Steinberger Spirits

[Michael Vee]

Congrats, Sub. Beautiful XZ-2. I liked the honeyburst finish best. I wish the XZs were still in production.

I don't know if anyone here has tried that XT strap button relocation. I don't recall anyone posting that they did. Thanks for sharing that idea, and welcome!

 

[-Stingray]

Beautiful XZ-2. I liked the honeyburst finish best. I wish the XZs were still in production.

For the past few years I've been hoping that Gibson would put them back into production, but when I didn't see anything announced at the 2024 NAMM I decided to jump on this one. TBH I don't know if it will ever happen and the XT2's are now starting to get difficult to find in some colors, so I'm not sure if that was a limited run, or what.

 

[EdO.]

I don't know if anyone here has tried that XT strap button relocation. I don't recall anyone posting that they did. Thanks for sharing that idea, and welcome!

I tried it, didn't like it, wasn't comfortable to me. Left me with the strap tightly wrapped around me and the bass couldn't move around at all. Tried it in three different locations as shown in the photo, just wasn't for me. The strap extender hook makes it feel like a normal instrument hanging off my shoulder. Different strokes, do what works for you.

 

[Michael Vee]

For the past few years I've been hoping that Gibson would put them back into production, but when I didn't see anything announced at the 2024 NAMM I decided to jump on this one. TBH I don't know if it will ever happen and the XT2's are now starting to get difficult to find in some colors, so I'm not sure if that was a limited run, or what.

The red, blue, and black transparent flame top XTs were short-lived in production. A few more years would have been nice. The Hot Rod colors have still not reappeared this year. I had my eye on a Hot Rod Yellow last year and let it get away..

 

[-Stingray]

The red, blue, and black transparent flame top XTs were short-lived in production. A few more years would have been nice. The Hot Rod colors have still not reappeared this year. I had my eye on a Hot Rod Yellow last year and let it get away..

Yep, I wanted that yellow, and I'm kicking myself for not getting one last year.

 

[-Stingray]

I tried it, didn't like it, wasn't comfortable to me. Left me with the strap tightly wrapped around me and the bass couldn't move around at all. Tried it in three different locations as shown in the photo, just wasn't for me. The strap extender hook makes it feel like a normal instrument hanging off my shoulder. Different strokes, do what works for you.
View attachment 5334960

I understand.

I think body type has a lot to do with it. I have a long (relative thin) torso, which I think helps. I'm just glad it was every bit as comfortable (actually more so) than an extender for me.

 

[EdO.]

I understand.

I think body type has a lot to do with it. I have a long (relative thin) torso, which I think helps. I'm just glad it was every bit as comfortable (actually more so) than an extender for me.

I'm 6'2" and a reasonably fit 200-ish so it wasn't a big belly thing. For whatever that 's worth. Just wasn't comfortable not being able to shift the bass around.

 

[Michael Vee]

It appears that Alto Music has some of the color XT-2s in stock!

Electric Bass

Update: I saw Yellows in stock yesterday, but those have disappeared from the page. Blues are on order. Reds are "limited quantity."

 

[-Stingray]

I just found a yellow XT-2 on Reverb. Mint condition $300. Turns out the guy was only a hour away from me, so I scooped it up on Reverb then went on a road trip to go get it. Walking into his place I could see that he was definitely a player......I almost asked him if he was up here on TB.

This XT-2 plays as good as my black one. With a quick setup I got the action ridiculously low.....just the way I like it. The necks on these are just so good!

Edit: The XZ I picked up a couple weeks ago had to go back. It was an original Korean, and simply put, it was not as described. Sad....I really wanted an XZ. I'm still hoping they go back into production at some point.

 

[lug]

I just found a yellow XT-2 on Reverb. Mint condition $300. Turns out the guy was only a hour away from me, so I scooped it up on Reverb then went on a road trip to go get it. Walking into his place I could see that he was definitely a player......I almost asked him if he was up here on TB.

This XT-2 plays as good as my black one. With a quick setup I got the action ridiculously low.....just the way I like it. The necks on these are just so good!

Edit: The XZ I picked up a couple weeks ago had to go back. It was an original Korean, and simply put, it was not as described. Sad....I really wanted an XZ. I'm still hoping they go back into production at some point.

View attachment 5355895

I play in a blues band and every time I show up for practice with the steinie, the singer/guitardist shivers with a slight look of disgust. I can't imagine how well that color would go over! I am jealous!

 

[-Stingray]

I play in a blues band and every time I show up for practice with the steinie, the singer/gui****ist shivers with a slight look of disgust. I can't imagine how well that color would go over! I am jealous!

I'm playing in 2 bands at the moment. An 80's cover band and a 90's - 2000's cover band. It fits perfectly into the 80's group. Not so much the other one though.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Hey there,
If I was to consider upgrading the PU's of my Spirit to a set of EMG HBCS pickups, would anyone who has done this give me some tips? Wondering about:
- What parts I need to add to my order from EMG wiring/pots-wise?
- Should I consider a BTC pre as well? Will it fit?
Thanks,
JMJ

 

[Snert]

If I was to consider upgrading the PU's of my Spirit to a set of EMG HBCS pickups, would anyone who has done this give me some tips?

It's easy. Mine were HBs, not HBCS, but mechanically there's no difference.

What parts I need to add to my order from EMG wiring/pots-wise?

I used standard EMG pots for a VVT.

- Should I consider a BTC pre as well? Will it fit?

If you feel it would be worth it, but I have no idea if it will fit.

 

[Michael Vee]

Hey there,
If I was to consider upgrading the PU's of my Spirit to a set of EMG HBCS pickups, would anyone who has done this give me some tips? Wondering about:
- What parts I need to add to my order from EMG wiring/pots-wise?
- Should I consider a BTC pre as well? Will it fit?
Thanks,
JMJ

Justin, great to have you here in the Spirits thread!

I was one of the first players on Talkbass to do the EMG HBCS upgrade, over 20 years ago, and I assure you it will work well all around! Do it! As well as the BTC harness.

I am a big admirer of yours, and I'd say a lot of others of us here are as well. Let us know if you have other questions, as well as let us know how your upgrade turns out.

Spirits are terrific little basses. Which one do you have? How old is it?

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Justin, great to have you here in the Spirits thread!

I was one of the first players on Talkbass to do the EMG HBCS upgrade, over 20 years ago, and I assure you it will work well all around! Do it! As well as the BTC harness.

I am a big admirer of yours, and I'd say a lot of others of us here are as well. Let us know if you have other questions, as well as let us know how your upgrade turns out.

Spirits are terrific little basses. Which one do you have? How old is it?

Hey thank you so very much! Made my day. I have a yellow one that I got last year for backstage practice when touring with Beck. So I guess it's a 2023?

 

[Michael Vee]

I guess it is a 2023! I looked hard at a Hot Rod Yellow last year, and had even gotten a bit of a deal on it from Alto Music, but whiffed it. They are now backordered everywhere, and there is some speculation that the Hot Rod colors may be discontinued. Hopefully not!

Glad you got one, Justin! I'm going to post a picture, courtesy of Alto:

Just a fun-looking instrument! How do you like yours?

 

[skycruiser]

Just traded a Squier 40th Anniversary Jazz for one of these (black). I need something compact to keep under my desk at work for lunch time practice. Value-wise I probably came out behind on the trade, but I don't really mind too much.

Tried it out last night - sound is fine, not super dynamic. I've never been a fan of humbuckers so wasn't expecting much. It has La Bella flats on it. The tone knob feels a little funny - maybe it is loose or something. Works fine though. If it just stays in my office it won't matter much since I don't plan to plug in. Mainly doing some daily sheet music reading practice.

If I decide to practice standing I'll definitely need an extender or adjustment to the strap points. That low end of the fretboard is waaaay out there! I'll look through the thread to see what has been done. I'm seeing extenders that get out to around fret 14 or 15. And they all require a hole to be drilled in the back (not a big deal). Something that folds back and still fits nicely in the case would be great but that might be asking too much.

 

[dave_p]

I got rid of mine. Not a good instrument for me for gigging. The tone and volume knobs did not behave in a musical way at all. It hangs funny on a strap and sorry that's a deal breaker and there's no excuse. You can't play it in its factory configuration. At least I can't. Build quality was so so. If it was branded Epiphone it would be easier to swallow. Not really worthy of the Steinberger name. Took a beating on mine. Traded it in for this:

 

[Iristone]

I wonder if anyone tried the coil split with stock Steinberger (by Epiphone) pickups? Seems doable with the multi-lead pickup wiring, and I'm thinking if the single coil mode will sound more like a P bass coil without having to splurge on the HBCS pickups.

 

[gabal]

Hi there! Does anyone know what material the frets on the Spirit are made of?

I just bought a used one that's clearly been played a lot over the years — it's got scratches, the pickups are gold but someone painted them black, and there's even a metal plate added to move the strap button position.

But the frets are perfect, like straight out of the factory.

That makes me think they might be stainless steel — could that be the case?