Steinbergers!

[Twisteramps]

steinbergers...
Ok, thinking about getting one. Here's my dilemma:

1) Get a used one from the 80s-90s. My worry here is that I get a dog - at least if I buy new (from MF especially) and I don't dig it, then I can send it back.

2) Get one from the MusicYo website. NO, not the spirits, the USA ones that have the Moser necks. They start at $799 and go up. Heck, the $799 one has duncans and I prefer those over EMGs anyways!

3) Get a Steinberger Synapse http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...ar/search?b=992

only bad thing about the Synapse is that it's a Korean made guitar... total Ned Steinberger involvement, and it's not all wood - it has some composite to it, and they look interesting. Start at around $799 also.

Pete

[Shawn]

Re: Steinbergers!

Pete, I have had 2 of the real ones, and one of the new USA ones, and they are all gone..No life to them and bland sounding IMHO.

Brett would probably be a better sourse on them, but thats just some dumb drummer's opinion on my end. They feel cool and sound ok, but when you pick up a Strat, or a Paul, you remember what a real guitar sounds like. Ya gotta have a ton of processing to get these sounding right.

My .01


Shawn

[ranalli]

Re: Steinbergers!

I have that VH Live without a Net DVD and Eddies sounds awesome....it has EMGs looks like too. He used it on Summer Nights.....love that song.

[Twisteramps]

Re: Steinbergers!

[ QUOTE ]
Pete, I have had 2 of the real ones, and one of the new USA ones, and they are all gone..No life to them and bland sounding IMHO.

Brett would probably be a better sourse on them, but thats just some dumb drummer's opinion on my end. They feel cool and sound ok, but when you pick up a Strat, or a Paul, you remember what a real guitar sounds like. Ya gotta have a ton of processing to get these sounding right.

My .01


Shawn

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, remember I do use a Vetta. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Seriously - one difference I've heard between all three is that the old ones are more 'neutral' sounding. The the synapse guitars are a blend of wood AND composites, and I've heard some people complain about them sounding too much like a 'real' electric guitar.

The more I think about it, the more I am contemplating getting a synapse. Musicians Friend ships stuff and it gets here next day usually (from KC to Tulsa) and they have a really relaxed return policy. I have a friend that sends back most of the stuff he gets from them, I'll have to double check the procedure. If it's not a big deal for returns, I'll likely order one tomorrow. The only real downer on the Synapses is that it just physically hurts me to spend very much money for a guitar built in Korea...

Pete

[brett8388]

Re: Steinbergers!

I have about 10 I think, but nothing new. All mine are pre-Gibson, but I have heard that the new USA made ones are very nice. I prefer the older ones, and am always looking to add a few more of them. They're very unique instruments, but if you're looking for a killer tone, look elsewhere. I just like the necks.

[jgcable]

Re: Steinbergers!

I had 2 of them. Sterile sounding but great playing. They REALLY stay in tune. Pete, I would think that a Steinberger would be a great choice with your Vetta. Go for a USA model with EMG's.

[nix]

Re: Steinbergers!

There are some reviews of the Transcale Synapse up at Steinberger World. http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/steinberger_world/

[hippietim]

Re: Steinbergers!

I had a Steinberger GM something or other not too long ago. It played pretty good, it was small, and it sure was nice to look at. It sounded like a teflon cutting board with pickups. And the TransTrem was way quirky. Here's where the Steinberger folks tell me I don't "get it" - no kidding - I don't. Big whoop.

[nix]

Re: Steinbergers!

It's kind of a shame they don't make the all graphite ones anymore. I have a GL from like 1987 or so. It the all graphite model. It's not the best sounding guitar by any means but where I think it excels is durability. I can play it in front of my fireplace in the winter with no worries. Leave it in the truck and not worry about the temperature. Travel without the usual guitar worries, etc. The thing encourages me to play when I would be worried about my wood guitars.

[quiksilver]

Re: Steinbergers!

I have one of the modern, $319 MusicYo, Korean-made GT Pros, and I like it. Lots of clever design touches, small and convenient, sounds good through my Pod XT/power amp/1960A or my Tech 21 practice amps, stays in tune, you name it.

As far as criticisms go, let's see. It feels odd to play sitting down with its tiny little body, although the little fold-out "leg" helps greatly. It also tends to rotate forward on the strap when playing standing up. I'm thinking of moving the strap button in an effort to cure that, though it looks like the new ones have a bracket that addresses it. The trem (R-Trem, I think - not what you'd be getting) feels much stiffer and less sensitive than my Floyds, and the neck was too thick and Les Paul-like for me, 'til I shaved it. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Overall, it takes some getting used to, but I have no qualms about its quality. I know you're not getting the $319 model, but perhaps knowing that it can be a decent guitar will reassure you about the more expensive Korean models.

[pro-fusion]

Re: Steinbergers!

Years ago, I had a GL-4T with the Transtrem. Personally, I thought the "bodyless" thing was really cool. The neck had a very nice feel to it, as well. As far as sound goes, they are definitely meant to get an 'icy' neutral sound. Almost all of the 'real' Steinbergers from the '80s had EMGs , and I think that is the best way to go on a Steiny--between the pickups and the composites materials, you get an incredibly crisp sound, with perfect definition and balance, that can absolutely shred if you want. But, yeah, don't expect anything within 100 miles of a vintage sound. You'd think the GM guitars would get a more classic sound, having a wood body, but the ones I've played sounded much like my all-composite GL-4 did.

One word of caution: a lot of old Steinbergers are for sale because the frets are worn down, and there are very few techs out there who know who to replace frets on a Steinberger--it has to be done somewhat differently than on a wood neck, from what I understand. There are a few guys who specialize in them, but don't expect it to be cheap or local.

[BigDaddyD]

Re: Steinbergers!

I had an original P series, which was the wood body...it was anything but toneless and sterile. It sounded fantastic. It had these special passive EMGs made for that guitar. Awesome. I love Steibergers and have always been able to get my tone from any guitar, Steinbergers included.

[Twisteramps]

Re: Steinbergers!

Found a GM4T w/Trans trem (pre gibson) can't wait for it to get here. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Pete

[jgcable]

Re: Steinbergers!

Pete, my guess is that you are really gonna dig it. A GM4T and a Vetta 2 really make a killer combination. Look out Bratta!!

[No Use]

Re: Steinbergers!

yeah, i think Ed had Ned do that custom made, i think the EMGs are specially built too...