Steinberger Spirits

[Nebraska]

Oh, a Spirit thread.

I picked up a white xt25 last summer, current production. Was hard to find.
I really dig the bright sound I get out of those humbuckers and whatever those stocks strings they put on there. To meet sounds pretty metal.

 

[JW56789]

Does anyone know IF the humbucking pickups they use on Spirits are the usual humbucker size, and do they use the same one on the five-strings?

 

[Hot Rats]

Does anyone know IF the humbucking pickups they use on Spirits are the usual humbucker size, and do they use the same one on the five-strings?

I have one from Music-Yo, from years ago, and the pickups are standard humbucker with a bezel. I hope that can help you in some way.

 

[Razman]

Does anyone know IF the humbucking pickups they use on Spirits are the usual humbucker size, and do they use the same one on the five-strings?

I believe a 7 string guitar humbucker will fit in a five string.

 

[Michael Vee]

Maybe the honey? Not sure - outside edges are red and the back is all red.

Sounds like cherryburst to me.

Cherryburst, honeyburst, and fireburst were the translucent color choices. White and black were the solid colors. Here's a link to a 2006 Wayback Machine capture of the MusicYo XZ basses page. Nostalgia time.. the year before I started this thread.

Look at those prices!! The XZ-25 translucents were $270.The least expensive ones were the XZ-2 solids for $230.

 

[Snert]

Here's a link to a 2006 Wayback Machine capture of the MusicYo XZ basses page. Look at those prices!! The XZ-25 translucents were $270 or so.

That was fun. I was interested in the XT25 - $US330.

 

[Razman]

Sounds like cherryburst to me.

Cherryburst, honeyburst, and fireburst were the translucent color choices. White and black were the solid colors. Here's a link to a 2006 Wayback Machine capture of the MusicYo XZ basses page. Nostalgia time.. the year before I started this thread.

Look at those prices!! The XZ-25 translucents were $270.The least expensive ones were the XZ-2 solids for $230.

Wow! I remember their site - cool! With Hohner's bordering on the obscene on Reverb I think if you want one, snatch it up when it's available.

A few years ago there was a blue mini-V at GC (and a 5 string!) that I wanted but I already had my XT-5 - it was a cool looking bass!

Found it:

That's my son, btw.

 

[Michael Vee]

Oh, a Spirit thread.

Yessir, the oldest and the best one. it's been going since 2007!

I really dig the bright sound I get out of those humbuckers and whatever those stocks strings they put on there. To meet sounds pretty metal.

Some people get hung up on the low output - but the stock sound with roundwounds is pretty darn good. I think it's adaptable to a pretty big range of rock, blues and other styles. Metal - sure! Add some kind of Darkglass pedal, say, and you're there!

 

[Razman]

Some people get hung up on the low output - but the stock sound with roundwounds is pretty darn good. I think it's adaptable to a pretty big range of rock, blues and other styles. Metal - sure! Add some kind of Darkglass pedal, say, and you're there!

My main bass is a custom five string taht was given to me by my best friend, who also plays one from the same luthier. It's the sound my band likes the most out of all the basses I've owned/played (except for maybe the Cirrus, but that was a long time ago, and I haven't owned one since, so I'm not sure...) So, whenever I evaluate a bass with them, they look for a lot of the same 'feel' it has and how it sits in our metal band: tight low end but still phat; clear, unmuddied mids, and enough highs to hear octave notes. I like zingy highs and more sustain, but it has enough clarity to cover for sounding a little darker than my (new to me) R bass and plenty of sustain.

So it was somewhat of a surprise to me to hear them say the XZ I just acquired sounds more like it than the last two I brought up to practice (the R bass and a Wolf 7 string). Actually, I was told the Wolf and R bass sound similar to each other. That said, I'm looking forward to more experimentation with the Spirit to see if I can get the clarity I need out of it. Either way I think it's a keeper, and will look for ways to give it some action - despite all the ribbing I get from them about questions on whether I cut the headstock off, is it broken, hopefully I didn't pay to much for it, yadda yadda.

I did notice that it shifts the scale out further left than my custom bass, and I'm getting used to that. And it should be handy when we travel again.

 

[Razman]

Has anyone installed a set of Barts into one? I’m pretty happy overall with the tone as it comes close to my other fiver which is my main axe but I think there’s some room for a little more clarity.

I’ve been waiting almost two weeks for my preamp to get here so maybe that will help (the USPS keeps sending it on cross country trips).

 

[sonojono]

Has anyone installed a set of Barts into one? I’m pretty happy overall with the tone as it comes close to my other fiver which is my main axe but I think there’s some room for a little more clarity.

I’ve been waiting almost two weeks for my preamp to get here so maybe that will help (the USPS keeps sending it on cross country trips).

I’ve had 3 years ago in a Spirit XZ-2. Came out sounding well, kind of dark sounding (even with rounds). Very different compared to the EMGs. I did a comparison on my own spare time and liked the Bartolinis better paired with a Bartolini 2 band preamp. Just wish I had the patience to come up with a schematic to add a passive tone control on the Bartolinis.

Steinberger Spirit Bass with Bartolini Pickups/Preamp Full Spec

 

[Snert]

A few years ago there was a blue mini-V at GC (and a 5 string!) that I wanted but I already had my XT-5 - it was a cool looking bass!

Found it:

I would have bought that in a heartbeat.
I'll soon be looking for a Spirit or Hohner 5.

 

[Razman]

I would have bought that in a heartbeat.
I'll soon be looking for a Spirit or Hohner 5.

I should have traded mine in on it.

 

[Snert]

I should have traded mine in on it.

I sold a near new B2AV years ago for a fraction of what they sell for now. D'oh.

 

[Michael Vee]

Razman, I'm assuming the bass came with reasonably fresh rounds? That would be a good start - if the strings need replacing. With the Selects and the passive tone controls, the only strings that actually sound bright are good ol' stainless rounds.

If you want to go the mod route in addition, you could also try the Invalid Link Removed. They are tremendously clear. If you pair it with the Invalid Link Removed, you can crank in as much bottom or top in as needed. It's much more the traditional Steinberger active tone, which may be more brightness than you're looking for. But it's a very different, more modern voice for a Spirit, if that's what you seek. I have an XZ-2 with that setup - installed myself, was easy - and can definitely recommend it. Probably somewhat less money than going the Bartolini route.

(I'm amazed that EMG's prices have not gone up more than they have the last couple of years!)

Or - you could grab an outboard preamp to boost output and the highs.

 

[Razman]

Razman, I'm assuming the bass came with reasonably fresh rounds? That would be a good start - if the strings need replacing. With the Selects and the passive tone controls, the only strings that actually sound bright are good ol' stainless rounds.

If you want to go the mod route in addition, you could also try the Invalid Link Removed. They are tremendously clear. If you pair it with the Invalid Link Removed, you can crank in as much bottom or top in as needed. It's much more the traditional Steinberger active tone, which may be more brightness than you're looking for. But it's a very different, more modern voice for a Spirit, if that's what you seek. I have an XZ-2 with that setup - installed myself, was easy - and can definitely recommend it. Probably somewhat less money than going the Bartolini route.

(I'm amazed that EMG's prices have not gone up more than they have the last couple of years!)

Or - you could grab an outboard preamp to boost output and the highs.

New strings helped (Status stainless) and my preamp arrived TODAY - finally! I have an obligation this evening and have to leave soon so I may not get to it until later but I may try...

 

[Michael Vee]

I just ordered a Guitar Fuel Tone Monster preamp for it, so yes, an easy mod. The tone monster preamp has a gain adjustment so I'll be able to boost the output to match my other basses.

I had to go back in the thread to get the preamp you will be using. Haven't heard of that one, doing a lookup now. Is this an onboard preamp? That's what their eBay site shows, no pedals.

 

[sonicnuance]

I've always been a fan of double ball end basses, especially Steinbergers. Ned is one of my inspirations.

 

[Snert]

If you want to go the mod route in addition, you could also try the Invalid Link Removed. They are tremendously clear.

They are very good PUs.

I'm amazed that EMG's prices have not gone up more than they have the last couple of years!

Shh!

 

[Razman]

I had to go back in the thread to get the preamp you will be using. Haven't heard of that one, doing a lookup now. Is this an onboard preamp? That's what their eBay site shows, no pedals.

Yes, onboard pre, they are fantastic. I have one in my Douglas 6, my Wolf 7 (both original preamps died) and now this one. They are going up in price a little bit still a great buy for the quality you get.