lowregisterhead

Dear Points Of View... why, oh why, oh why do people always pidgeonhole Steinbergers as "80's basses"?? I might be interested if you're including a mullet wig and a pair of legwarmers in the sale, though... Another Steinberger owner P.S. You could try posting on the Steinbergerworld group on Yahoo, or the much-maligned eBay, of course - I sold an L2 on there not long ago. You should still get at least 1500, as long as you're willing to ship to Europe. [quote name='Pete Academy' post='761482' date='Mar 2 2010, 08:21 AM']I've been considering selling my 1983 Steinberger L2, serial number 610. Steinberger sticker logo (not stamped) and push-in knee rest. I changed the single tone pot for an EMG bass/treble active stacked and have unfortunately lost the original pot and knob. It's well gigged. This bass is the actual one featured in the Tony Bacon 'Ultimate Guitar Book', as I loaned them the instrument for it. I was hoping for a couple of grand, but that might be a bit optimistic in the current economic climate. I would consider a swap for a nice 70s Jazz, preferably maple neck with pearl block inlays. If anyone is remotely interested, I can put pics up. 80s covers band anyone? [/quote]

[quote name='bassatnight' post='741704' date='Feb 11 2010, 08:02 AM']Looking for a Trade for my all Black Status 5 Graphite String Fretless, just can't get on with 5 strings as much as I have tried so looking for a 4 stringer. Would prefer a lined fretless but open to anything fretted or otherwise (within reason) I have a gas for Fender, Musicman, and just about anything decent - try me! Steve.[/quote] Nice bass. Would it be impolite of me to point out that you've missed a bit painting behind your radiator??

[quote name='Cairobill' post='742117' date='Feb 11 2010, 02:22 PM']They look unique but feel and sound great...killer necks, loads of sustain and a pure warm tone that isn't 'graphitey' in a sterile way.[/quote] True! I've owned a Status S2, and a couple of Stingrays with graphite necks over the years, and they all had that nasal mid-range bark that the Steinberger just doesn't suffer from. Design? Materials? Who knows - it's just a great bass. Right... that's it... withdrawn from sale! I knew this would happen once I started discussing all its good points...

[quote name='Stacker' post='742103' date='Feb 11 2010, 02:01 PM']Ebay, for me, is getting more and more dodgy. with people breaking payment instructions, doing unwarranted chargebacks on PayPal (cos they've decided they don't like the item or had a spat with the seller) and maliciously getting auctions taken down. I'm seriosuly thinking about not using it for selling any longer. Shill bidding - as the Seppos call it - is becoming rife over here, too, and I've been on the end of that. Incidentally, when I finally got my old XL2A back in my hands via ebay, I noticed that the only guy that was bidding against me in the last few minutes turned out to be a guy would bought and sold mobile phones and software; not [i]once[/i] did he buy a guitar or bass! Go figure! Anyway, I digress. Much better to have a forum like this to trade on. Have you also tried the Steinbgrger goup on [url="http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/steinberger_world/"]Yahoo?[/url] ?[/quote] I did try posting on the Yahoo Steinberger group, but didn't get much of a response, and this from supposed Steinberger nuts. Perhaps I'm just destined to keep it for now...

[quote name='lapolpora' post='741291' date='Feb 10 2010, 06:38 PM']Somebody, somewhere is dying to have this and will pay your asking price for it....you just need to find 'em and best of luck with that. Something tells me that might be a collector in Japan. I'd consider putting it on Ebay (International) at the original asking price if only to raise awareness of it, and to direct potential buyers to make you an offer here or TB if it doesn't sell. I bought a 4 string XL2 in December and I'm so happy with it - an absolute monster bass. However it's not my everyday bass and I haven't taken it on a jazz gig yet If anyone told me and my 'Berg to F off they'd get the same back. [/quote] I've thought about it, and it's a bit scary - it always feels to me as if you sort of lose control of the sale once it's on eBay. If I put a high price on it, there's also the issue of the cost of listing it, with a reserve, even if it doesn't sell. If I enter into negotiation via a forum, there's a bit more room for maneuver for both parties, and the process helps to ease you gently into accepting that the bass will soon no longer be yours! Another problem is that discussing this on an open forum may result in my talking myself out of selling altogether...

[quote name='greyparrot' post='741237' date='Feb 10 2010, 05:40 PM']OK. Where did you get it then? and how much for? how many have been made? I had a stunning spector redwood that was 4k only 24 ever made. Was a nightmare to sell.[/quote] Do I detect a hint of sarcasm? Ok then... (1) America (2) More than my missus was happy with (3) About 50. As fabulous a bass as a Spector is, I'm not sure it's quite as iconic as the Steinberger, but probably more generally acceptable. I've called all the Steinbergers I've owned (and I've had 5 of them over the years) my Marmite basses... you either love 'em, or you hate 'em. And some people REALLY hate 'em! A mate who is a real vintage nut came over to have a look at one of my first Steinbergers because he'd never seen one in the flesh. I asked him what he thought. "Shouldn't be allowed" he said, slightly tongue in cheek, but added that if he turned up to do a gig with a Steinberger for any of the bands he worked with, he'd be told in no uncertain terms to f*ck off and come back with a real bass. That must be the liberal, open-minded, creative demeanour that we've all come to know and love in the music industry at work, then.

[quote name='bassaussie' post='740699' date='Feb 10 2010, 10:16 AM']I've got an L2 as well, and feel much the same. It's a classic. LRH - you seem confused about why there's no response, but it's been pointed out to you. Steinbergers are collectible, but like any collectible, there's a threshold to their value. I realise you feel very strongly about how nice your bass is, but just because you feel that way doesn't mean everyone else does, and regardless of some of the prices we see attached to vintage instruments these days, anyone buying a piece like this wants to believe they're paying around the market value. I'm really curious as to how you arrived at your valuation. I believe you originally wanted £6000, you've now lowered that by 25% to £4500. Were you advised to price the bass this way, or did you come to these values yourself? I don't mean this as a criticism, it's just that you obviously want to sell the bass, yet you're confused by something that I think appears fairly obvious to everyone else.[/quote] Thanks for your thoughts, but I'm not at all confused about there being no offers, as it's a very niche instrument, and will appeal only to a small percentage of players. I did receive a fairly respectable offer the last time I posted, but I decided to turn it down. What I had expected was a bit more reaction, comment and conversation about the nature of the beast itself, where it came from, even what it cost me. It's an unusual thing, after all. The first figure I put it up for was, you could say, speculative. Being as rare as it is, I had thought that perhaps the very fact one of these had turned up for sale would spark some serious interest, even if it was only within a small group of enthusiasts, who I know exist. The price was based on what I feel it's worth to me, although that's not to say I wouldn't consider a lower offer, but unless it was a figure I was completely happy with, I will simply keep the bass, and perhaps offer it for sale in a year or two when the economic situation improves. Thanks for your interest - y'see... this is what I meant! :-)

Eighty-odd views and no comments? I'd welcome your observations (with the exception of "too many strings" or "too much money" obviously...) :-)

Sorry - all the talk about how great these basses are has made me reconsider, and I've decided to withdraw it. Thanks for all the positive comments! ------------------------------------------------------------ WITHDRAWN Offered for sale is one of the original carbon graphite composite Steinbergers - an exceptionally rare XL-5W ('wide 5') bass. As many of you will know, you just don't see these for sale, as they only made about 50 of them. There are some 5-string versions of the X-2 and XL-2 out there, which were basically standard width 4-string necks with head and bridge conversions to somehow cram the 5th string on, resulting in a very narrow string spacing, but the XL-5W was built as a 5-string, and therefore has a very comfortable 17mm spacing. The previous owner rescued it from a shop in the States, and had work done at the Peekamoose workshops in New York to make it beautifully playable. Cosmetically, it's in good condition, but not immaculate, and as such could be said to be primarily a player's instrument, although still extremely collectable. Included in the sale is another completely unused bridge and tuner block, the original pickups and circuitry (a more recent EMG preamp and pickups are currently fitted), brass and aluminium string adapters for non-double ball end strings, a Packhorse flight case, a Ritter gig bag, and several sets of assorted double ball end strings. It's fitted with the NS Boomerang strap system, and the original pivoting strap plate is also included. Price: £4,500. May p/x for a Wal 5 string.

What an absolutely gorgeous bass... I had a caramel burst 24F5 myself, but sadly had to let it go. If I had the money, I'd pull your arm off!

[quote name='dood' post='732773' date='Feb 2 2010, 12:09 PM']Yes very true - I happened to see the advert over on TalkBass as well, who also have similar T&Cs with reference to auction-esque adverts.[/quote] Yes, I posted there too, and was told in no uncertain terms that I had to post a fixed price or the thread would be deleted. That was after being relieved of 20 bucks for 'Supporting Membership' before I could post in that section in the first place. This was closely followed by tasteless comments from others regarding how 'it must be a British thing' and how the only thing rarer than my bass was someone who would pay the price I was asking, and so on. Thank you for your patience. It's nice to see that UK forums are so much more polite! :-)

An offer and a bid are quite different in my book, but hey ho... OK then, I'll settle for £5,500 and the letter 'P' being stricken from the english language. I'll use the money to become all-seeing, all-knowing Master of Time, Space and Dimension. The go on holiday to Magaluf.

[quote name='sheepman' post='730972' date='Jan 31 2010, 07:11 PM']a very rare bird indeed, a brilliant instrument. the price is no peanuts though.[/quote] I might consider a p/x for a Wal 5-string if that helps... :-)

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='730631' date='Jan 31 2010, 02:39 PM']Jumping Jehosaphat![/quote] Div ye like 'at, noo? :-) (Lowregisterhead, originally fae Ferryhill)

Hi all Offered for sale is my carbon graphite composite Steinberger XL-5W ('wide 5') bass. As many of you will know, these are incredibly rare, as they only made about 50 of them. There are some 5-string versions of the X-2 and XL-2 out there, which were basically standard width 4-string necks with head and bridge conversions to somehow cram the 5th string on, resulting in a very narrow string spacing, but the XL-5W was built as a 5-string, and therefore has a very comfortable 17mm spacing. The previous owner rescued it from a shop in the States, and had work done at Peekamoose in New York to make it beautifully playable. Cosmetically, it's in good condition, but not immaculate, and as such could be said to be primarily a player's instrument, although still extremely collectable. Included in the sale is a second unused bridge, the original pickups and circuitry (a more recent EMG preamp and pickups are currently fitted), brass and aluminium string adapters for non-double ball end strings, a fitted flight case, a Ritter gig bag, and the original pivoting strap plate. It currently has an adapted NS Steinberger Boomerang strap system fitted, but this can be removed with an allen key, and the original plate refitted in seconds. Additional info and more detailed pictures available on request to genuinely interested parties. Offers invited in excess of £6,000.

Up on eBay now - Item No. 330319230534. LRH

[quote name='anthomp' post='453592' date='Apr 3 2009, 06:44 PM']Just a note to all i bought a Sadowsky bass from lowregisterhead and he really is a great guy to deal with and made sure the bass would survive a plane wreck and the bass ....... ooh baby,baby.....ooh baby,baby anthomp[/quote] Thanks for your kind words Antony. Enjoy! LRH

[quote name='molan' post='452693' date='Apr 2 2009, 07:51 PM']I think I was the one that bid it up to about £1,200 or so as well I rather looked the look of that Telebass as well - did it sell on EBay?[/quote] The Tele/Precision beastie didn't sell, but I was secretly rather relieved... sorry, I'm keeping it now!

[quote name='phsycoandy' post='451198' date='Apr 1 2009, 09:22 AM']I think we all saw this on Ebay, lusted then took a reality check and realised we couldnt afford it. Things are tight round here on Basschat also....[/quote] How about everyone clubs together and does a sort of timeshare bass purchase? Could work!

[quote name='Golchen' post='451174' date='Apr 1 2009, 08:48 AM']Great looking bass! I just bid on that on eBay - I knew that I couldn't make the reserve but it felt good just to think I'd tried! Best of luck with selling.[/quote] Thanks!

[quote name='CHRISDABASS' post='451115' date='Apr 1 2009, 06:34 AM']nice to see you on basschat mate! Good luck with the sale! [/quote] Cheers Chris - thanks for enlightening me! LRH

[quote name='owen' post='450997' date='Apr 1 2009, 12:08 AM']What's the weight? I am presuming that the controls are Vol/Pan/Treble/Bass?[/quote] Good point - more details added! LRH

Beautiful, rare, big-bottomed bass, made mid-90's, in storage for last 8 years, bought from original owner last year (serial 24xx), no fret wear, excellent condition apart from 2 small chips and a scratch - see pics. Complete with lightweight case, original warranty docs and 2 scratchplates (mint green and tortoiseshell) in case you fancy a change of look... Incredibly light at a mere 8.5 lbs. Controls are volume, pan, treble boost, bass boost, with preamp in/out on a push/pull on the bass pot. Impending house move forces sale. Bummer. £1850, no offers please, buyer collects from Woking, Surrey or pays fully insured carriage.