Steinberger Megathread

[uglybassplayer]

We played a Senior High Youth Retreat this past weekend and I brought both the Synapse and the Kubicki Ex Factor I recently purchased. The Steinie held it's own, but holy crap was I blown away once I plugged in the Kubicki!!! It kicked things up to a whole new level! It had a deep, fat yet punchy "in your face" sound that I haven't been able to achieve from any of my other basses.

- Frank.

 

[A9X]

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'm used to looking like a dweeb, so it doesn't bother me. 'Bout time the bass player gets noticed.

We played a Senior High Youth Retreat this past weekend and I brought both the Synapse and the Kubicki Ex Factor I recently purchased. The Steinie held it's own, but holy crap was I blown away once I plugged in the Kubicki!!! It kicked things up to a whole new level! It had a deep, fat yet punchy "in your face" sound that I haven't been able to achieve from any of my other basses.

- Frank.

It's good I have both then.

 

[BartmanPDX]

I'm used to looking like a dweeb, so it doesn't bother me. 'Bout time the bass player gets noticed.

Yeah. The funny part is that I usually bring along a Sadowsky, which would really garner attention from the folks on TB but never draws a single comment from the non-bassists. I guess it just looks enough like a Fender that no one notices, which is fine by me.

LOL. The guy I was subbing for on the songs was playing a Ritter, which got far less attention than my XL-2.

It was killer playing the XL-2 though. Such a fantastic tone.

PS the guy at the big corporate dinner I got dragged to on Saturday was playing a gorgeous red Ex-Factor. Great looking bass, but his tone sucked. Might have been his sad excuse for an amp. They usually sound really good.

 

[flakeh]

I'm having an annoying problem with my spirit. It can't hold a tune worth poop. I'll tune it then 20 minutes later its way out. Could this be a neck problem? maybe bunk tuners? shatty strings? This is really getting annoying...

 

[lowrez]

I'm having an annoying problem with my spirit. It can't hold a tune worth poop. I'll tune it then 20 minutes later its way out. Could this be a neck problem? maybe bunk tuners? shatty strings? This is really getting annoying...

I'd look at the strings first. The tuning systems are usually pretty bullet-proof. This happens to me when I put new strings on, at least till I get them broken in. If it is going flat on you, that would be where I would start. If you look at the tuners though, it is a really simple straight forward system, and any issue with them should be almost obvious.

 

[A9X]

Yeah. The funny part is that I usually bring along a Sadowsky, which would really garner attention from the folks on TB but never draws a single comment from the non-bassists. I guess it just looks enough like a Fender that no one notices, which is fine by me.

LOL. The guy I was subbing for on the songs was playing a Ritter, which got far less attention than my XL-2.

It was killer playing the XL-2 though. Such a fantastic tone.

Anything that looks Fenderish is like so generic. /valley girl voice.

I'm having an annoying problem with my spirit. It can't hold a tune worth poop. I'll tune it then 20 minutes later its way out. Could this be a neck problem? maybe bunk tuners? shatty strings? This is really getting annoying...

Strings would be my first guess if the tuners are working OK.

 

[BartmanPDX]

I'm having an annoying problem with my spirit. It can't hold a tune worth poop. I'll tune it then 20 minutes later its way out. Could this be a neck problem? maybe bunk tuners? shatty strings? This is really getting annoying...

Could also be a neck issue. I've literally gone months without needing to tune my XL-2.

 

[SERPENT865]

I bought a XP2 on EBAY from a pawn shop for $400. The next day some dude emailed me giving me with this story of how his late girl friend had pawned it and wanted to buy it for less than what i payed. NOT. Anyway I have always liked Steinbergers and for $400 sorry for dudes luck.

 

[A9X]

I bought a XP2 on EBAY from a pawn shop for $400. The next day some dude emailed me giving me with this story of how his late girl friend had pawned it and wanted to buy it for less than what i payed. NOT. Anyway I have always liked Steinbergers and for $400 sorry for dudes luck.

Great price, and he could have been scamming you.

 

[shriekback]

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.

I too have an '84 transition XL2 (#2126). I think it is the best all around Steinberger. It has the improved aesthetics of the XL2 (faceplate mounted from the rear, engraved logo, etc.) with the warmer SS pickups and machined hardware from the L2. I also prefer the plug-in leg rest--cooler looking and more comfortable.

I solved the pickup issue very simply. I wedged one of the little pull tabs from a VHS tape (the thing you pull off so that you won't accidentally record over it) between the pickup and the body. It is small and black, and therefore invisible, and has stayed put for years. Thinking of it now, I should make a little stash of those things, just in case one does someday fall out. VHS tapes are soon to be non-existent, but I will own my Steinberger the rest of my life.

 

[shriekback]

We played a Senior High Youth Retreat this past weekend and I brought both the Synapse and the Kubicki Ex Factor I recently purchased. The Steinie held it's own, but holy crap was I blown away once I plugged in the Kubicki!!! It kicked things up to a whole new level! It had a deep, fat yet punchy "in your face" sound that I haven't been able to achieve from any of my other basses.

- Frank.

I'm with you Frank.

My two basses are a Steinberger XL2 and a Kubicki Factor 4 fretless. I wouldn't part with my Steinberger for anything (all-around the best bass ever made, I think), but for tone, the Kubicki can't be beat. If yours is a Fender made Ex-Factor with the 9v. electronics, do yourself a favor and have Phil Kubicki put his 18v. preamp in it. The stock Fender-made instruments sound really, really good, but the genuine Kubicki electronics are truly stunning.

 

[shriekback]

I've heard Steinbergers played and they sound pretty nice and they're supposedly uber-light, but i would never, ever buy one. Sorry, but those things look U-G-L-Y, lol. A headstock is like a bass makers signature, just by looking at it you can tell the company or individual who made and sometimes even the bass itself.so, yea...
/rant off

The Steinberger may be ugly to some people's eyes, but how many other basses are in the collections of several museums of modern art? I don't know for sure, but my guess would be none.

I often will put my XL2 in its original folding wire stand next to my Eames LCW chair (the iconic molded plywood chair that has become almost synonymous with modern design) because they each look even more beautiful together.

 

[uglybassplayer]

I'm with you Frank.

My two basses are a Steinberger XL2 and a Kubicki Factor 4 fretless. I wouldn't part with my Steinberger for anything (all-around the best bass ever made, I think), but for tone, the Kubicki can't be beat. If yours is a Fender made Ex-Factor with the 9v. electronics, do yourself a favor and have Phil Kubicki put his 18v. preamp in it. The stock Fender-made instruments sound really, really good, but the genuine Kubicki electronics are truly stunning.

My Ex-Factor is a post Fender model built by Phil in 2002 and has the 18v preamp. It's one of the rare custom models (mine has a quilted maple top). From what I understand, Phil has only made about 35 or so Factors with exotic tops to date.

Here's a pic:
Link Removed

 

[flakeh]

I'd look at the strings first. The tuning systems are usually pretty bullet-proof. This happens to me when I put new strings on, at least till I get them broken in. If it is going flat on you, that would be where I would start. If you look at the tuners though, it is a really simple straight forward system, and any issue with them should be almost obvious.

I've replaced the strings numerous times, and I still get the same problem. I'm thinking neck issues. The tuners are bullet-proof, but I don't wanna rule them out.

 

[shriekback]

My Ex-Factor is a post Fender model built by Phil in 2002 and has the 18v preamp. It's one of the rare custom models (mine has a quilted maple top). From what I understand, Phil has only made about 35 or so Factors with exotic tops to date.

Judging by your username, you must be trying compensate with the beauty of your bass. I didn't mean to divert attention from Steinbergers in a thread devoted to them, but I am glad you posted a pic of that truly nice Ex-Factor. I have lusted after the redwood topped Ex-Factors on his site since Phil posted them. He is finally asking for them what they are worth, however.

I just recently bought a mint midnight-blue pearl fretless Factor 4 (34" scale and no string low D-E string clamp). It was one of the first few assembled by Fender but has been gone over by Phil and is at least as nice as the post-Fender Ex-Factor I used to have.

I really wanted a Steinberger fretless but gave up for trying. I am glad I did. the Kubicki tone really helps the fretless to sound more articulate. I am sure that a fretless L2 or XL2 would sound great too, but I have been told by several players that the radius of the Kubicki fingerboard helps with fretless intonation. That is still a work in progress for me, so I can't vouch for that claim personally.

Any Steinberger fretless players here? I noticed that TT equipped black XM fretless with the synth pickup pictured earlier in the thread. Some crazy bendy sounds must come out of that one!

 

[Hoover]

I've literally gone months without needing to tune my XL-2.

+1
I pulled my L-2 out of the case for the first time in about 14 months just to take the pics that I posted on TB recently, and it was perfectly in tune, right at A440.

 

[David Cardoza]

I've been gigging with my white XM2 since I bought it in 85. This by far my favorite piece of my bass collection. This one was the first I owned with a "perfect" neck... perfect in feel, but also in note consistency. An absolute pleasure to play.

I don't necessarily care for a headless design in general, but the overall design and construction of this bass is phenomenal (this one's a graphite neck, but maple body). I have always been a stickler for tuning and intonation, and with the graphite neck, this thing stays amazingly in tune through everything... gigs, travelling... hell, you could leave this baby in the sun for a week and it wouldn't budge.

The amplified sound of this thing comes accross as slightly compressed... I've had players approach me, surprised that I wasn't using any external compression. But I've heard this about all Steinberger basses in general. That compression, coupled with it's overall active tone, punch this bass through the mix.. it's always cut through, in any style of music.

This one's a definite keeper. Mine's exactly like the pic here.

Dave

 

[chakah]

I've got the Hohner licensed copy - the B2A model.
But I do want to get a Steinberger model eventually.
Love it cause it's lightweight, plays like a champ, chicks dig it and fits in the trunk of my miata. also can get my 4x10 in the front as my passenger. But that leaves no room for groupies after the show.

 

[AdmiralB]

I have a pair of the new XQ-2A's. They're definitely nice basses...lots of clarity and definition and the Moses graphite necks on these have a less chunky profile than the originals.

Me too. I'm 95% a guitar player, and have a couple of the Yo GMs...I picked up two of the XQs when they had them, one with the DB bridge and one without.

LOVE the basses, but don't like the DB bridge - the lever is exactly where my palm wants to sit when I use a pick (which is admittedly not often).

The DB is gonna go, the regular stays. Where else do you find a full-size bass that weighs less than...and is almost the same length as...a guitar?

 

[lowrez]

I've got the Hohner licensed copy - the B2A model.
But I do want to get a Steinberger model eventually.
Love it cause it's lightweight, plays like a champ, chicks dig it and fits in the trunk of my miata. also can get my 4x10 in the front as my passenger. But that leaves no room for groupies after the show.

I don't know if you would call them light. My XL2-A Weighs in at 8.4 lbs, that is pretty heavy for its size. But, it balances well.