Steinberger L2

[hen barn]

Is there any experts on Steinberger’s here on BC?

I might have found one! 
 

[Hellzero]

Put the photos and/or link and the experts will show up instantly. 😉

[Bagman]

I have a Steinberger L2 , it is lovely 

 

are the bolts in the front or the back of the body ? 

[EMG456]

Ask away. I’ve been playing Steinbergers regularly since the early 80s. 

[Geek99]

[BassTractor]

10 hours ago, Geek99 said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 1 by BassTractor

[three]

I'm not an expert but I owned one for a while.  Possibly the most incredible bass tone I've heard (they're utterly unique) but ergonomically a nightmare.  I really found the bass to be unplayable either standing or sitting.  A real shame as the L2s are such an iconic bass.  Images really would be helpful here and good to know if you have any specific questions.

 

[BassTractor]

7 hours ago, three said:

I'm not an expert but I owned one for a while.  Possibly the most incredible bass tone I've heard (they're utterly unique) but ergonomically a nightmare.  I really found the bass to be unplayable either standing or sitting.  A real shame as the L2s are such an iconic bass.  Images really would be helpful here and good to know if you have any specific questions.

 

Dunno how much the Hohners differ, but in the case of my B2B, I found that the length of the strap was essential - and the B2B has been the only bass I've had that was that particular about it. With that bit out of the way, however, the B2B worked perfectly for my body. Of course different bodies have different measurements, angles etc.
I'm guessing maybe the L2 likewise is particular.

As to sitting, I missed that Steinberger fold-out thingie, but even better solutions should be easy fixes.

 

 

Edited September 1 by BassTractor

[hen barn]

So here it is. Been in its case for last 20 years! They no back plate? Can you get them? Are they going for good money? 

[PaulThePlug]

The Real Deal Composite / Carbon go for £€$STUPID... It's an Icon.

For use and smoother tuning I recommend fitting F4-10M thrust washers to the tuning screws (as a replacement for the 3 nylon washers on each, but keep em as original bits) like on my Hohner B2 - 4 for about a tenner.

 

[Hellzero]

@PaulThePlug, the original Steinberger tuners are really smooth, not like the licensed ones.

 

It's not an L2, but an XL2 made when the factory was moved to Newburgh, so after 1984, but remember that the company was sold to Gibson in 1987.

 

You have to search for the serial number under the tuners on the side to date it, or if it's a transitional model (1984~1985), in the battery compartment.

 

Check this to have all the data needed: http://www.steinbergerworld.com/L-series.htm

 

And the intonation on this one is totally wrong...

 

Edited September 5 by Hellzero
Info added

[Owen]

Back plate = 3D printing project?

[Dumble]

 

On 06/09/2025 at 12:29, Owen said:

Back plate = 3D printing project?

https://reverb.com/item/90669474-steinberger-style-pivot-plate

[Dumble]

https://reverb.com/item/31865834-steinberger-replacement-plug-in-leg-rest

[Dumble]

1 minute ago, Dumble said:

 

https://reverb.com/item/90669474-steinberger-style-pivot-plate

This may work 

[Bagman]

2 hours ago, Dumble said:

https://reverb.com/item/31865834-steinberger-replacement-plug-in-leg-rest

I should get one of those 

L2 is difficult to play sitting down 

[itu]

Just saw an L2 in very good condition. It looks fun, if not funny, but I did not have to buy it. Well, the price was also steep, £4300. I remember the time when it came out and it was something special. It still is, and I wonder when will we get something similar in terms of invention. 

[Misdee]

7 hours ago, itu said:

Just saw an L2 in very good condition. It looks fun, if not funny, but I did not have to buy it. Well, the price was also steep, £4300. I remember the time when it came out and it was something special. It still is, and I wonder when will we get something similar in terms of invention. 

The Steinberger L2 will always be the bass I wanted most but never got. It's a beautiful object. Some people used to complain the sound lacked the warmth of wood. It was supposed to! These basses had a tone all of their own and it's unique. I love it.

 

I too remember when these basses first came out. In 1982 the UK retail was £999, and Soundwave in Essex were the sole importer. That's about £3500 in today's money. At that time I was lucky if I could muster £9.99, so it was just a dream in those days, but I passed on buying one in the late '80's and the early '90's when I easily could have, and then before you know it thirty years has passed, Steinberger are long gone and it's all ancient history. Regrets? I've had a few.

Edited Wednesday at 21:58 by Misdee

[Bagman]

Here in Aotearoa , the great Neville Claughton imported 3 x L2 in 1984 

they were $3300 retail and all sold promptly 

 

Pound to NZD was 1/3 so sterling 999 to NZ $3300 sounds bang on 

[police squad]

I had the same xl2 that @three owned.

I gigged it a few times in my Police tribute

Amazing tone. Very fundamental.  Thick sound.  Unique. 

It was a transitional one, plug in leg rest etc. 

It felt heavy but that was because it looked small

Didn't like the strap hanger plate. The strap made me feel all trussed up

[roger]

Sold mine last year, if only it had the neck profile of the status, for me the nut was too narrow (38mm from memory) I read that Ned asked Stanley Clarke for advice on the neck to which he advised a narrow nut and deep front to back, neither to my tastes🤷‍♂️

[Misdee]

I've got a Status Streamline bass, pretty much as a substitute a Steinberger L2. It doesn't really sound that similar, but it's a beautiful design in its own right and it's the closest I'm going to get to the heart's desire of my younger days. I find the Streamline to have a warmer tone that's a bit less strident in the midrange than the inherent Steinberger L2 sound, while retaining a similar graphite-derived clarity.

 

It would've been interesting if the Streamline had been on the market back in the 1980's heyday of the Steinberger. Rob Green would probably have been fighting off customers with the proverbial unsanitary stick.

Edited yesterday at 20:27 by Misdee

[Bagman]

2 hours ago, roger said:

Sold mine last year, if only it had the neck profile of the status, for me the nut was too narrow (38mm from memory) I read that Ned asked Stanley Clarke for advice on the neck to which he advised a narrow nut and deep front to back, neither to my tastes🤷‍♂️

the neck feels like a Precision but the nut spacing feels like a Jazz imo 

[roger]

12 minutes ago, Misdee said:

I've got a Status Streamline bass, pretty much as a substitute a Steinberger L2. It doesn't really sound that similar, but it's a beautiful design in its own right and it's the closest I'm going to get to the heart's desire of my younger days. I find the Streamline to have a warmer tone that's a bit less strident in the midrange than the inherent Steinberger L2 sound, while retaining a similar graphite-derived clarity.

 

It would've been interesting if the Streamline had been on the market back in the 1980's heyday of the Steinberger. Rob Green would probably have been fighting off customers with the proverbial unsanitary stick.

 

had one of those too!🤦 gotta say though if someone were to reproduce the L2 now I reckon it would fly off the shelves!

[roger]

2 minutes ago, Bagman said:

the neck feels like a Precision but the nut spacing feels like a Jazz imo 

I guess it depends on ‘U’ or ‘C’ P bass etc etc, I found the status to be shallow front to back as does my current bass (goodfellow) but as you say quite rightly all opinions eh? 🤷‍♂️