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Steinberger Megathread
- Thread starter A9X
- Start date
I would get a Steinberger, but they're so blasted expensive and no one around here has them so i can never try them.
Yep, and that 65 figure includes all variations, like left-handed and fretless and other colors. Only about 50 of the black right-handed versions were ever made. They weren't made until the last years -- from around '94 or '95 until production of all XLs stopped in '98. They come up for sale once every couple years, and the last one I saw sold for $4500.
Then again, there really isn't any other bass that sounds like one.
There were more of the "narrow" 5-string versions (XL-25) made starting in the late '80s, as well as kits (bridge and nut) that could convert a regular XL to a narrow 5. However, the narrow 5 models had the same neck size (same mold) as the regular XLs, and the string spacing on those is already pretty darn narrow, so putting 5 strings on that same neck made the spacing really, really tight. The XL-5W model had the same string spacing as a regular XL (they made a mold for it that had a wider neck).
- Oct 8, 2007
- 970
- 60
- Disclosures
- Former Part-Time, Non-Commission Employee MOOG Audio
I Have 8 basses and My XL2 (1984 transition model with plug-in leg rest and SS pick-ups) Is the best sounding and best playing bass that I own. i use it in the studio all the time and the tone is always killer. I just about never use it live because I would hate to ever lose it and you always get a jackass in the audience making a crack about the look...
My one beef: the pickups always seem loose and move easily in the body. they also seem to lower themslves. it's become ritual for me to give the pickup screws a few turns every time i pick it up. has anyone found a good solution to keep the pickups held in place more solidly? I was thinking rubber bushings might help. (anyone have pics)
but this is a very minor issue... The XL2 is still the most perfect bass I've ever played and beats my 8 others hands down.
My one beef: the pickups always seem loose and move easily in the body. they also seem to lower themslves. it's become ritual for me to give the pickup screws a few turns every time i pick it up. has anyone found a good solution to keep the pickups held in place more solidly? I was thinking rubber bushings might help. (anyone have pics)
but this is a very minor issue... The XL2 is still the most perfect bass I've ever played and beats my 8 others hands down.
My steinie is finally in!
I had way less money then i thought i had, So i just got a spirit XZ-2 (full bodied one)
Firstly, I am so amazed at how light and small this thing is! My electric geetar body is bigger!
It has great sound to it. The versatility is exceptional. I can get a nice growly tone, And I love that it has a zero fret.
In the future, I'll be putting new pups and new controls. When I have enough I'll be buying another steinie for sure! I love these!
I had way less money then i thought i had, So i just got a spirit XZ-2 (full bodied one)
Firstly, I am so amazed at how light and small this thing is! My electric geetar body is bigger!
It has great sound to it. The versatility is exceptional. I can get a nice growly tone, And I love that it has a zero fret.
In the future, I'll be putting new pups and new controls. When I have enough I'll be buying another steinie for sure! I love these!
+100
The jackglass comments prove what they know.
About that screw:
For pickup mounting screws and 1/4" jack nuts that tend to come loose, I take a toothpick and a very VERY small amount of this:
and put it on the threads and set the screw(s)/nut to where it needs to be. A few hours later, it's fixed. The screws can be turned after it drys but they require a bit more torque(and re-gluing).
Sold an XL2 once.
It shouldn't happen again.
There IS one on eBay the seller bought at about $1750(somehow....seller ended it at a silly time and day = Wednesday during rush hour for a lot of the country!)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270158115495
and is now asking about $2500
http://cgi.ebay.com/1981-STEINBERGE...oryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
I thought that I read the design was finished and in Gibson's hands. Maybe they let it drop as I don't think the Synapses have been big sellers.
I purchased RG's Synapse 5 a few weeks ago. While I'm extremely impressed with it's feel, fit/finish and ergonomics, taming that piezo definately takes some work, and having only the single EMG in the "sweetspot" tends to limit it's versatility. IIRC, the original single pickup Steinbergers didn't go over all that well either. I think the Synapse series would have greater success if they produced it in a two pickup design IMO.
- Frank.
I agree Frank. I was excited about hearing that new Steinberger models were coming out, but the peizo and bridge design as well as the single EMG put me off. Not enough difference to the Hohners and Spirits, even though the pultruded graphite channel is a good idea.
Gibson would be far better to outsource a full graphite design to a specialty composites maker. Status do this and their product has an excellent reputation for quality and fit and finish. Gibson would have better buying power than Rob Green so could even do it at better prices if they chose. I think I'd look to a Status Streamliner or Stealth if I wanted a new full monocoque bass or even a BO with a wood body. The Moses necks the current US Steinberger line use have a fairly poor reputation here, and I'd be reluctant to buy one because of this, esecially as I'm not in the US for any potenetial warranty issues.
Yeah, it really seems that Gibson really doesn't have a clue what to do to compete in the bass market other than relying on the reputations of the pre-Gibson products of the companies they've purchased such as Steinberger & Tobias. Having watched the videos of Ned extolling the virtues of having a single pickup and one-piece piezo saddle, I couldn't help but wonder if he truly believed this or if he was just towing the company line. Don't get me wrong, I'm digging my Synapse... I also purchased a Hohner B2AV headless and in my opinion the construction and overall design of the Synapse is superior, but the Hohner has the edge in terms of the variety of tones that can be coaxed from it. The person I purchased the Hohner from took out the preamp and swapped out the EMG HZs with a set of EMG-J Actives. I'm planning on adding a BTC-System to complete the upgrade. I also added a Synapse strap hook that I purchased from MF.
Recently I've set my sights on a Kubicki Ex Factor Custom so I may have to thin out the herd.
- Frank.
Recently I've set my sights on a Kubicki Ex Factor Custom so I may have to thin out the herd.
- Frank.
I think Ned was being genuine. If he wanted it to have more it wouldn't have affected cost all that much to add a second pickup. Gibson got a lot more than just the company though when it bought Steinberger. They got all the patents which I think they really cared a lot more about than the company itself. I don't believe gibson knew what they were getting into when they tried to manufacture them themselves and just kind-of dropped the ball as they have booming success in other products.
I had a Cheeseburger XP2, also a low 4K SN tha tI got OCtober 25 1986 for my birthday. Loved that bass. No better tone or feel. However, by 1993 (and probably sooner) when I was shopping it around for trade I realized it had a badly bowed neck. A little something Steinberger tricked you into thining could never happen.
I did eventually sell it and later bought a Hohner B2AFL which I liked way more than my XP2 or the XL2 (I chose the XP2 over the Xl2 based on sound and feel). I foolishly sold that.
I then bought a SPirit XZ2 which I got tired of in a month, and bought a Cort B2A which also had a badly bowed neck that was beyond fixing the day I bought it (used).
Earlier this month, a whole 15 years later, I replaced my Hohner B2AFL and it too has a badly bowed neck.
Where I am going with this-- I think the Steinberger design lends itself to badly upbowing necks. There is no change in direction of string pull and I believe that over time this creates huge problems.
Still love the basses though.
I did eventually sell it and later bought a Hohner B2AFL which I liked way more than my XP2 or the XL2 (I chose the XP2 over the Xl2 based on sound and feel). I foolishly sold that.
I then bought a SPirit XZ2 which I got tired of in a month, and bought a Cort B2A which also had a badly bowed neck that was beyond fixing the day I bought it (used).
Earlier this month, a whole 15 years later, I replaced my Hohner B2AFL and it too has a badly bowed neck.
Where I am going with this-- I think the Steinberger design lends itself to badly upbowing necks. There is no change in direction of string pull and I believe that over time this creates huge problems.
Still love the basses though.
Sorry to hear of your issues with them, but it's not an inherent design flaw in the composites. Probably you got one made on a Friday arvo.
As for the Hohner and Cort, I dunno as they're Korean made and timber. It can't be a function of the design of the headless neck as I have an XL2, a Status, a Washburn Status and two Hohners and all are rock solid. My XL2 is from the same era as yours was; very low 4k s/n. The string tension on a composite neck is trivial compared to the youngs modulus of the material and even headless the effective loading of the nut end of the neck won't be substantially different from that of any headed bass.
As for the current Steinberger offerings, I had a Synapse fretless for a while last year and presently have a USA XQ-2A.
Despite being perhaps less flexible with only one magnetic pickup, the Synapse sounded great to me...different tonally than the classic 2 EMG-HB design obviously, but to me it was probably just as pleasing in its own right. The satin finish on that neck and body felt wonderful, even though it felt so light (being so small and not made of composite) that it was almost toy-like. The model I had (which was a B-stock) felt like a fine value at a heavily discounted price, but at around $1,200 new, they seem a little overpriced for what they are. There are an awful lot of other nice options at that price point.
The XQ is a nice bass. Closest you're going to get to the L/XL sound on any current model. 18v electronics have plenty of headroom and sound good to me. Has the advantages of a classic Stein as far as that incredible evenness of tone and volume all over the neck from string to string. Whether the neck will hold up in the long run (the Moses neck controversy) I have no idea, but its first year of life has gone fine and I've never had to touch the truss rod.
Anyway, since many don't seem to have tried the current models, those are my observations for what they're worth!
Despite being perhaps less flexible with only one magnetic pickup, the Synapse sounded great to me...different tonally than the classic 2 EMG-HB design obviously, but to me it was probably just as pleasing in its own right. The satin finish on that neck and body felt wonderful, even though it felt so light (being so small and not made of composite) that it was almost toy-like. The model I had (which was a B-stock) felt like a fine value at a heavily discounted price, but at around $1,200 new, they seem a little overpriced for what they are. There are an awful lot of other nice options at that price point.
The XQ is a nice bass. Closest you're going to get to the L/XL sound on any current model. 18v electronics have plenty of headroom and sound good to me. Has the advantages of a classic Stein as far as that incredible evenness of tone and volume all over the neck from string to string. Whether the neck will hold up in the long run (the Moses neck controversy) I have no idea, but its first year of life has gone fine and I've never had to touch the truss rod.
Anyway, since many don't seem to have tried the current models, those are my observations for what they're worth!
I agree... I do love pretty much everything about the construction of my Synapse. In particular I love both the acoustic sound and feel when I slap the strings. The neck feels solid with a good bounce. Really my only gripe is that I wish it was a two pickup design. I don't dislike the piezo and I wouldn't mind keeping it in addition to a second pickup, it just takes a bit of EQing to tame the "click" that tends to accompany it.
- Frank.
Just a note for the headless fanatics here . . .
I played my '88 Steinberger XL-2 on a few songs while sitting in on a friend's gig on Friday night. It's been years since I played it live, and I wanted to hear how it sounds in the mix and how it does live again.
First off, it's a conspicuous bass. You can't just sneak up on stage and sit in for a few songs unnoticed. Even the other folks in the band kept looking at it.
Secondly, it played like a dream (I still love the perfect balance, almost 20 years later), and sounded great. I thought of the comment made by Hoover:
LOL. It was a fun experience. I'm not sure when I'll break it out next, but it sure did sound good.
I played my '88 Steinberger XL-2 on a few songs while sitting in on a friend's gig on Friday night. It's been years since I played it live, and I wanted to hear how it sounds in the mix and how it does live again.
First off, it's a conspicuous bass. You can't just sneak up on stage and sit in for a few songs unnoticed. Even the other folks in the band kept looking at it.
Secondly, it played like a dream (I still love the perfect balance, almost 20 years later), and sounded great. I thought of the comment made by Hoover:
LOL. It was a fun experience. I'm not sure when I'll break it out next, but it sure did sound good.
