bassmayhem Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 I've had a crush on Steinberger basses since the early 80's. I got my first, a fretless lined L2 in 1984, in Hamburg at Bernhard Kurzke's Music Center N:o 1. It was an early one with three digit serial number. I owned that bass until 2006, when I sold it to a nice guy in Berlin. After a few years the itch started, so I got another one, an XL2 1986, but I traded it in a weak moment. Then I got my third: a 5 string XL25, but I couldn't cope with the VERY narrow string spacing, so that one went on a one way trip too. Then I found a nice four string XL2 from 1984 here on BassChat and bought it. It is in pristine condition, but it had a serious failure when I was preparing for a gig: one of the threads in the bridge/tuner broke... Anyway, I have changed all the tuner parts for new made in much better material and construction, bought from https://www.headlessusa.com/bass-jaws I kept all the original parts in a drawer, but they are really worn out. Now the bass works as a dream; I also bought the string adapter from them, not the ugly ones you see here: https://www.headlessusa.com/string-adaptrrs but a black sleek model that looks like it belongs on the bass. The bass has the old style detachable leg rest; I believe this is one of the so called transition models, with some DNA from the L2 and some from the XL2. But... I don't use the bass. It just stands there in all its glory. I also try to thin out the stock and only keep the basses I really use. I tend to go to two of my five strings most of the time. I am seriously thinking about selling it, but I'm not sure about that. The value on these basses is steadily increasing, so selling it may be a very bad idea economically. (Or maybe not.) Also there is some affectionate value, but not that hard, since this isn't The One I got when I was young and hungry; now I am only old and well fed. So my question is: What would you do? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 8 minutes ago, bassmayhem said: I also try to thin out the stock You won't free up much space by selling it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmayhem Posted May 29, 2021 Author Share Posted May 29, 2021 1 hour ago, Ricky Rioli said: You won't free up much space by selling it.... Well, it could make a foundation for a home studio... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 That's my old XL2. Keep it, it's a truly wonderful bass guitar 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
three Posted May 29, 2021 Share Posted May 29, 2021 This passed through my hands too I think - a superb example but unplayable to me - as much as I loved the unique tone (and brilliant industrial design), the ergonomics just didn’t work at all. As much as it was a stunning ornament, I’d certainly be in the sell camp (indeed, I did!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itu Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 I see here a functional travel bass. I know the neck profile isn't for me, but a similar bass could travel with me to the cottage or even some work trips. I will acquire or build something similar in the future, serious full scale, and small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozkerr Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 I have a modern copy - an XT25 that I bought from Gear4Music a few years ago. I just wanted a travel bass, and it's great for that - light, small and easy to lug about. Nice tone, too. On the downside, it's an ergonomic nightmare. Horrendous neck dive and an awkward playing position even with a strap extender fitted. Back in the years BC (Before Covid) I used to take it to London on work trips and use it to work on new songs, which I'd then polish up on my Jazz when I got home. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMG456 Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 If you need the money sell it. If not, keep. That's my take on selling instruments that you enjoy. My Steinbergers will be amongst the last to go when/ if I ever decide to downsize/ thin out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 13 minutes ago, EMG456 said: My Steinbergers will be amongst the last to go I like a steinberger, which ones have you got EMG 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 Not the same level, but I had one of the Hohner 80’s ones. Bloody loved it - one of the best sounding basses I’ve recorded with. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 These headless basses are cool and retro and sound great. Like Andy I’ve had a Hohner, recent reissue and a Yamaha 80s headless. All awesome 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMG456 Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 (edited) 8 hours ago, Reggaebass said: I like a steinberger, which ones have you got EMG 🙂 I have an L2 that I bought new in the 80s. It was my main bass for about 12 years during the busiest period of my playing career. Joined later on by a matching L2 fretless. Joined later again by an XL2T- XL2 with the Trans Trem bridge. And finally joined later by an XL5W- the wide necked 5 String. I'm not going to count the Status 6 that Rob built for me in the Steinberger form while I was still looking for a 5'er! Pics if you like that sort of thing are all in this post Graphite (Steinberger vs Status) - Page 2 - Bass Guitars - Basschat Edited May 30, 2021 by EMG456 Add link to pics 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted May 30, 2021 Share Posted May 30, 2021 19 minutes ago, EMG456 said: Pics if you like that sort of thing are all in this post Graphite (Steinberger vs Status) - Page 2 - Bass Guitars - Basschat Thanks emg, great collection, really nice basses 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted May 31, 2021 Share Posted May 31, 2021 If you want to free up space, sell the piano🤣 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmayhem Posted May 31, 2021 Author Share Posted May 31, 2021 1 hour ago, Grahambythesea said: If you want to free up space, sell the piano🤣 Well, the piano belongs to the Missus... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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