Well there is that…Yeah they're just passive EMGs which usually sound pretty good. I think the ginormous stack of 24 speakers and that head might have a little to do with it sounding so good too though
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Steinberger Spirits
- Thread starter Michael Vee
- Start date
I was in the shop today and came across my original that I bought from MusicYo (99/2000?) the original pickups had a ton of gigs on them with string grind marks from the G-B 
good times!
For me, this was the inspiration and the one that started me down the path of many headless and eventually modding and then building my own. I eventually routed for DC40s and laser cut the black pickup bezels and etched over the Spirit… then carved a new body. Last year it got another new body and then started building, 2 from scratch…
good times!For me, this was the inspiration and the one that started me down the path of many headless and eventually modding and then building my own. I eventually routed for DC40s and laser cut the black pickup bezels and etched over the Spirit… then carved a new body. Last year it got another new body and then started building, 2 from scratch…
Stock pickups don't sound badm but they don't have a very high output. Not near the problem with modern amps.
Barticus gets the award for the most modded Spirit in this thread! You have to admit that the honeyburst finish is so pretty for these "budget" basses.
I agree with lug. There is nothing wrong with the EMG selects at all. They do have a less brilliant tone, less hi-fi, but it works very well. They are perfectly fine, other than the low output. We've seen several approaches in this thread to dealing with the relatively low output. Active electronics, preamp pedals, and using them with the passive bass inputs/passive selectors on modern amp heads.
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If I had kept my former XZ-2, this would've been the next approach to keep the 3 knob layout simple.
EMG - Potentiometers - A25KX2 Stacked Volume - Best Bass Gear
EMG - Potentiometers - A25KX2 Stacked Volume - Best Bass Gear
Not really sure if it's maple or?
It has a nice burst, and the finish seems to be pretty thick and durable on it as well. I think they did a great job on these when they were making them.
The burst XZs of the MusicYo era had 3-piece swamp ash bodies. All the black and white painted basses were maple. The burst XZs are generally very attractive, with a slight edge to the honeyburst and fireburst. The cherrybursts could be nice too, but for some reason the factory tended to not do as good a job on the transition from red to yellow, at least all the ones I saw online back then. The website used stock photos, as you'd expect.
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Got the EMG's and Audere 3 band installed. Output is LOUD. EMG's are hot. Audere sounds very good. Definitely a more sedate pre. No super sizzly treble, but a nice balanced top end. Mids and bass also very clean and defined. No boominess, or extreme mid honk. Just a nice balanced sound with plenty of output. Gigging this tonight.
Outstanding, PB! We're definitely looking forward to the gig report. Looks good with the cream covers!
So, I wish I could give you a gig report but I really can't provide an accurate one. The band I recently joined is using in ears monitors. I was stuck using generic 1 driver IEM's that provided zero realistic representation of how the bass actually sounds through a good amp. From a functionality perspective the bass plays beautifully, but is VERY different from my Sadowsky and Elrick units. Its almost as if the neck is scaled differently. Even with the body shifted to my right during playing the neck feel is entirely different than my other basses. But, that's a Steinberger. It was a wonderful 7lbs 2 oz on my shoulder which I love. Its like a toy around my body. I do so enjoy that feel. One thing that's unusual and I can't determine why, is the string tension. With the bass shifted left as it has a tendency to do, I find myself playing over the bridge pickup a lot, and the string tension is way tight. I move my hand to the neck pickup but its still much tighter than my fender style basses. I also use Elixir bass strings exclusively as I like the silky feel and extreme durability. I have them on heavily gigged basses for months and months before having to change them. But the OEM double ball strings that are on it now are very tight, very stiff. I have a standard string adaptor clamp coming from headless.com this week, and a set of Elixirs waiting to go on it. I'm curious to see if the tension feels any different, but I don't expect it to be, as the gauges are the same as stock. I'll switch to super lights down the road, but they were hard to find this go round.
Today, I brought it down to my project studio and ran it through both the studio monitors and then my Genz Transporter 900/fEARless f112. It has more output than both of the other basses, and a distinctly different tone then the Fender Style basses. No overtones, very focused, punchy and crisp is the best way I can put it. I have to imagine it sounds very much like a US Steinberger with a 3 band pre added. I know there's a huge debate between IEM's and traditional cab/amp setups, but the gig I recently got requires in ears. I've got a set of custom molded in ear monitors on order and expect to have fantastic sound in my ears once I get them. But until then, these live gigs are not so fun from a sound enjoyment perspective. As far as the bass itself, it did a great job.
Today, I brought it down to my project studio and ran it through both the studio monitors and then my Genz Transporter 900/fEARless f112. It has more output than both of the other basses, and a distinctly different tone then the Fender Style basses. No overtones, very focused, punchy and crisp is the best way I can put it. I have to imagine it sounds very much like a US Steinberger with a 3 band pre added. I know there's a huge debate between IEM's and traditional cab/amp setups, but the gig I recently got requires in ears. I've got a set of custom molded in ear monitors on order and expect to have fantastic sound in my ears once I get them. But until then, these live gigs are not so fun from a sound enjoyment perspective. As far as the bass itself, it did a great job.
Genz Streamliner 900 maybe? The ultimate contrast playing a Spirit could easily be for someone who's played Fender basses and who is used to the ergonomics and angles of those. It's quite different, but it gets easier with time. That was a good review, pb.
Good report, here's a couple of suggestions that may help you out, a ton.
Get this adapter instead, it'll fit perfectly and won't be a block hanging off the end (I've done both). You can also email him directly, excellent quality I have about 5 of the 5 string versions that I provided him with specs/dimensions to build from.
Pickup a set of these IEMs, even as a backup until your others arrive, 5 or 6 drivers and they sound amazing. Many here on TB use them, I have a couple pairs and use them weekly.
KZ ZS10 Pro, 4BA+1DD 5 Driver in-Ear HiFi Metal Earphones https://a.co/d/9lFRXQp
I've not done the custom molds yet as these seal up great and I get great bass response.
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Without the strap extender hook these are fairly uncomfortable and awkward feeling to play, almost unplayable. Adding the strap extender hook shifts the whole instrument to the right a few inches which makes it hang on the shoulder much more naturally plus puts the neck pickup in a more comfortable location to use as a thumb rest, does to me anyway. They should have been included with the instrument when sold new and IMO are a lot of the reason they weren't more popular.
Almost impossible to find now so I had some made by a friend with a computerized plasma cutter, can hook you up with one if interested.
I ordered the earbuds you recommended. This will be the third brand I'll be trying. My issue is my ear canals are small. Even the smallest size tip doesn't seal right. But, I'll try em.
I'll look into the end piece you referenced. The adaptor I bought was $54 with shipping which seemed rediculous. I'll likely return it if I can get the one you've recommended.
as far as playability without extending the strap mount. I played a B2A for years with the straps attached to the body without any real issue. I'm flexible regarding the position of the bass and I can slide it to my right with the strap as it stands now. I prefer some body contact with the bass body. Sliding it to the right kinda removes that. Plus I use strap locks, so screwing the buttons into the body is convenient.
I'll look into the end piece you referenced. The adaptor I bought was $54 with shipping which seemed rediculous. I'll likely return it if I can get the one you've recommended.
as far as playability without extending the strap mount. I played a B2A for years with the straps attached to the body without any real issue. I'm flexible regarding the position of the bass and I can slide it to my right with the strap as it stands now. I prefer some body contact with the bass body. Sliding it to the right kinda removes that. Plus I use strap locks, so screwing the buttons into the body is convenient.
[QUOTE/]
Get this adapter instead, it'll fit perfectly and won't be a block hanging off the end (I've done both). You can also email him directly, excellent quality I have about 5 of the 5 string versions that I provided him with specs/dimensions to [/QUOTE]
I emailed him weeks ago. He never responded. He has no eBay listings. Been a dead end.
Get this adapter instead, it'll fit perfectly and won't be a block hanging off the end (I've done both). You can also email him directly, excellent quality I have about 5 of the 5 string versions that I provided him with specs/dimensions to [/QUOTE]
I emailed him weeks ago. He never responded. He has no eBay listings. Been a dead end.
