Does anyone have a Steinberger Spirit XT?

[machinehead]

On 15/07/2024 at 19:25, Raslee said:

Anyone got any strap hooks for sale ? 

I have one of my early designs left (not much different to the later ones) that you can have.  You might have to file a little bit to make it fit over the existing strap button, but it's easily done.  It is the same length as the later ones so should balance the bass well.

Frank.

[Raslee]

16 hours ago, machinehead said:

I have one of my early designs left (not much different to the later ones) that you can have.  You might have to file a little bit to make it fit over the existing strap button, but it's easily done.  It is the same length as the later ones so should balance the bass well.

Frank.

Oh wow, I’ll PM you 😊

[Schwarzwald]

Update

 

Anyway, just in case anyone finds this thread while considering getting an XT2...

 

Having bought online, received an ex-factory dud (fret level issues), then returned for repair via the retailer's local shop: I got the plank back in much better shape. Some fret levelling has apparently been done on it. It plays much better, though the action for me (a guitar player) feels a little high at around 3mm at 12th. But I'm also just not used to the tension in long scale basses ("my other bass is a shorty").

 

So, for anyone considering this guitar from a position of relative ignorance like me: go for it, but prepare for QC issues from factory. Consider ordering for delivery to a physical outlet and trying it out for issues. Yes, the ergonomics are a bit weird, but that's going to bother you less if you're not coming from basses with horns and waists. It sounds great to me, some people moan about low output, but I don't get that sense from DI'ing it. It seems to snap, pop and growl a bit according to how you set the pick up mix and tone.

 

Best things about it: you don't need a stand, you're not going to inadvertently clear your desk or break your engineer's nose with a swinging headstock. And it looks cool when it's insouciantly resting to the side of a rack of 80s synths.  

 

 

[Angelus]

Love mine, had for four years now and have the D tuner like yours, but the most uncomfortable thing to play standing up. Fine sitting down, but moves about 12” to the left as soon as you stand up and put the strap on.  I’m going to have to look for the strap extension hook, as I’d love to gig it more. 

[crazycloud]

2 hours ago, Angelus said:

I’m going to have to look for the strap extension hook, as I’d love to gig it more.

A piece of flat steel, say 10mm wide by 2mm thick, 300 or so mm long with 3 holes drilled in it, one extra on the body and 15 mins work. Not difficult with even basic hand tools and costs maybe $5. Most of the time will be spent working out the length of the bar, it's positioning above the neck line etc to place the bass at the angle and reach you want. A friend can be a big help here to hold it whilst mocking it up with the bar and gaffer tape.

 

The real hidden beauty of this mod is that you can place the bass exactly where you prefer it and you're not limited by the bass shape and the position of stock strap pin locations. The original pivot plate is genius but unnecessary once 'you' have it positioned where you like it relative to your body.

 

If I extract my digit, I may do this to one of mine next w/e as I'm going to change the PUs as well as fix the dogs breakfast of wiring it came with. I need the pots (mail order as I'm rural) and the steel bar from the metal shop near the shed I use.