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Pricing and availability

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Description

The neck and body are moulded from one extremely rigid piece of carbon and glass-fibre reinforced plastic. This construction results in acoustical properties vastly superior to wood. The neck will not warp or bend, even under the highest string tension, eliminating the conventual truss rod system. This produces the ultimate tone in brilliance, clarity and extreme sustain. Tone is bright and alive, consistently responsive on all areas of the fingerboard (no dead spots), with unusual versatility and dynamic range. The carbon fibre construction makes the bass immune to expansion and contraction due to environmental changes, and immune to the otherwise degrading conditions of extremely humid or dry conditions.

mindhead2005

mindhead2005

Headless Bass Shootout - Spirit XT-2 vs Hohner B2A vs Steinberger L2 vs Steinberger XL2.

Video thumbnail for Headless Bass Shootout - Spirit XT-2 vs Hohner B2A vs Steinberger L2 vs Steinberger XL2. by mindhead2005

Headless Bass Shootout - Spirit XT-2 vs Hohner B2A vs Steinberger L2 vs Steinberger XL2.

mindhead2005

mindhead2005

Video thumbnail for Rush - Vital Signs bass cover (Steinberger L2) by Hemibass

Rush - Vital Signs bass cover (Steinberger L2)

Hemibass

Hemibass

Video thumbnail for Rush - Distant Early Warning bass cover (Steinberger L2) by Hemibass

Rush - Distant Early Warning bass cover (Steinberger L2)

Hemibass

Hemibass

Video thumbnail for Me and my Bass - What's the difference between a Steinberger L2 and a Spirit by Steinberger XT-2 by Neo Land

Me and my Bass - What's the difference between a Steinberger L2 and a Spirit by Steinberger XT-2

Neo Land

Neo Land

Video thumbnail for 1983 Steinberger L2 Bass Restore by Itty

1983 Steinberger L2 Bass Restore

Itty

Itty

Video thumbnail for STEINBERGER L2 HEADLESS BASS ACTIVE EMG 1984 VINTAGE FOR SALE UP CLOSE VIDEO REVIEW XL2 XL-2 by Essex Recording Studios

STEINBERGER L2 HEADLESS BASS ACTIVE EMG 1984 VINTAGE FOR SALE UP CLOSE VIDEO REVIEW XL2 XL-2

Essex Recording Studios

Essex Recording Studios

Video thumbnail for Rare and historic Steinberger L2 bass set up by Sam Deeks

Rare and historic Steinberger L2 bass set up

Sam Deeks

Sam Deeks

Video thumbnail for 1983 Steinberger L2 Bass Demo by Tim Sarter

1983 Steinberger L2 Bass Demo

Tim Sarter

Tim Sarter

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Steinberger L2.

Value and pricing

  • Original Steinberger L2 models often fetch high prices due to collector demand, despite some players feeling they aren't worth the $2,400 market rate.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The headless design is a unique feature that appeals especially to those needing a compact and portable bass for travel or practice.

    Source
  • The Yamaha BX-1 is noted for its ability to fit standard strings, avoiding the need for scarce double-ball strings, and its perfect balance on a strap.

    Source
  • The L2's double strap post design prevents the bass from falling over when leaned against an amp.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners note that playing the L2 requires adjustment, particularly due to the lack of a traditional armrest.

    Source
  • Owners share that the Steinberger L2's solid molded graphite body contributes significantly to its distinctive tone and sustain, a feature they find unmatched by newer models.

    Source
  • Lightweight and no neck dive make the L2 ideal for musicians with ergonomic concerns, such as those using a wheelchair.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The L2 is valued for its distinct tone, reminiscent of Geddy Lee's sound, especially favoring low notes.

    Source
  • The L2's tone is described as "crystal clear" and capable of cutting through mixes, ideal for achieving a piano-like bass sound with the right settings.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The L2 is considered a premium instrument from its original era, distinct from current models under the Steinberger name after the Gibson acquisition.

    Source
  • The Yamaha BX-1 is praised for emulating the Steinberger tone, featuring two P pickups under soapbar covers and a series/parallel coil-tap switch in the tone knob.

    Source
  • The Steinberger Synapse offers a strap peg extender for more traditional bass positioning compared to the Spirit model.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some suggest installing specific EMG precision pickups to replicate the Steinberger L2 sound without purchasing the original, high-cost model.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • There's a belief that the zero fret impacts tone, making open strings sound more like fretted ones, though this is debated among users.

    Source
  • The fold-out leg rest on the Spirit model may loosen over time, particularly with frequent use, requiring occasional attention.

    Source

Build quality

  • The Steinberger Spirit model weighs under 7 lbs, contributing to its ergonomic appeal, especially for longer gigs.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Geddy Lee uses Steinberger L2

Geddy Lee

Singer, Bassist

Rush

...
Verified via Photo

Geddy began using the Steinberger L2 during the Signals tour in 1982 and used it until he purchased an XL2 (improved version of the L2, scroll down for more) around 1985. Grace Under Pressure was recorded using the L2. He used it in the music videos for Mystic Rhythms and Distant Early Warning.

From a 1984 issue of Guitar World magazine: “I like the Steinberger a lot. I started using it just before the Signals tour, somebody said ‘try this’ and it sounded great. It’s got quite a different sound from my other bass-the bottom end is really rich, deep, it almost has a synthesized bottom end. It doesn’t sound like it should sound going by the theory that big-bodied basses have a deep, resonant sound. This has got a little plastic body with a battery in the back and the bottom end sounds rich as hell. It doesn’t sound natural, but it sounds real interesting. On some of the new songs I like the punch of the Steinberger but on some of the older things like ‘Digital Man‘ I still use the Rickenbacker. I still love the Rickenbacker and I’m actually more comfortable on it. I sort of feel obligated in a way to represent its sound on the songs that were written around it. It’s kind of nice to switch back and forth.”

See how Sting uses Steinberger L2

Sting

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Photo

Sting can be seen on the cover of guitar world magazine holding his Steinberger L2.

See how John Entwistle uses Steinberger L2

John Entwistle

Singer, Bassist

The Who

...
Verified via YouTube

At 1:08 in the video, it is seen clearly that John was playing a Steinberger L2 bass (which surprised be because I never thought he used them). It only appears he used it in a few songs on the "Face Dances" album (1981), the song above "Don't Let Go The Coat" being one of them.

See how Mike Rutherford uses Steinberger L2

Mike Rutherford

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video we can se Mike playing a fretless Steinberger L2 bass, recording "Second Home by the Sea".

See how Nigel John Taylor uses Steinberger L2

Nigel John Taylor

Bassist

Duran Duran

...
Verified via Photo

The picture shows John Taylor playing the item on stage.

See how Guy Pratt uses Steinberger L2

Guy Pratt

Bassist

Pink Floyd

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video (2:30) he mentions that in 1984 one of his main basses was a Steinberger.

Pratt's L2 was stolen in the 1990's and has never been found. It's serial number was 712.

See how Benjamin Orr uses Steinberger L2

Benjamin Orr

Singer, Bassist

The Cars

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, Benjamin is shown using his Steinberger L2 bass. He purchased it in 1982 (after the devastating apartment fire that destroyed much of his gear, including his silver StingRay, Ibanez Rocket Roll V, Vox basses,etc.), and used it on and off throughout the rest of his life.

See how Zeta Bosio uses Steinberger L2

Zeta Bosio

Bassist

Soda Stereo

...
Verified via Photo

Here we can see Zeta playing a Steinberger, back in 2007

See how Curt Smith uses Steinberger L2

Curt Smith

Singer, Bassist

Tears for Fears

...
Verified via Photo

Smith purchased the bass in September of 1982 with the intent of exclusively using it for live performances, but it ended up being used in the studio for their first album The Hurting and second album Songs From The Big Chair.

In an over the phone interview with Tony Bacon in 1984 Smith said, "We had trouble getting a bass sound on the album and I went through a few basses, a Yamaha BB1200, an Aria Pro, and an Alembic, but we still had trouble getting a roundness and a depth. The Alembic was the best of those, but still wasn't smooth enough. I use the Steinberger all the time now. I'm going to get another bass for studio work but I wouldn't want to use anything other than the Steinberger for live."

After the conclusion of the Big Chair Tour in 1985 it is alleged he gave the bass to their monitor engineer.

He has not used a Steinberger since and the whereabouts of the bass are unknown.

See how Jean-Jacques Burnel uses Steinberger L2

Jean-Jacques Burnel

Bassist

The Stranglers

...
Verified via Wikivisually

According to Wikivisually, Jean-Jacques Burnel has used the Steinberger L2 bass guitar.

See how Gerald Casale uses Steinberger L2

Gerald Casale

Singer, Bassist

Devo

...
Verified via Photo

In a photo from the Forecastle Festival, Gerald Casale is pictured playing a Steinberger L2 bass guitar.

See how Yamane Satoshi uses Steinberger L2

Yamane Satoshi

Bassist, Composer

toe

...
Verified via YouTube

In this YouTube video at 15:41, Yamane can be seen using the Steinberger L2.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Steinberger L2, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Alembic Series I Bass
Alembic Series I Bass Electric Basses
1
Alembic Dragon Wing
Alembic Dragon Wing Electric Basses
1
Alembic Spyder
Alembic Spyder Electric Basses
1
Steinberger XL-2
Steinberger XL-2 Electric Basses
1
Fender Jazz Bass
Fender Jazz Bass Electric Basses
1

Community setups

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paujones64

paujones64

Gear IQ 295

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