Steinberger XP reviews..

[throbgod13]

i'm really interested in one.. i'm actively looking..

but i'd like some reviews from TB owners of the XP2..

not the MuiscYo XP2, but the actual Steinberger XP2s with the composite neck..

what is the tone like??

what woods did Zen-On actually use for the body??

what problems have they had, other than the string claws breaking??

also, is there a standard-string headpiece that will work on it??

thanks..

 

[BartmanPDX]

I haven't played one -- I've only played L-series Steinbergers, but there is one on ebay right now . . .

 

[Justice]

i'm really interested in one.. i'm actively looking..

but i'd like some reviews from TB owners of the XP2..

not the MuiscYo XP2, but the actual Steinberger XP2s with the composite neck..

what is the tone like??

what woods did Zen-On actually use for the body??

what problems have they had, other than the string claws breaking??

also, is there a standard-string headpiece that will work on it??

thanks..

I had one (stolen). Mine was the XP2A with the active EMG pickups. 2 vol, 1 tone. Didi not sound like a Jazz or P bass, but could go from P thumpy to Ric bright. Very full tone with both pickups on and even sounding up and down the neck. Kinda modern sounding but it could growl I wanted it to. Not "sterile" sounding as is commonly associated with the Steinbergers.

The bodies were maple which made the basses weigh more than you would think seeing how small they were. Some people are of the opinion that the XP's sounded better than the XL's due to the wood body. I don't know, I have never had a chance to play an XL.

The weak link on Steinbergers is definitly the string claws, i had 3 break on mine. Luckily it came with an extra replacement claw and then I found a person selling aftermarket string claws on eBay right after I bought it so I got a pair from him. They sometimes turn up on ebay as well.

The original Steinberger blend necks did not have a truss rod, so if they started to bend, you were SOL unless you could get the neck refretted with frets that had a wider tang on them that would help push the bow out of the neck.

There was a string adaptor made that would fit them, but I do not know if they are still available. Langley Guitars was manufacturing a replacement headpiece that had a D-tuner incorporated into it and was very cool. They made them for both the original and Spirit series Steinbergers. (with the exception of some of the pickups, most parts are not interchangeable between the original Steinbergers and the Spirit series.

hope this helps

 

[throbgod13]

thanks. this helps.. alot..

 

[NHnoreaster]

I am looking at maybe getting an XP-2, I think has passive pups? I used to have an L2 years ago and really loved it. My reservation about the XP-2 is passive pickups not having enough punch, depth, or presence. Any thoughts on that?

 

[Gary Sutter]

My Son Just Ordered a Steinberger XP-2
Main concern was a broken String Claw but found one @ Ed Roman's + a Leg Rest & a couple sets of LaBella's to complete the package..
Thought I might have to order a complete JCustom DB Bridge with Drop D Option..

I see that this thread is originally from 2006, Then brought back in 2019, & now 2021..
Sorry About That in Advance..
Couldn't Find the correct area to post about the Steinberger XP-2

Also wanted to ask about the Allen wrenches to loosen the tuning knobs & bridge saddle hold down screw
Searched for a while & came up with nothing..
If anybody knows, What Size Tool is needed, Please Let Me Know.. Metric or Standard Exact Size??

Pictures to Come + Ones of the Jackson JPB-7/Marlow Copy & Ibanez Sound Gear
Here's One from Reverb