Steinberger back at it again?

[LeftyJ]

Ned Steinberger just announced a limited production carbon composite multiscale 6-string . According to someone on Reddit they're only making 12. I'm afraid to find out what it's going to cost. 

 

NS Fin

 

 

Edited November 3 by LeftyJ

[rOB]

Really interested to hear more

[tauzero]

They say it'll only be 12 on the web page you linked to.

 

Quote

This special model is made in Detroit, Michigan by Sankuer Composite Technologies, noted in the auto and music industry for producing carbon fiber products to the highest standard.  Production from the SCT6 FIN Bass Guitar mold will be limited to twelve units, after which the mold will be permanently retired.

 

However, there will be more non-limited edition ones, presumably 5-strings as well as 6, as they say it's a new generation rather than just the limited edition model.

 

Quote

WELCOME to the debut of a new generation of bass guitars designed by Ned Steinberger. NS FIN Basses are headless multiscale instruments that harness the latest advances in electric guitar technology.

 

[Dazed]

I like it, I’d prefer switchable pickups than the 5 way. Price tag will be interesting 

[tauzero]

Not sure about the strap button positioning. The front one will tend to tip the bass forward, the rear one is presumably placed there so it doesn't push the bass to the left but it means either putting the strap over the front (ugly), over the rear (will tip it forward), or running it along the end/side round the point which would have exactly the same effect as putting the strap button close to the point.

 

Still, if there's only going to be 12 of them, they'll all finish up in display cases so NS can come up with a slightly revised design more aimed at playing than looking good (and I do think it looks good although I'm sure there will be a fair few disagreeing with me there).

[EMG456]

Fortunately for me I have all the Steinbergers I need (want?) and I don't really get on with fan frets but it's good to see Ned playing around with all composite construction again.

I wonder if the bridge pieces are individual versions of the cutting/ clamping bridge in the Radius basses?

[Misdee]

I wish someone would resume production of the classic Steinberger models at the quality level of the originals, like Ernie Ball did with Musicman.

 

I've got a Status Graphite Streamline, but it's a very different sound to the Steinberger L2. That was a unique tone, and I've always loved it.

Edited November 4 by Misdee

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

I'd love one of these it'd be just the thing for belting out Mustang Sally down the Dog & Duck.

[Cairobill]

I love the idea of some proper full carbon Steinies coming back into production but I am not convinced by fan frets. Having owned a Dingwall sixer I certainly won some but I also lost some and much prefer a straight 34inch scale six string. Let's have a 4, 5 and 6 at 34inch scale across the board please Mr Steinberger...

[EMG456]

20 hours ago, Misdee said:

I wish someone would resume production of the classic Steinberger models at the quality level of the originals, like Ernie Ball did with Musicman.

 

I've got a Status Graphite Streamline, but it's a very different sound to the Steinberger L2. That was a unique tone, and I've always loved it.

 

17 hours ago, Cairobill said:

I love the idea of some proper full carbon Steinies coming back into production but I am not convinced by fan frets. Having owned a Dingwall sixer I certainly won some but I also lost some and much prefer a straight 34inch scale six string. Let's have a 4, 5 and 6 at 34inch scale across the board please Mr Steinberger...

 

I don't think we're going to see that I'm afraid. The original Steinberger blend composite necks and neck/ bodies in the case of the L series were custom layups with the carbon fibres hand laid into the mould in particular orientations and patterns to give strength and rigidity with the desired characteristics. That is a very labour intensive method of production and would be extremely costly today. This limited edition looks like it uses the Carbon mat weave "exoskeleton" process similar to Status Graphite or Parker guitars did. Still nice but not exactly the same as the original Steinbergers.

 

Ned has talked before about bringing out an updated range of instruments based on the aesthetic/ ergonomics of the original L series and indeed is pictured with a prototype on the cover of Jim Reilly's biography

 

He talks about both wood and all composite versions so who knows but I suspect that a wood with carbon reinforcements version like the Radius instruments is the most likely to see the light of day.

[NikNik]

Looks like a Washburn Bantam.

 

Does Gibson still own the right to the old L Steiny design? If not, Ned really should start making them again. That would really sort of those Japanese collectors.

 

EDIT: He'd have to make the blanks and the moulds again. 

Edited November 6 by NikNik