Steinberger - Synapse or Steinberger USA from MusicYo?

Glad to know you're happy. post soundclips when you can, please.

 

I'd love to hear how the XQ sounds . . . I've been hankering for a USA XQ 4-string with the DB-tuner lately.

 

Anyone able to bum a pic of the upcoming 6 string Synapse?

 

I don't have a pic of the 6 string, but I do like my 5-string Synapse fretless:



I bought it mostly for the form factor for travel. I personally don't care for the EMG sound, and I didn't much care for the piezo pickup either, so Mike Lull has it right now, putting a Bartolini pickup and 18-volt 3-band eq in it. He's also going to widen the b-string slot on the headpiece so that I can use Thomastik flatwounds (the huge .136 b string wouldn't fit through the channel!). That will be a bass that fits my needs very well: Bartolini humbucker in the MusicMan position, bart 3-band eq, and Thomastiks. I can't wait ...

Liam

 

i got a 5 string fretless synapse and returned it. i wasnt crazy about the feel, the weight and the oversize body. The larger body might help resonance but I just dont feel the update is an improvement over the classic design.

 

Does anybody know what is up with MusicYo? I've been looking at getting a Spirit XT, probably the one with the de-tuner bridge but they hardly ever have them in stock. Especially of course when I actually have the money. Most of the time they only have the left handed model. Is there anyplace else to buy them new?

 

Would one of you Synapse owners tell me what the string spacing is at the bridge? I have a Spirit and it's 16mm...a bit tight. Curious if the Synapse is 17mm.

Thanks.

 

I would love a Spirit XT Fiver from MusicYo but unfortunately, they are out of stock and will probably be for the foreseeable future.

They can be found on EBay but they tend to get bid up to sky-high prices and philosophically, that ticks me off. (If MusicYo had them, the would NOT be going for $300-400 on EBay -- but that's the law of Supply & Demand at work.)

That leaves me with two options:

1) A B-stock Synapse (Which can be had for +/- $650 on MF) Click Here

or

2) A Hohner B2AV from Ed Roman guitars (Which are right around $500) Click Here

I know that the Synapse has the EMG/Piezo pups vs. Active EMG Selects on the Hohner. I also know of the concerns some folks have with Ed Roman.

All that said, all I need is a "Travel Bass" that doesn't take up a lot of space. Getting the perfect tone is not my objective with this bass -- I need something with which to shed while traveling.

Any advice/suggestions?

 

I have the Spirit just for this reason...problem is the tight spacing at the bridge. Due to the spacing I am thinking about the Synapse B-stock. Won't do it unless the spacing is wider...but not 18mm!

The tone on the Spirit isn't bad! It's not like my Wals...but good for what it is.

 

Interesting. My main bass is an Ibanez SR505 -- I LIKE the tight spacing!

 

String spacing on my Synapse 5 is about 16 mm , I just went and measured it but my ruler was kind of hard to see so you,d better get a second opinion. So far I've had a lot of different basses and whatever the spacing is I seem to get used to it.
I got my synapse at M.F. at a reduced price and it was in perfect condition. I really like mine. Now I think I'm hooked on the headless concept.

 

Oohh, a E-C fretless five!!
Hmm........

 

I've always been curious about the XQ's sound. Please post sound clips when you can.

 

When is this coming out ?

 

Totally agreed with Iota on this. The Steinberger Spirits are fine little basses, but you can only buy them from MY two weeks out of the year! It's stupid.

 

Was checking out the Synapse - I have an old Spirit that I really like but have been disappointed with the adapter for regular strings. I tried to put on piccollo bass strings but they kept pulling out of the adapter.

I saw the info about the Synapse and the bit about the "Combo head that accommodates double-ball and single-ball strings". I am curious to know if anyone has had experiance using single-ball strings (particularly piccollo bass) with this new head.

Thx!