I've noticed lately that alot of basses i used to think were ugly, or not my style have been starting to grow on me. This bass and the Music Man Bongo are two that come to mind. Great video Earl! Always look forward to the next.
I love my Steinberger Xl2 got it a few months ago and man it’s a fantastic bass I’ve stopped using my fenders for right now and I’m gigging with the Xl2 instead because the sound I’m getting live is unreal!!
Enjoyed your review, as a guy just geting older (59) with a back that doesn't like long sets anymore - I've just gone and ordered one - will be gigging with it when it arrives after a setup, great review.
They’re cool looking, in a kind of New Wave/80s way. Geddy Lee used one for a while, but wasn’t happy with the tone, so went back to his 70s Jazz. They sound good to me, especially on Constantine’s videos. I think that’s the main thing, being able to get a sound you like.
The difference is that Constantine Isslamow plays an XP-2, which is a very high end bass despite being the original Steinbergers budget option, I'm not certain but I think he might have an L2 or XL2 as well
I love these basses. I got the XT25 and just ordered a XT-2. I also solved the straphook problem by making a custom bracket that brings the front hook up to the 12th fret. No screws needed :) (see demo video on my channel)
Hi Maxproud. I use a 5 string version at my local church. I really like it but hit the usual common issues. Pickups are weak. The sound engineer rarely turns it up enough (used to active basses). Sounds loud enough thru my Orange amp. I got a Studio Spares battery/phantom powered box but tend to use an active fretless now. I cured lack of strap hook - there was an article modifying a bosch router tool. Works well (just careful with edges as will cut thru gig bag) To me the biggest issue is lack of double ball end strings - especially 5 string. Most fit the original Ned Steinberger L2 and are 6mm too short. Given Gibson bought the design one might have hoped they kept same string ... nope. The official 5 way bass string adaptor is quite rare. The cheap pot metal ones are rubbish. Been working on way to convert normal strings to double ball end. Close but not good enough yet. I love your slap tone. For sure new.strings help - i find the 5 string a bit close to slap but i guess i gotta get more accurate. I got some 4 string old British made.strings that fit my 5 string. So I can have 4 awesome sounding bright strings and dull stock 5th string. Like I said string choice, weak pickups and need special strap hook in decreasing order of pain.
@@maxproud heres my review of how o modified it here - ua-cam.com/video/5e4C8SW-bN4/v-deo.html I have a cheap active preamp and some cheap soap bar pickups on order. I measure mine at 5 k ohm ... that's really low. So that's why mine is weak. Also the wiring looks suspect. The ones on order are 12k - will see what they sound like. The original Steinbergers of course had the active EMGs ... awesome pickups. Would be nice if EMG made a reasonably priced set the retro fit into these Steinbergers - I figure they would sell a few.
Even if I’m not ever willing to spend the money for it, I imagine getting a first-generation Steinberger bass. Most of them were built in the same city where I was born, the upstate New York town of Newburgh.
At this point,@@maxproud, I could see myself getting an emulator if I thought I could have the top part swapped out with a string adapter from NS Designs.
I used to have a Steinberger XL-2 (all composite bass) a few years ago and it sounded so good. Let me tell you if you trade those two stock pickups (passives) on your Spirit XT-2 bass for two EMG HB pickups (actives) your bass gonna sound really close to an original XL-2.
Fantastic dude. Wish I could play as fluid as you. I'm just starting and hitting strings everywhere. Bought Hofner viola bass. If I improve one-day I'd like to get this too. Constantine's a legend.
You sound good on that bass.Same as you I always wanted one especially the old carbon graphite type.These are relatively inexpensive so I just finally caved and ordered one.Only about 30 years too late.
I do like those basses. Far from the original L2 but if I ever got one I would upgrade the pickups or even add a preamp. Add a preamp please Earl. The pickups are a little weak on the one's I've played.
Any proposal on a decent preamp? I got a studio spares booster (external) and also find a bass modelling pedal works ok but like the idea of adding onboard preamp
Stephen Hookings hope I’m not too late but I own two Spirit XZ-2 Basses (not the one Earl has) and they each preamps (Bartolini and EMG BTC) for me I love the bartolini preamp cause I’m able to switch between passive and active on my spirit. Definitely look into both companies as it improves the tone a smidge.
I think you are mistaken, it's two volumes and a master tone, like a Jazz bass. I used to own one like that a few years ago. I didn't care for the neck dive.
@@jugglerjoe i dont get dive from mine. If on lap the built in rest works well. If standing up - well I made a strap hook based on some internet designs and it is nice and balanced. The big deal is getting decent strings especially with the 5 string version. Original 1980s model dont fit. I am trying to convert single ball end into double. Not seen the official string convertor for a while.
The only time I played a headless bass my hand fell off the end of the bass, which makes no sense because it's not like I was trying to fret at the 'zero fret' but it happened ! Going from 4 to 5 string was easy for me, going from headtstock to headless freaked me out. Well that's my 'war story' so-to-speak.
@@maxproud Yeah, I honestly don't know what happened to this day, but yeah I started playing and the next thing I know my left hand has slipped right off the end of the bass.
I've noticed lately that alot of basses i used to think were ugly, or not my style have been starting to grow on me. This bass and the Music Man Bongo are two that come to mind. Great video Earl! Always look forward to the next.
The Bongo will never grow on me,looks too much like a toilet seat.
@@kevmac1230 I had to look this up......yeah....that's a broken toilet seat
@@kevmac1230People who play them really seem to love their turlet though lol. I don't blame them, they sound great..
I love my Steinberger Xl2 got it a few months ago and man it’s a fantastic bass I’ve stopped using my fenders for right now and I’m gigging with the Xl2 instead because the sound I’m getting live is unreal!!
Cool! Happy holidays!
Enjoyed your review, as a guy just geting older (59) with a back that doesn't like long sets anymore - I've just gone and ordered one - will be gigging with it when it arrives after a setup, great review.
Hope it works out! This bass weighs about a "feather!"😄
They’re cool looking, in a kind of New Wave/80s way. Geddy Lee used one for a while, but wasn’t happy with the tone, so went back to his 70s Jazz. They sound good to me, especially on Constantine’s videos. I think that’s the main thing, being able to get a sound you like.
Agreed.
The difference is that Constantine Isslamow plays an XP-2, which is a very high end bass despite being the original Steinbergers budget option, I'm not certain but I think he might have an L2 or XL2 as well
I love these basses. I got the XT25 and just ordered a XT-2. I also solved the straphook problem by making a custom bracket that brings the front hook up to the 12th fret. No screws needed :) (see demo video on my channel)
Hi Maxproud. I use a 5 string version at my local church. I really like it but hit the usual common issues.
Pickups are weak. The sound engineer rarely turns it up enough (used to active basses). Sounds loud enough thru my Orange amp.
I got a Studio Spares battery/phantom powered box but tend to use an active fretless now.
I cured lack of strap hook - there was an article modifying a bosch router tool. Works well (just careful with edges as will cut thru gig bag)
To me the biggest issue is lack of double ball end strings - especially 5 string. Most fit the original Ned Steinberger L2 and are 6mm too short. Given Gibson bought the design one might have hoped they kept same string ... nope.
The official 5 way bass string adaptor is quite rare. The cheap pot metal ones are rubbish. Been working on way to convert normal strings to double ball end. Close but not good enough yet.
I love your slap tone. For sure new.strings help - i find the 5 string a bit close to slap but i guess i gotta get more accurate.
I got some 4 string old British made.strings that fit my 5 string. So I can have 4 awesome sounding bright strings and dull stock 5th string.
Like I said string choice, weak pickups and need special strap hook in decreasing order of pain.
Why is that this style of bass has seems to have pickup issues?
@@maxproud heres my review of how o modified it here - ua-cam.com/video/5e4C8SW-bN4/v-deo.html
I have a cheap active preamp and some cheap soap bar pickups on order. I measure mine at 5 k ohm ... that's really low. So that's why mine is weak. Also the wiring looks suspect. The ones on order are 12k - will see what they sound like.
The original Steinbergers of course had the active EMGs ... awesome pickups. Would be nice if EMG made a reasonably priced set the retro fit into these Steinbergers - I figure they would sell a few.
Sounds great earl ! Thanks for the review
Any time!
I have hear some great sound from this model bass,
Yes it is true.
Even if I’m not ever willing to spend the money for it, I imagine getting a first-generation Steinberger bass. Most of them were built in the same city where I was born, the upstate New York town of Newburgh.
Did you always want an original one? Or would you have minded a copy? Like the HOHNER Headless bass. It was quite similar.
At this point,@@maxproud, I could see myself getting an emulator if I thought I could have the top part swapped out with a string adapter from NS Designs.
I used to have a Steinberger XL-2 (all composite bass) a few years ago and it sounded so good. Let me tell you if you trade those two stock pickups (passives) on your Spirit XT-2 bass for two EMG HB pickups (actives) your bass gonna sound really close to an original XL-2.
Thanks for the tip! Happy holidays!
You're welcome, happy holidays to you!
Hohner had a reissue call HB2a and it had an active switch with a battery indicator light. It came in red, black, and dull brown.
Yes. I forgot about that one.
Nice Review Earl thanks for posting
Thanks! Happy holidays!
It's two volumes and one tone
Fantastic dude. Wish I could play as fluid as you. I'm just starting and hitting strings everywhere. Bought Hofner viola bass. If I improve one-day I'd like to get this too. Constantine's a legend.
Constantine is quite good!
I just got one of these bass guitars black one too it is a real piece of art and a real player
Cool.
If you know who Dee Murray was he played Steinberger bass guitars. They sound great.
You sound good on that bass.Same as you I always wanted one especially the old carbon graphite type.These are relatively inexpensive so I just finally caved and ordered one.Only about 30 years too late.
Thanks. And congrats! 'Hope it didn't set you back too much?!
@@maxproud It's a pretty good little bass all around,I find it very comfortable.
Great sound
Agreed.
I do like those basses. Far from the original L2 but if I ever got one I would upgrade the pickups or even add a preamp. Add a preamp please Earl. The pickups are a little weak on the one's I've played.
Something to think about. Thanks.
Any proposal on a decent preamp? I got a studio spares booster (external) and also find a bass modelling pedal works ok but like the idea of adding onboard preamp
Stephen Hookings hope I’m not too late but I own two Spirit XZ-2 Basses (not the one Earl has) and they each preamps (Bartolini and EMG BTC) for me I love the bartolini preamp cause I’m able to switch between passive and active on my spirit. Definitely look into both companies as it improves the tone a smidge.
I like it
I think you are mistaken, it's two volumes and a master tone, like a Jazz bass. I used to own one like that a few years ago. I didn't care for the neck dive.
Yes volume volume tone. Neck dive is bad. I almost bought one but the electrics were noisy and pickups weak.
I appreciate the help. I don't get neck dive though.
@@jugglerjoe i dont get dive from mine. If on lap the built in rest works well. If standing up - well I made a strap hook based on some internet designs and it is nice and balanced.
The big deal is getting decent strings especially with the 5 string version. Original 1980s model dont fit. I am trying to convert single ball end into double. Not seen the official string convertor for a while.
Funny, I've recently been looking at the Steinberger guitar kind of randomly. Very interesting instruments, very non-traditional.
Nice you know I have one.
Yes dear!
The only time I played a headless bass my hand fell off the end of the bass, which makes no sense because it's not like I was trying to fret at the 'zero fret' but it happened ! Going from 4 to 5 string was easy for me, going from headtstock to headless freaked me out. Well that's my 'war story' so-to-speak.
Seriously?! Wow!
@@maxproud Yeah, I honestly don't know what happened to this day, but yeah I started playing and the next thing I know my left hand has slipped right off the end of the bass.
Smokin Cola I hope you don’t double on trombone!!
Merlin from The Canton Spirituals used this in the 90s
Nice eclectic bass! Interesting to play and 'live' with!
sounds pop
Pop?
I… I do mind the cup
Sounds good for an odd duck😳
OK, thanks! Happy holidays!
I play mine laying in bed.
I'm not a fan of these type of basses AT ALL, it sounds good though.
It is an acquired taste. Happy holidays!
Steinberger has awesome tone; bad looks.