RichMcGill

[quote name='cuvintdelage' post='609087' date='Sep 26 2009, 10:49 AM'][size=3]Hey, We are KAPUTT, a band with albums, agent (Clive Underhill-Smith (Aphex Twin, Booka Shade, Babylon Circus, The Molotovs,...)), plugger (Olli Dutton (the go! team, my brightest diamond,...)). We are currently looking for a new bass player, talented and comited. Influences : Foals, Interpol, The Rapture, Editors... Check us out : [url="http://myspace.com/kaputtmusic"]http://myspace.com/kaputtmusic[/url] For more info, contact [email protected] 07.825.373.838 [/size][/quote] The area you're based in helps...

[quote name='The Burpster' post='587919' date='Sep 2 2009, 08:33 PM']The last ones on here fetched £1250 to £1500 so it would have be an asbolute minter for someone to pay £2k for it.... Thats not to say that someone wouldnt but you might have to wait a very long time.[/quote] Here's one in the good ole US of A ending in 2 days time [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140343621231&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]

[quote name='bassaussie' post='589976' date='Sep 4 2009, 06:14 PM']If you want to learn about Steinberger basses, this is probably the best site to visit [url="http://www.steinbergerworld.com/"]http://www.steinbergerworld.com/[/url] One thing I noticed above was that a couple of people were using the L2 and XL-2 tags incorrectly. The L2 is one of the original Steinberger models (there was an L1, H2 and H1 - L and H designating the impedence of the pickups, the number being the number of pickups. You can read more about it on the site above). The L2 proved to be the most popular, and was "upgraded" to the XL2 around 1984. I currently own an L2, and I've also owned an XL-2. As stated, they're fairly amazing instruments. I know a few people have commented on this, but I thought the use of the word "fragile" in relation to a Steinberger was quite funny. Seriously, they're practically indestructible. One of the things they used to do when showing the bass to potential customers was to place the bass as a bridge between 2 chairs, then get someone to stand on the neck. Not only was there no damage, but the thing stayed in tune. I rarely ever need to tune my L2, as it's so stable it simply stays in tune all the time. I wouldn't say they're for everybody, and it could be argued that the sound is slightly dated, but they really are an amazing instrument nonetheless. As for comparing one to a Spirit, I guess it comes down to what you're looking for. If you're happy with the Spirit, maybe a move over to an original Steinberger isn't necessary. I think it's something you really need to try before you buy one.[/quote] As I said several times in this thread, never touched L2 or XL-2 or similar Steinberger, but I seen some absolutely horrendous pictures of these with corners missing, looking rather like the sort of damage one sees in old concrete-based council houses. I wish I'd saved a link to post it up to illustrate. Never seen anything remotely similar in a wooden bass or guitar, but then they're very different materials. Maybe proving how tough they are by hitting walls and playing cricket is not best practice?

[quote name='MattM' post='587852' date='Sep 2 2009, 07:30 PM']As someone who's owned a Hohner B2 (same factory as a Spirit) and now own an XL2 courtesy of SilentFly (thanks again Max if you're reading...still loving it ) I'm fairly well qualified to comment. The construction of the XL2 makes a huge difference to sustain and resonance, even acoustically. Also huge advantages in terms of stability - I had to do truss rod tweaks on a monthly basis with the Hohner, have had the XL2 nearly a year and no adjustment necessary - still has a great set-up. Did someone mention fragile? Any idea of how much stronger carbon graphite composite is over wood? Yes you could chip the outer gel coat, however you will never damage the body or neck of the XL2 without driving a tank over it...literally. The wing bit (pivot plate pur-lease!)at the back is a good bit of design - there is an improved 'boomerang' version about, but this works well. The pivot is bang in the centre of gravity, its contoured so fits well with your body and also pivots so you don't have to move the whole strap/body in one go - strap stays statiic on your shoulder, probably a big USP with 80's shoulder pad wearers. The standard strap set-up on the Spirit/Hohner makes it very neck heavy in comparison - trust me. Not mentioning the two EMG pickups which sound great - superb for dub, reggae or anything vaguely hi-fi/80s ish. The EMG Selects while decent, aint a patch on the originals. So in summary, the XL2 is deffo worth the upgrade just on performance alone. If you take into account it's a design icon, a pioneering piece of materials science and technology, plus just looks so damn cool, its a no-brainer. Having an indestructible bass you can easily hide behind the sofa when you have rampant two year old running about is also worth its weight in gold... [/quote] OK, the dream is re-instated. Looking forward to finding out myself when one comes along...

[quote name='The Burpster' post='587115' date='Sep 2 2009, 07:38 AM']1. the big 'wing on the back was in place of the top forearm so that you could fold it out and attatch a strap for playing stood up. 2. They were made of resin/carbon weave entirely. 3. the carbon and resin can indeed chunk but like any bass if its not in vital area it wont affect its playablilty (and IMO is way easier to patch up than trying to match paint and lift dents out of wood!) 4. Is any vintage instrument worth it.....? the electrics are way old skool and they are heavy..... but again IMO they have a unique and killer 80s tone and were and still are, a complete breath of fresh air. 5. comparing the original XL-2 to a spirit is like comparing a showjumper to donkey.... the spirit is a wood copy just like the Hohner; wood is nothing like carbon...... Have you looked at the Synapse bass....? This is a Ned evolution of the original XL-2 and to me is the best of both worlds (wood and composite) and has up to date electrics........ BTW - I love 'em (not got 'round to buying one yet, but its only a matter of time!)[/quote] Good reply and some good points here. I've never touched an XL-2 or any other original Steinberger, so we've got a lot of ignorance here. It looks to me as though XL-2 is a period piece? Expensive, fragile, heavy but with a good sound & presumably plays well. A showjumper to a donkey? I can see XL-2 has a lot more pedigree and is worth a lot more from the point of view of original price, current and long-term value. I suppose a donkey has worth and can do a good day's work, but a donkey is also slow & sluggish which I do not see in the Spirit. A lot of the points here are about the material used. What does composite bring that's good? I notice that you rate Synapse which uses both composite and wood. Trivially, the thing that really puzzles me is the need for "extra sticking out bits" in both XL-2 and Synapse which jar with my sense of good design. Spirit doesn't need such things and, to my mind, the design should meet the needs. I've nearly stopped dreaming of one day changing my Spirit for XL-2. Synapse looks bigger? Small is a good design feature here, in my view, and to be valued. Spirit in original soft gig back fits into many places other basses couldn't begin to consider. Looking forward to the day I get to actually experience XL-2, perhaps it'll all make sense then!!

Hi there, I've always dreamed of owning & playing one of the original Steinberger stick-like basses with active electrics and non-wood construction. I've got a Spirit which hits every spot for me, except it's passive and not one of my dream basses. Love the tone and don't feel I miss the active side of things. I've started to look around a bit at the original and got horrified. They've got some great big plastic-looking lump(s) on the back? Why? My Spirit balances very well with the strap (and easily caters for lefties), and has a really cute prong that hinges down for when sat down, so what's the point of plastic lumps? Lot's of the old Steinbergers seem to have great chunks out of the body from the non-wood construction. What were they made of and is itr really fragile? Anyone out there like to persuade me that the old original Steinbergers are better than Spirit? Why?