I have that Vox headphone amp. I bought a little Bose Soundlink Color for $100. It is battery powered as well. I tell you what, you plug that Bose into that Vox amp and you can get some killer sounds!! 100% portable too!!
It's weird to hear it called a travel guitar. When I owned in the 80s early 90s, it was apart of my gear. It sat with my guitars. It was a legit, playing and sounding guitar. It's pegged a travel guitar now. I did a lot of gigs with mine back in the day.
The only bad thing about this guitar is that too many people call it a travel guitar. But it's really not, it's a guitar on its own. You made a lovely review! Your smile and enthusiasm is very contagious!
Agreed, these Steinberger guitars are not toys, these are serious gigging guitars, how do I know? I've already done one live jam gig with mine and they do the job fine, just like a regular guitar.
Hello Rachel! Yes, you are correct, the original Steinberger guitars from the 80’s were made of carbon fiber, and often go for about $3,000 or so if you can find them these days. Steinberger did the reissue in wood, hence the name “Spirit”. I have both the guitar, and the bass. The leg rest original was plastic, and did break, and the Spirit has a metal rest. As for the tuners, yes, they can be a little hard to turn. The tuner for the floating bridge can be tuned as well, by taking a little pressure off of the bridge by moving by hand. The double-ball end strings are hard to find, but there is a string adapter available for normal strings. Have fun with your guitar! This is one of the most iconic guitars of its time =)
Dear Manufacturers: Please bury Rachel's house in free gear. Let her enthusiasm rub off on your products and therefore increase your sales. Sincerely, your potential customer.
Just back from Thailand, visiting friends and staying in Temple in Chang Mai with my friends and the monks (amazing experience) after that leaving to Japan, first Osaka and cycling from Onomichi to Imabari, with the ferry to Hiroshima, after that to Tokyo ...and back to the Netherlands with a lot of great memory's. Back home, after months of searching (on-line) for the right guitar to play with at home and travel, i was looking at this video wich gave me the "ok" to buy one..thanks for your inspiration and enthusiasm !!
I remember when these guitars were appearing in bands during the 80s, they were seen as being really cool and used more for their light weight format Vs being a travel guitar. I think they came in a Bass format first. The simple style suited the new wave look for many bands. Still look very cool today.
Wow, I think the middle pickup alone and the song choice for that pickup was really well chosen....they went together so well I think that rif sounded the best by far! :)
Thank you! Yeah, I spent a little more time on that one and used the same amp setting on all the others. In retrospect probably should have changed the others a bit!
It may make a good travel guitar (better than some instruments marketed as travel guitars) but the iconic Steinberger is a (now) classic instrument design which has appeared in numerous music videos and concert stages, particularly in the 1980's.
I bought one of those after lung surgery when I needed something lightweight that wouldn't pull too much on my right side. I don't play it all that often any more, but it sits in my office at work and certainly sparks some conversations.
She’s absolutely correct. And it’s a tough and durable axe too. Mine is over 10 years old and has been abused, traveled and flown many many miles home and abroad, and has been left in hot cars, cold garages, flown in overhead airplane bins, outdoors, camping tents, and is still in perfect shape. Get a micro cube battery powered amp and this guitar and you have an extremely easy “grab and go” rig for informal jams and campfire gatherings. I’ve used it in live band gigs. Gets a lot of attention, too!
A couple of pretty big names are associated with that style of guitar (and the bass model): Buck Dharma of Blue Oyster Cult and Paul Masvidal of Cynic both used a different model of Steinberger with a more "traditionally-shaped" body. Geddy Lee of Rush used the bass model a lot through the 80s. Steinberger even has a cool trem system that changes the pitch of the strings uniformly so that you can bend entire chords while keeping them in tune, and Eddie Van Halen used that a bit in the 90s. Surprised that it's so inexpensive. Steinberger are definitely the innovators of the whole "headless" thing. Strandberg makes some really, really nice headless guitars and they're probably the guitars I'm most interested in getting (plus they have 7 and 8 string models :D)
Cool, thanks for the information! I had seen that Eddie Van Halen had used Steinberger guitars before as well. This one is their most entry level model and is made in China, probably accounting for the lower cost. I think Strandberg guitars are really cool! Maybe someday will get one :)
You had the best review. It was quick and to the point and in depth. Some of these fancier edited videos don’t even come close to your review. Can’t wait to get mine.
One year ago I finally decided buying this guitar watching you were playing the guitar. So now I playing this guitar day after day.😅 It is so useful for play in a car.
Dear Rachel, thank you for taking the time breaking down the Steinberger Spirit. Because of your breakdown of the guitar, and a few others, I bought one for myself for the same reason. I’m a traveling sales person who’s been playing guitar for many years, and wanted something that I could keep my chops up, but also have something that I might be able to bring with me to an open mike night when traveling. With this, along with my Boss GT-1 effects pedal, I’m now set. Thank you very much for this demonstration. Well done. Regards, Tom D.
I recently bought one of these. The middle single coil pickup got in the way of my pick, so I removed it, and I replaced the 5-way switch with an exact fitting 3-way switch. It doesn't look too good with the missing pickup, but it's more comfortable for me to play and I can switch on both humbuckers.
I have an original white GT2 with Trans Trem. It fits diagonally in my suitcase and flies in the baggage section. So far, so good. I love it! I wish you the best of luck with yours. Len J
I do the web stuff for a big mom and pop store and I have viewed hundreds of UA-cam demos... and you are spot on... if this was your first one, you are seriously kicking ass right out of the chute... This review is better than most other for this model out there... go go go
There is an adapter that goes onto the top of the headpiece that allows for single ball strings. I got one on eBay for mine. Super easy to use - no real installation necessary.
Good overview of the Steinberger Spirit. These are great guitars for the price. If you upgrade the pickups it can work very well as a professional instrument. Although it does make an excellent travel guitar the design was originally leaning toward the ergonomic aspects. Hohner makes a slightly higher priced version which I own and am completely satisfied with. Hohner offers some really nice finishes such as natural wood (oil finish). I got mine after hearing and seeig the amazing guitarist Mick Goodrick using a Hohner G3T for several years. The last model Steinberger was making before Gibson bought them out was the Steinberger Synapse. It's definitely a more professional instrument with slight design changes, 2 EMG active humbuckers, improved hardware which takes double ball end or regular strings of your choice, the neck is reinforced with graphite and a phenolic resin fingerboard (feels & looks like ebony). It's too bad Gibson stopped making them... but at least they still have the 2 Spirit models. I have a Hohner, a Synapse and would still consider getting the same Spirit model which you have as a good backup that I could experiment using different pickups on. That locking bridge works incredibly well. I don't use much whammy bar in my playing but this makes it SO easy to switch back & forth. Again, a great and honest review. It would be hard to find a guitar with better balance in this price range. ...and ends up travelling really well too! :-)
I just ordered my lefty version. Being a lefty, it might take 6 months to arrive however. Hope you enjoyed Japan. I live in Hiroshima, come for a visit next time.
Congrats on the new guitar. I getting an Italia LP style Fiberglass guitar next month for Christmas. So I know what it is like to get new gear and be excited. Enjoy it girl. Your videos is so postive. And you play much better than I do. You go girl and rock on. God bless you.
I first saw steinberger guitar around year 1987,Paul Stanley of Kiss played one in some videoclip of the group and never had the chance to buy one because were extremely expensive and totally unavailable in Greece.Hohner were somehow cheaper but still unaffordable.But for sure i am gonna get one to my self in my age of 50 as something that has left unfulfiled from my teenage years.
I really appreciate these guitars. They show the wood doesn't matter other than for climate reasons. On an electric guitar, the pickups and Speakers matter most.
steinbergers are awesome, don't really get why they aren't as much as popular as other minimal models. I don't really consider it a travel guitar but rather an instrument meant for rock, metal and fusion \m/
Thank you for the review. Please do one when you get back. Would be real interesting to hear what you think after having it on the road for a bit. Keep the videos coming!
It is obviously good to have a travel instrument and keep in practice, but I don't think you'll lose your calluses. I was in prison from 2004 to 2007 and I didn't lose mine. They got a bit smaller, but not to the point that it hurt to play when I got home. They came back completely within a couple weeks.
Really? Maybe it's just a matter of passing a certain number of years of playing, and/or the difference in action and string tension with different guitars, like your solid body electric guitars are not going to give you the thick calluses that you'd get with an old beat up acoustic dreadnought. I was kind of a train-hopping street musician for my teenage years, all I had was an Ovation Matrix (basically before there was Applause, there was the cheap "Matrix" series with big square frets and some weird polymer fingerboards and very high action) which I spent several hours every day playing first position chords to accompany my voice telling strangers things that they probably didn't want to know . . . . . . although they did throw their change in my case... I learned on that thing, and it literally made my fingers bleed during the first few months. It had a really sweet sound when I put new strings on it though.
Hi Rachel, I managed to buy myself a Steinberger Spirit GT Pro Deluxe guitar like yours, but in Frosted Blue, anyway, I wasn't too thrilled about the 46-10 gauge strings that came factory fitted with mine, and since double ball-end strings are more expensive than single ball-end strings, I opted to buy a special Brass single ball-end string adaptor for my Steinberger, I would highly recommend buying one since it allows you to use a wider range of string brands and gauges on your guitar, also if you do decide to use single ball-end strings make sure you apply some solder to the twists that keep the single ball attached to the string so they don't slip and make the string go flat under tension.
The daughter I never had. I like the new blue Steinbergers. Fun fact, back in 1970 I bought a Vox distortion booster that plugged into my guitar jack for $10 new. How far effects have come since then!
You really have SUPER-GOOD taste in choosing musical instrument~ This unusual looking headless guitar was designed in the early Eighties, salute to Mr. Ned Steinberger. He's the man!
To protect the neck you can buy pipe insulation for large size pipe at home Depot and put a piece on it while traveling. To protect the head from bouncing around.
People keep bringing up the "Travel Guitar" aspect, which is just one of its great perks, but what find curious is I never see them using the awesome whammy bar which can be set up for lefty or right-handed players! I bought mine to be played during the 80's set of my cover band. The authenticity will be awesome. These guitars do require some getting used to.
I'm so jealous u going to Japan for a whole month. That would be my #1 place to travel to next. Nice guitar and I love the leg rest feature. I have the same amp plug and it sounds surprising amazing for such a small device. Anyways, I hope you have a fun and safe trip and as always, I look forward to hearing more covers from u once you're back. Oh, I would def be interested in seeing footage from Japan!
Fun - I have just the same thing, and it’s been all over the world! Excellent choice. Some notes: when you change the strings, you’ll find that the bridge is held in place by string tension - each string has a separate piece - so it’s best to do one string at a time. (Mine is also a bit tough to tune - but it does stay in tune!) They make string adapters that fit at the head of the neck; I’ve owned two - but can’t recommend them - I never used them - they are small dull black parts, and I always lose them before I’ve needed them.
Small suggestion about the tuning screws. Someone else online suggested putting graphite on the bridge tuning screw threads in order to make them easier to turn. He used the lead from a pencil for the graphite.
The older Spirits were HSS configuration on the pickups. I've got a 2003 model (Korean-made - sold by Gibson via MusicYo) and still pick it up quite often.
I own one of the Spirit Ying/Yang ☯️ (Discontinued model) and I Love it, but it took some time to get used to it. I am now and it was easy to lay it down and grab one of my Les Paul Guitars 🎸 and jam away, then go back to the Steinberger and Jam it out. Have fun and enjoy your time away, as they say in Show business Break a Leg 🦵 but don't really break a leg. 🎸👍☮️🇺🇸👏🙏
I swear to god, the amount you love this shit makes me love it even more than I already did. I'm gonna go learn the Tornado of Souls solo now. You should too!
Hi Rachel, thank you so much for this review. Now that 5 years passed since you initially reviewed the Spirit GT-Pro, can you please comment on your current satisfaction from using it? How did the guitar serve you while you were traveling in Japan? Did you enjoy playing it then and do you still enjoy playing it now? I'm also considering purchasing a Steinberger Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe and would very much appreciate your "after 5 years" revisit of the original review 🙏 Also, small aesthetic question, is the white color of the body "pure" white or is is a little off-white? Since I don't have a local music store that sells Steinberger guitars my only option is to order the guitar from an online store without the option to view the colors in real life.
I played one of the early Steinbergers back in the '80s & was very impressed, it's good to see they're still around (although not quite the same as you pointed out). A company called Headway also produced a similar instrument, the Riverhead... it had an angular body instead of the rectangular Steinberger design. Enjoy your travels miss!
Congratulation for that beautiful guitar. I see that you kept the stock pickups. They make this guitar sounds like a Steinberger ! I see a lot of owner changing them and then, it sounds like any other guitar. Sad ! The only option would be the EMG 89 I believe (hope I don't make a mistake). These EMGs were installed on old Steinberger models in the 80's and 90's (~). Have fun !
I'll be taking delivery of a black Spirit on June 15/20. Six weeks since I ordered it, but less than the 8-12 weeks that was quoted. I had a Hohner G3T (HSS) copy many years ago and didn't like the sound of the pickups so I traded it off. Early this year I decided I needed (wanted) another one, and the Steinberger is cheaper than the 35 yr old copies are now. I have an AmPlug, too, the AC30 version, and yes, it is an amazing wee amp. It takes pedals just fine. Sometimes I'll take it and headphone to try out guitars so I don't embarrass myself :D I enjoyed your video, and I hope you had a smashing good time time on your trip!
I recognized you from your RockSmith 2014 60 Day Challenge. My Grandchildren are going to learn using that. I gave them 4 guitars, 1 acoustic. 1 electric acoustic and 2 electric guitars. I had given up on trying to learn but their enthusiasm has challenged me to try again. After researching what electric guitar to buy I am against Gibson style with the neck break. A Fender might work for me but I wanted to find a headless guitar and check them out. Low and behold there you were again. The local travel guitars only had one pickup and it wasn't a Humbucker so I wanted to find one with 2 Humbuckers and yours has that and more. If only I can find that guitar in a kit where I can install the best pickups and hardware I can buy. It would be great if it came in a 7 & 8 string guitar set up too. Not sure if RockSmith will accommodate a 7 or 8 string guitar though but I need a guitar to play with my Grandchildren on RockSmith.
I have owned 3 steinbergers. They put out excellent product. The only problem I had was finding strings. The licensed steinbergers strings were too long and the only place who carried the proper fitting strings was on the other side of town, about an hour and a half from where I live.
I have a Vox amPlug Metal Amp, really useful little device for practicing in my small bedroom where i don't have enough room for an amp and to plug in headphones so I don't annoy my flat mates
If you're going to Tokyo you should definitely check out ESP Craft House in Shibuya. That place is like my home away from home. I bought so many picks that I had to get an album too. My all-time favourite band is the GazettE and they have their model guitars there. It's really cool.
Great video Rachelf. I love my Steinberger Pro as well and I also have a Hohner G2T headless and use these as my main guitars. Have fun in Japan is you have not been yet and again.. GREAT VIDEO!!! ❤️️👍🏾
Hope you enjoy my first gear related video! If you'd like to see more or have any suggestions for future gear videos, please let me know :)
I have that Vox headphone amp. I bought a little Bose Soundlink Color for $100. It is battery powered as well. I tell you what, you plug that Bose into that Vox amp and you can get some killer sounds!! 100% portable too!!
Rachelf keep up the good work
I like the shovel guitar
David Nwokoye
aka a broom body. An older term from when Ned Steinberger first made this design. ✌☺
Deductive Reasoning
Broadly speaking, The Japanese currently make the best guitars in the world.
They have huge Luthiers schools...
It's weird to hear it called a travel guitar. When I owned in the 80s early 90s, it was apart of my gear. It sat with my guitars. It was a legit, playing and sounding guitar. It's pegged a travel guitar now. I did a lot of gigs with mine back in the day.
The only bad thing about this guitar is that too many people call it a travel guitar. But it's really not, it's a guitar on its own.
You made a lovely review! Your smile and enthusiasm is very contagious!
Agreed, these Steinberger guitars are not toys, these are serious gigging guitars, how do I know? I've already done one live jam gig with mine and they do the job fine, just like a regular guitar.
Hello Rachel! Yes, you are correct, the original Steinberger guitars from the 80’s were made of carbon fiber, and often go for about $3,000 or so if you can find them these days. Steinberger did the reissue in wood, hence the name “Spirit”. I have both the guitar, and the bass. The leg rest original was plastic, and did break, and the Spirit has a metal rest. As for the tuners, yes, they can be a little hard to turn. The tuner for the floating bridge can be tuned as well, by taking a little pressure off of the bridge by moving by hand. The double-ball end strings are hard to find, but there is a string adapter available for normal strings. Have fun with your guitar! This is one of the most iconic guitars of its time =)
David Bowie had one, I love how it looks!
I love your enthusiasm, its awesome to see people so psyched about music and music related things. I smile every time I watch your videos.
Dear Manufacturers: Please bury Rachel's house in free gear. Let her enthusiasm rub off on your products and therefore increase your sales. Sincerely, your potential customer.
Haha, no free gear yet, but I wouldn't complain! :)
David Woods or bury mine and I'll try to be exactly like rachel..
David Woods i like where you are going with this
@@RachelfGuitar poopoo
what a simp
YOU ARE SO FREAKIN COOL!!!!
I've stopped being stoked on guitar after 7 years, but your videos make me want to play again.
+Thomas Sanchez :), thank you and glad to hear that!
Just back from Thailand, visiting friends and staying in Temple in Chang Mai with my friends and the monks (amazing experience) after that leaving to Japan, first Osaka and cycling from Onomichi to Imabari, with the ferry to Hiroshima, after that to Tokyo ...and back to the Netherlands with a lot of great memory's. Back home, after months of searching (on-line) for the right guitar to play with at home and travel, i was looking at this video wich gave me the "ok" to buy one..thanks for your inspiration and enthusiasm !!
I know this video is old, but, I love her enthusiasm, just adorable and cranked out some nasty riffs. AWESOME!
My god she is so happy it makes me happy love your vids
I think it's a great idea showing some of your holiday in Japan. Have a safe and happy holiday.
Awesome, thank you! :)
I remember when these guitars were appearing in bands during the 80s, they were seen as being really cool and used more for their light weight format Vs being a travel guitar. I think they came in a Bass format first. The simple style suited the new wave look for many bands. Still look very cool today.
Wow, I think the middle pickup alone and the song choice for that pickup was really well chosen....they went together so well I think that rif sounded the best by far! :)
Thank you! Yeah, I spent a little more time on that one and used the same amp setting on all the others. In retrospect probably should have changed the others a bit!
It may make a good travel guitar (better than some instruments marketed as travel guitars) but the iconic Steinberger is a (now) classic instrument design which has appeared in numerous music videos and concert stages, particularly in the 1980's.
0:36. Every guitarists worst nightmare: loss of calluses.
Loved it! 30 year guitarist here! Gonna buy me one!
Great review Rachelf! have a great trip and be sure to bring home some awesome vids!!
Thanks so much! Will try :)
I bought one of those after lung surgery when I needed something lightweight that wouldn't pull too much on my right side. I don't play it all that often any more, but it sits in my office at work and certainly sparks some conversations.
My god, you look so happy that I am happy for you!
Guuuurrrrll you are AWESOME!!!!!!!! Having watched your progress video and your gear demo, I’m truly blown away!!!
She’s absolutely correct. And it’s a tough and durable axe too. Mine is over 10 years old and has been abused, traveled and flown many many miles home and abroad, and has been left in hot cars, cold garages, flown in overhead airplane bins, outdoors, camping tents, and is still in perfect shape. Get a micro cube battery powered amp and this guitar and you have an extremely easy “grab and go” rig for informal jams and campfire gatherings. I’ve used it in live band gigs. Gets a lot of attention, too!
A couple of pretty big names are associated with that style of guitar (and the bass model): Buck Dharma of Blue Oyster Cult and Paul Masvidal of Cynic both used a different model of Steinberger with a more "traditionally-shaped" body. Geddy Lee of Rush used the bass model a lot through the 80s. Steinberger even has a cool trem system that changes the pitch of the strings uniformly so that you can bend entire chords while keeping them in tune, and Eddie Van Halen used that a bit in the 90s.
Surprised that it's so inexpensive. Steinberger are definitely the innovators of the whole "headless" thing. Strandberg makes some really, really nice headless guitars and they're probably the guitars I'm most interested in getting (plus they have 7 and 8 string models :D)
Cool, thanks for the information! I had seen that Eddie Van Halen had used Steinberger guitars before as well. This one is their most entry level model and is made in China, probably accounting for the lower cost.
I think Strandberg guitars are really cool! Maybe someday will get one :)
You had the best review. It was quick and to the point and in depth. Some of these fancier edited videos don’t even come close to your review. Can’t wait to get mine.
Rachel, I finally got myself one of these in white also. ive been playing for 30 years and I have always loved these. Keep the updates coming!
One year ago I finally decided buying this guitar watching you were playing the guitar.
So now I playing this guitar day after day.😅
It is so useful for play in a car.
Dear Rachel, thank you for taking the time breaking down the Steinberger Spirit. Because of your breakdown of the guitar, and a few others, I bought one for myself for the same reason. I’m a traveling sales person who’s been playing guitar for many years, and wanted something that I could keep my chops up, but also have something that I might be able to bring with me to an open mike night when traveling. With this, along with my Boss GT-1 effects pedal, I’m now set. Thank you very much for this demonstration. Well done. Regards, Tom D.
I recently bought one of these. The middle single coil pickup got in the way of my pick, so I removed it, and I replaced the 5-way switch with an exact fitting 3-way switch. It doesn't look too good with the missing pickup, but it's more comfortable for me to play and I can switch on both humbuckers.
I have an original white GT2 with Trans Trem. It fits diagonally in my suitcase and flies in the baggage section. So far, so good. I love it! I wish you the best of luck with yours.
Len J
I do the web stuff for a big mom and pop store and I have viewed hundreds of UA-cam demos... and you are spot on... if this was your first one, you are seriously kicking ass right out of the chute... This review is better than most other for this model out there... go go go
You’re awesome Rachel
+Domonick Matheson :), thank you!
There is an adapter that goes onto the top of the headpiece that allows for single ball strings. I got one on eBay for mine. Super easy to use - no real installation necessary.
Yeah, I may get one in the future :)
It's about $8
What is the adapter called?
@@EdU-op3kt < Here is what is listed on eBay: Steinberger String Adapters - Headless Hohner Cort - Bass or Guitar.
Nice guitar 🎸 definitely thinking of getting it!
Good overview of the Steinberger Spirit. These are great guitars for the price. If you upgrade the pickups it can work very well as a professional instrument. Although it does make an excellent travel guitar the design was originally leaning toward the ergonomic aspects. Hohner makes a slightly higher priced version which I own and am completely satisfied with. Hohner offers some really nice finishes such as natural wood (oil finish). I got mine after hearing and seeig the amazing guitarist Mick Goodrick using a Hohner G3T for several years. The last model Steinberger was making before Gibson bought them out was the Steinberger Synapse. It's definitely a more professional instrument with slight design changes, 2 EMG active humbuckers, improved hardware which takes double ball end or regular strings of your choice, the neck is reinforced with graphite and a phenolic resin fingerboard (feels & looks like ebony). It's too bad Gibson stopped making them... but at least they still have the 2 Spirit models. I have a Hohner, a Synapse and would still consider getting the same Spirit model which you have as a good backup that I could experiment using different pickups on. That locking bridge works incredibly well. I don't use much whammy bar in my playing but this makes it SO easy to switch back & forth. Again, a great and honest review. It would be hard to find a guitar with better balance in this price range. ...and ends up travelling really well too! :-)
The Synapse does seem like a really cool instrument as well! Thanks! :)
I just ordered my lefty version. Being a lefty, it might take 6 months to arrive however. Hope you enjoyed Japan. I live in Hiroshima, come for a visit next time.
its double sided.
Congrats on the new guitar. I getting an Italia LP style Fiberglass guitar next month for Christmas. So I know what it is like to get new gear and be excited. Enjoy it girl. Your videos is so postive. And you play much better than I do. You go girl and rock on. God bless you.
I first saw steinberger guitar around year 1987,Paul Stanley of Kiss played one in some videoclip of the group and never had the chance to buy one because were extremely expensive and totally unavailable in Greece.Hohner were somehow cheaper but still unaffordable.But for sure i am gonna get one to my self in my age of 50 as something that has left unfulfiled from my teenage years.
Your playing has improved a lot since you first started. Out of curiosity, which online guitar lessons did you use?
+Randy Jackson Thanks! You can checkout my video on how I learn songs, I listed a bunch of resources in the description there.
Thanks. I figured you had them listed somewhere, I just wasn't sure where.
Yousician
Christian Jackson Well she's better than you and your shit cover of blackened.
Professor Brand good one 😂
Wow, that neck pickup sounds awesome!
Your review is so positive and cool! I’m really encouraged to (heh) pick up an HSS version of they’ve got it. Thanks!
Ash
Great video, Rachel. Even we older beginners.....who travel.....will find your review helpful. Kudos!!
I really appreciate these guitars. They show the wood doesn't matter other than for climate reasons. On an electric guitar, the pickups and Speakers matter most.
The internet needs more people like this.
You have such a good attitude 😄😄😄your smile is contagious keep up the great videos 👍👍👍
steinbergers are awesome, don't really get why they aren't as much as popular as other minimal models.
I don't really consider it a travel guitar but rather an instrument meant for rock, metal and fusion \m/
That's mostly because of rampant conservatism in the musical instrument industry.
Thank you for the review. Please do one when you get back. Would be real interesting to hear what you think after having it on the road for a bit. Keep the videos coming!
It is obviously good to have a travel instrument and keep in practice, but I don't think you'll lose your calluses. I was in prison from 2004 to 2007 and I didn't lose mine. They got a bit smaller, but not to the point that it hurt to play when I got home. They came back completely within a couple weeks.
+Adam Rainstopper Mine seem to start going away even after just a week for some reason! But not completely for sure.
Really? Maybe it's just a matter of passing a certain number of years of playing, and/or the difference in action and string tension with different guitars, like your solid body electric guitars are not going to give you the thick calluses that you'd get with an old beat up acoustic dreadnought. I was kind of a train-hopping street musician for my teenage years, all I had was an Ovation Matrix (basically before there was Applause, there was the cheap "Matrix" series with big square frets and some weird polymer fingerboards and very high action) which I spent several hours every day playing first position chords to accompany my voice telling strangers things that they probably didn't want to know . . . . . . although they did throw their change in my case... I learned on that thing, and it literally made my fingers bleed during the first few months. It had a really sweet sound when I put new strings on it though.
Adam Rainstopper woo hoo! Prison! Ya baby! I love prison!
I take it they wouldn't let you have a guitar in prison,?
Rachel you have inspired me greatly. I have been taking extra jobs on the weekends to buy an electric guitar. I thank you. Have fun in Japan!
So glad to hear that! Best of luck getting your guitar! :)
This girl is a history lesson in a good way
Rachelf ROCKS!!!
Hi Rachel, I managed to buy myself a Steinberger Spirit GT Pro Deluxe guitar like yours, but in Frosted Blue, anyway, I wasn't too thrilled about the 46-10 gauge strings that came factory fitted with mine, and since double ball-end strings are more expensive than single ball-end strings, I opted to buy a special Brass single ball-end string adaptor for my Steinberger, I would highly recommend buying one since it allows you to use a wider range of string brands and gauges on your guitar, also if you do decide to use single ball-end strings make sure you apply some solder to the twists that keep the single ball attached to the string so they don't slip and make the string go flat under tension.
wow . thanks for such a complete review. you even gave great ideas for a portable. amp. thanks a lot!!
Looking forward to a follow up review when you get back. Thanks for sharing the journey with us.
The daughter I never had. I like the new blue Steinbergers. Fun fact, back in 1970 I bought a Vox distortion booster that plugged into my guitar jack for $10 new. How far effects have come since then!
You really have SUPER-GOOD taste in choosing musical instrument~ This unusual looking headless guitar was designed in the early Eighties, salute to Mr. Ned Steinberger. He's the man!
Great review, Rachel. Very informative, focused and straight to the point. Keep it up.
I have one too. Steinberger rules!
You can get a Vox plug in headphone amp for travel too, check them out!! 😄
To protect the neck you can buy pipe insulation for large size pipe at home Depot and put a piece on it while traveling. To protect the head from bouncing around.
People keep bringing up the "Travel Guitar" aspect, which is just one of its great perks, but what find curious is I never see them using the awesome whammy bar which can be set up for lefty or right-handed players! I bought mine to be played during the 80's set of my cover band. The authenticity will be awesome. These guitars do require some getting used to.
I've yet to see a video where she isn't smiling. Infectious enthusiasm for sure. Keep up the great work! New sub here.
I have one just like it. They loosen up after awhile. Love this guitar.
I'm so jealous u going to Japan for a whole month. That would be my #1 place to travel to next. Nice guitar and I love the leg rest feature. I have the same amp plug and it sounds surprising amazing for such a small device. Anyways, I hope you have a fun and safe trip and as always, I look forward to hearing more covers from u once you're back. Oh, I would def be interested in seeing footage from Japan!
+Huy Tran Thank you, I'm excited! Been saving up vacation days for a while. The amp does sound quite good for what it is! Thanks again :)
The other version of the Spirit is SSH pickup configuration. Been wanting one for years for exactly the same reason.
HSS
Fun - I have just the same thing, and it’s been all over the world! Excellent choice.
Some notes: when you change the strings, you’ll find that the bridge is held in place by string tension - each string has a separate piece - so it’s best to do one string at a time. (Mine is also a bit tough to tune - but it does stay in tune!)
They make string adapters that fit at the head of the neck; I’ve owned two - but can’t recommend them - I never used them - they are small dull black parts, and I always lose them before I’ve needed them.
Cool, thanks for the tips!
Small suggestion about the tuning screws. Someone else online suggested putting graphite on the bridge tuning screw threads in order to make them easier to turn. He used the lead from a pencil for the graphite.
You’ve quickly gone up in subscriber quantity. I’ve been with you from the beginning. I’m happy for you, Rach. Keep up the fabulous work.
Thank you so much! :)
The older Spirits were HSS configuration on the pickups. I've got a 2003 model (Korean-made - sold by Gibson via MusicYo) and still pick it up quite often.
I own one of the Spirit Ying/Yang ☯️ (Discontinued model) and I Love it, but it took some time to get used to it. I am now and it was easy to lay it down and grab one of my Les Paul Guitars 🎸 and jam away, then go back to the Steinberger and Jam it out. Have fun and enjoy your time away, as they say in Show business Break a Leg 🦵 but don't really break a leg. 🎸👍☮️🇺🇸👏🙏
You probably know by now : ) but the tuning system has a tuning key tool, that helps turn the tuning system.
Your attitude will take you as far as you want to go young lady. Solid player. Those two things will get you the gigs.
I swear to god, the amount you love this shit makes me love it even more than I already did. I'm gonna go learn the Tornado of Souls solo now. You should too!
thanks for nice review!
hope you enjoyed visiting Japan.
Excellent demo! My daughter lives in a big city. This looks like the perfect axe for toting around the city.
Hi Rachel, thank you so much for this review.
Now that 5 years passed since you initially reviewed the Spirit GT-Pro, can you please comment on your current satisfaction from using it?
How did the guitar serve you while you were traveling in Japan? Did you enjoy playing it then and do you still enjoy playing it now?
I'm also considering purchasing a Steinberger Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe and would very much appreciate your "after 5 years" revisit of the original review 🙏
Also, small aesthetic question, is the white color of the body "pure" white or is is a little off-white?
Since I don't have a local music store that sells Steinberger guitars my only option is to order the guitar from an online store without the option to view the colors in real life.
Thanks for the review. Very complete. I didn't know it has a switch on the bridge to alternate between fixed and floating. That is very cool.
Hi I'm from Indonesia, really like this type of guitar
Just got one because of your video!!! Thanks and Rock on!!!
Can't wait to see what you do in Japan!
+Ulthar W/thumbs Thanks! :)
Wait... takes us with you! LOL
Now, this is how a review is done! 👍
I played one of the early Steinbergers back in the '80s & was very impressed, it's good to see they're still around (although not quite the same as you pointed out). A company called Headway also produced a similar instrument, the Riverhead... it had an angular body instead of the rectangular Steinberger design.
Enjoy your travels miss!
Cool, will check that out! Thank you!
Congratulation for that beautiful guitar. I see that you kept the stock pickups. They make this guitar sounds like a Steinberger ! I see a lot of owner changing them and then, it sounds like any other guitar. Sad ! The only option would be the EMG 89 I believe (hope I don't make a mistake). These EMGs were installed on old Steinberger models in the 80's and 90's (~). Have fun !
love it! Safe travels! keep playing!
Almost 1 month trip to Japan?! awesome :D!
Yeah! Going for 3 weeks, pretty excited! :)
so cool! will you share bits of the trip on your socials? let us know :)
+EpicZEVEN Will definitely be posting on intagram frequently and then hopefully a video on this channel when I'm back!
Rachelf Hey girl, I’ve been meaning to ask you & I keep forgetting....what is your profession? If you’ve said before, then I missed it. Thnx!!
You rock young lady
I'ts so great to see your evolution and hapiness, my dear!!!! Stay Heavy!!
Thank you! :) \m/
I'll be taking delivery of a black Spirit on June 15/20. Six weeks since I ordered it, but less than the 8-12 weeks that was quoted. I had a Hohner G3T (HSS) copy many years ago and didn't like the sound of the pickups so I traded it off. Early this year I decided I needed (wanted) another one, and the Steinberger is cheaper than the 35 yr old copies are now.
I have an AmPlug, too, the AC30 version, and yes, it is an amazing wee amp. It takes pedals just fine. Sometimes I'll take it and headphone to try out guitars so I don't embarrass myself :D
I enjoyed your video, and I hope you had a smashing good time time on your trip!
Love your enthusiasm I just purchased the hot rod red.I’ve wanted one of these for years.hope I like it.
That guitar is so badass! Oh and my friend stumbled upon one of ur vids and told me that he thinks you and me look alike, as if ur my sister, haha :)
+RhodrynTRK Haha that's cool! Thanks for watching!
Hey i have one the original black synsonic single humbuck like that
I recognized you from your RockSmith 2014 60 Day Challenge. My Grandchildren are going to learn using that. I gave them 4 guitars, 1 acoustic. 1 electric acoustic and 2 electric guitars. I had given up on trying to learn but their enthusiasm has challenged me to try again. After researching what electric guitar to buy I am against Gibson style with the neck break. A Fender might work for me but I wanted to find a headless guitar and check them out. Low and behold there you were again. The local travel guitars only had one pickup and it wasn't a Humbucker so I wanted to find one with 2 Humbuckers and yours has that and more. If only I can find that guitar in a kit where I can install the best pickups and hardware I can buy. It would be great if it came in a 7 & 8 string guitar set up too. Not sure if RockSmith will accommodate a 7 or 8 string guitar though but I need a guitar to play with my Grandchildren on RockSmith.
I have owned 3 steinbergers.
They put out excellent product.
The only problem I had was finding strings. The licensed steinbergers strings were too long and the only place who carried the proper fitting strings was on the other side of town, about an hour and a half from where I live.
I have a Vox amPlug Metal Amp, really useful little device for practicing in my small bedroom where i don't have enough room for an amp and to plug in headphones so I don't annoy my flat mates
+jacob1006 Nice, it is a cool device!
If you're going to Tokyo you should definitely check out ESP Craft House in Shibuya. That place is like my home away from home. I bought so many picks that I had to get an album too. My all-time favourite band is the GazettE and they have their model guitars there. It's really cool.
+Junkiru Thanks for the suggestion! It looks really cool, will try to make it there!
KILLED IT!!!
NICELY done! Safe travels!
Thank you!
Your playing is smoothing out and relaxed. Love it. KEEP IT UP!!
Thanks so much!
Great video Rachelf. I love my Steinberger Pro as well and I also have a Hohner G2T headless and use these as my main guitars. Have fun in Japan is you have not been yet and again.. GREAT VIDEO!!! ❤️️👍🏾
Awesome!!! Thanks! Great review!
Great review, thanks 🙌
Fantastic video. Great job! I look forward to your next gear video....