The 80's Bass Decade!

[Bagman]

3 hours ago, crazycloud said:

My XL2 was $A3600 in late 86. Just looked up todays $ on the RBA website - $A12000.

how much for a Holden AX-9? 

all good in Sydney? 

[Misdee]

I've been browsing bass shops in Japan recently and I noticed the price of vintage Steinberger XL basses has gone up a lot lately. 

[crazycloud]

9 hours ago, Bagman said:

all good in Sydney? 

Sydney is a s---hole. I avoid it at all costs..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 17 by crazycloud

[Bagman]

5 hours ago, crazycloud said:

Sydney is a s---hole. I avoid it at all costs..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sorry to hear that 

[Kiwi]

On 17/02/2026 at 03:52, Bagman said:

NZ Music Legend Neville Claughton imported 3 x L2 Bass Steinberger in late 1983 / early 1984 

 

they were $3300 NZ so that would be say 1400 UK Pound (?) 

today's coin that would be $10000 NZ to buy a new Steinberger off the shelf

 

IMO that's fairly unrealistic business plan in NZ economy 

Just discovered this post...!  My bass teacher, back in 1987, Glen Commons told me a story that Neville used to demonstrate how strong the necks were by putting a bass across two chairs and standing on it.  It was all very impressive until one day the neck snapped.  My teacher  ended up with that bass and I played it during a lesson. The crack had been solidly repaired with epoxy cement (not resin, which might have been better) but it was hard to miss visually. 

 

On 17/02/2026 at 19:13, Misdee said:

I've been browsing bass shops in Japan recently and I noticed the price of vintage Steinberger XL basses has gone up a lot lately. 

There is big demand in China for Steinbergers mainly driven by the guitarist a very famous band called 'Beyond' playing a red GM4.  Most are imported from Japan.

[Geek99]

On 17/02/2026 at 14:25, crazycloud said:

Sydney is a s---hole. I avoid it at all costs..

 

I liked it - and I tried to get a date with the AMP tower tour guide lady. Didn’t work but the crowd laughed 

[Kiwi]

On 17/02/2026 at 22:25, crazycloud said:

Sydney is a s---hole. I avoid it at all costs..

I have family there. I visit and its like stepping into a TV primetime soap like Beverley Hills 90210. Everyone is so youthful, buzzy, well dressed and made up that i dont understand how they can keep their hands off each other.

[Bagman]

8 hours ago, Kiwi said:

Just discovered this post...!  My bass teacher, back in 1987, Glen Commons told me a story that Neville used to demonstrate how strong the necks were by putting a bass across two chairs and standing on it.  It was all very impressive until one day the neck snapped.  My teacher  ended up with that bass and I played it during a lesson. The crack had been solidly repaired with epoxy cement (not resin, which might have been better) but it was hard to miss visually. 

 

There is big demand in China for Steinbergers mainly driven by the guitarist a very famous band called 'Beyond' playing a red GM4.  Most are imported from Japan.

Nev chucked a L2 at Arnie van Bussel in the shop - "hey Arn, catch"

 

I think the touring Bassist for the Allman Brothers(?) had his gear run over by an 18 wheeler but it didn't break the Steinberger neck ( will try and verify it was in USA Bass Player) 

 

 

[Kiwi]

5 hours ago, Bagman said:

Nev chucked a L2 at Arnie van Bussel in the shop - "hey Arn, catch"

Well, if the zombie apocolypse hit tomorrow and I needed to defend myself with a bass, a Steinberger L2 or XL2 would be my weapon of choice.

BTW, I had a XL25 for a year or so but couldn't get on with the ergonomics.