set (minus G-string, obviously)? I just bought L2 (serial 1560) and thought I'd throw Thomastik flats on in BEAD tuning, but the headpiece grooves are not wide enough for the 136 (didn't even try the rest of the set), so I guess I'd need a double-ball set?
One love,
Rootz
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I've used the string adapter and found they could be problematic as the strings stretch and settle.
I recommend sticking with double ball. There are a lot more brand options than there used to be. I just put LaBella flats on both my XL2 and XM2 and they sound great.
The B on the 5 string set is .128. Ultimately you may still have to file the nut if you want to use them.
Not too many options of 5-string flats, as far as my google-fu serves.
With L2 you don't need an adapter: the stock headpiece comes with threads & screws for using normal strings (see post #57 on this thread). And as there's no nut but zero fret, do you mean the double-ball B would be too thich to fit in the headpiece grooves? This is exactly what I'm asking for: if I have to file the headpiece, I think I'll file it to fit regular strings as the availability is much better, at least from what I've found online (LaBella is the only 5-string flat double-ball set).
(Severely edited to make more sense.)
One love,
Rootz
With L2 you don't need an adapter: the stock headpiece comes with threads & screws for using normal strings (see post #57 on this thread). And as there's no nut but zero fret, do you mean the double-ball B would be too thich to fit in the headpiece grooves? This is exactly what I'm asking for: if I have to file the headpiece, I think I'll file it to fit regular strings as the availability is much better, at least from what I've found online (LaBella is the only 5-string flat double-ball set).
(Severely edited to make more sense.)
One love,
Rootz
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I'll answer myself: I found an old single-ball GHS flat B, presumably a .129. It did fit in the headpiece without filing but the string retainer screw did not reach the headpiece threads properly (almost stripped the threads!). So, .128 double-ball LaBella should fit there nicely, esp. since the double-ball string tapers towards the top ball. So I'm off to find the best offer on LaBella's in the Eurozone.
One love,
Rootz
One love,
Rootz
Yes I realize this is a very old thread. I am posting here because this group includes very knowlegeable posters and players who actually own a Steinberger L2 bass. And perhaps know the answer to a simple question I can't find the answer to.
I am the original owner of a 1983 L2 purchased at Nadines Music in Los Angeles in 1983. As others have stated here, I played my L2 for a number of years and eventually set it aside in favor of some of my other wooden basses. A few days ago I picked it and found it felt like it had a high action. I haven't touched anything on since the last time I played it some 6 to 8 years ago.
So here's my question: What is/was the factory measured spec for neck relief around the 10th to 12th fret (String pressed at 1st fret and 20th fret). I use the original Steinberger round-wound string gauge spec 045, 060, 080, 105 (Rotosound SDB-606 Superwound). Right now mine is measuring around 0.025" / 0.65mm
Any info is much appreciated
Dave D
I am the original owner of a 1983 L2 purchased at Nadines Music in Los Angeles in 1983. As others have stated here, I played my L2 for a number of years and eventually set it aside in favor of some of my other wooden basses. A few days ago I picked it and found it felt like it had a high action. I haven't touched anything on since the last time I played it some 6 to 8 years ago.
So here's my question: What is/was the factory measured spec for neck relief around the 10th to 12th fret (String pressed at 1st fret and 20th fret). I use the original Steinberger round-wound string gauge spec 045, 060, 080, 105 (Rotosound SDB-606 Superwound). Right now mine is measuring around 0.025" / 0.65mm
Any info is much appreciated
Dave D
