Many years ago, I had a Hohner version. The thumb wheel below the tuners is for adjusting the vibrato spring tension. It looks like the bridge has been re-designed but there used to be a plate next to the thumb wheel that could rotate upwards to engage with a stud on the underside of the bridge body and lock the vibrato. The idea was you used the thumb wheel to set the vibrato position so that it could be locked without changing the pitch. Then you could play with or without vibrato and it could be locked to assist in string changes. I don't remember having any issues with the balance but then, I didn't play in classical position. I suggest you try using a strap and see if that helps. The perennial issue with the steinberger guitars, is getting double ball end strings. In my experience they aren't stocked by many places even online.
The new Steinbergers still have that lock for the bridge. It's a godsend when you break a string as I well remember! There's also an adapter you can get so you can use regular strings. And, having said that, I've talked myself into buying either one of these or an old Hohner because I really miss it.
Mine has taken a couple belly flops off the guitar stand so I ordered a Hercules mini stand that hasn't arrived yet. However while waiting it occurred to me to take the guitar cable and wrap it across the neck support of the stand about three times and slightly tie it off. Its now earthquake proof!
They were never conceived as travel guitars. The originals back in the 80s had active electronics and EMG pickups and they were used by the likes of David Gilmour, Mike Rutherford, Daryl Stuermer and Edward Van Halen. They were proper, professional instruments, made from carbon and graphite and the later ones had bridges that could transpose the whole guitar equally. These new Gibson ones are based on the Hohner copies from the 80s and require some work before they're bang on. The pickups and trem posts need replaced asap although if you just lock the bridge you can overlook the posts. Ned Steinberger's original prototype bass from, I think, 1978 (he was a bassist and conceived it as a solution for bassists before rolling out the six string version) is currently for sale for somewhere in the region of £81,000 or maybe around ninety thousand of your US dollars.
I’ve got 2 of the older version, and they have been a favorite guitar for years! Put a strap on it! It makes a world of difference! There is something extremely comfortable about the playability of that guitar! A new set of pickups is like a night & day difference! A totally different guitar! One of mine, which I bought used, is about worn out, and finding replacement parts that work kinda sucks! Naturally, it’s got some of my favorite pickups in it! Been thinking about getting a newer model, just to put the pickups into. If you could get replacement parts, I’d have that guitar forever! That’s how much I like it! ❤
I ripped out the bridge pickup and replaced with a JB SH-4 Seymour Duncan on mine. Way better sustain, harmonics, tone and crunch. I love the guitar, expecially for travel with the go spark it's perfect.
I looked at these, Steinberger in name only, they are cheap replicas made by Gibson. I was put off researching these. Apparently Gibson bought the Steinberger brand years ago, did nothing for years more, then started to produce them in Asia somewhere. A few bad reviews about the workmanship.
With the term on the spirit, the double ball strings aren’t super important to the whole system. Gibson sells a cheap adapter to use regular strings. Now if you have a classic 80s 90s steinberg with the trans trem, then the perfectly matching double ball strings are important.
I owned one of these and would not recommend. Pick-ups are cheap and sound horrible. Feels like a toy. The trem system is unique but very stiff. The leg stand is the best thing on it. I removed the leg stand and attached to a other guitar.
Wow, I like that red color. Great review. I just ordered for when I'm traveling.
Many years ago, I had a Hohner version. The thumb wheel below the tuners is for adjusting the vibrato spring tension. It looks like the bridge has been re-designed but there used to be a plate next to the thumb wheel that could rotate upwards to engage with a stud on the underside of the bridge body and lock the vibrato. The idea was you used the thumb wheel to set the vibrato position so that it could be locked without changing the pitch. Then you could play with or without vibrato and it could be locked to assist in string changes.
I don't remember having any issues with the balance but then, I didn't play in classical position. I suggest you try using a strap and see if that helps.
The perennial issue with the steinberger guitars, is getting double ball end strings. In my experience they aren't stocked by many places even online.
I see Sweetwater carries Steinberger brand 10-46 for $8. That's not bad.
The new Steinbergers still have that lock for the bridge. It's a godsend when you break a string as I well remember! There's also an adapter you can get so you can use regular strings. And, having said that, I've talked myself into buying either one of these or an old Hohner because I really miss it.
I wanted one of these, ever since seeing Dave Gillmour play one, supporting Kate Bush in the 80s !
That's not a Truss rod adjuster near the bridge it's the bridge spring tension adjuster. Nice final fantasy song playthrough though!!! ❤
Ive got a white one. Great little guitar once you put some real pickups in it and the upgrade trem posts.
Tell me more about the upgrade trem posts please!
I had the same one. I put Seymour Duncan JB and 59 8n it. Full fret level, crown and polish.
Awesome. Thanks for the review
Mine has taken a couple belly flops off the guitar stand so I ordered a Hercules mini stand that hasn't arrived yet. However while waiting it occurred to me to take the guitar cable and wrap it across the neck support of the stand about three times and slightly tie it off. Its now earthquake proof!
Love my Eart, great neck, great frets. Haven't tried the steinberger yet. Not sure I need a fifth headless.
The riff is exactly like every pop song out there.
When it's cold, and when it's dark, the freezing moon can obsess you!
And then it is Amorphis, right ?
@@johnrambothemighty My man :)
They were never conceived as travel guitars. The originals back in the 80s had active electronics and EMG pickups and they were used by the likes of David Gilmour, Mike Rutherford, Daryl Stuermer and Edward Van Halen. They were proper, professional instruments, made from carbon and graphite and the later ones had bridges that could transpose the whole guitar equally. These new Gibson ones are based on the Hohner copies from the 80s and require some work before they're bang on. The pickups and trem posts need replaced asap although if you just lock the bridge you can overlook the posts. Ned Steinberger's original prototype bass from, I think, 1978 (he was a bassist and conceived it as a solution for bassists before rolling out the six string version) is currently for sale for somewhere in the region of £81,000 or maybe around ninety thousand of your US dollars.
Love your musical playing style. Where did you learn?
I was taught by Spencer Funk of the band Wild Carrot for ~10+ years, then mostly learned on my own and from friends. Cheers!
I’ve got 2 of the older version, and they have been a favorite guitar for years! Put a strap on it! It makes a world of difference! There is something extremely comfortable about the playability of that guitar! A new set of pickups is like a night & day difference! A totally different guitar! One of mine, which I bought used, is about worn out, and finding replacement parts that work kinda sucks! Naturally, it’s got some of my favorite pickups in it! Been thinking about getting a newer model, just to put the pickups into. If you could get replacement parts, I’d have that guitar forever! That’s how much I like it! ❤
That thing is super sick!
it is. th-cam.com/video/14_nCoSOKZA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=VxPRuLzMHVHgVfY2
The zero fret is a deal breaker for me. They always get grooves in them, even stainless steel ones on Strandbergs.
Nice review. Just a tip, there's a setting in your phone so that the selfie camera isn't reversed.
It's made well because it was made in South Korea.
no. China
I ripped out the bridge pickup and replaced with a JB SH-4 Seymour Duncan on mine. Way better sustain, harmonics, tone and crunch. I love the guitar, expecially for travel with the go spark it's perfect.
I was very surprised by how much I liked the single coil over the humbuckers. If I owned one myself, I'd be swapping the bridge humbucker for sure.
@@nofrillsnoskillsguitar365 I did th-cam.com/video/14_nCoSOKZA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=VxPRuLzMHVHgVfY2
Anyone have any input on the trem stability? How does it hold up on have trem use?
Nice guitar.
I looked at these, Steinberger in name only, they are cheap replicas made by Gibson. I was put off researching these. Apparently Gibson bought the Steinberger brand years ago, did nothing for years more, then started to produce them in Asia somewhere. A few bad reviews about the workmanship.
I do like headless guitars, but the idea of double ball strings really keeps me away from this model. I'm more into .strandberg
Double ball is certainly weird. You don't see them... pretty much ever. But if I could get a Strand for the price of a Steiny, I'd be all about it! :)
Yeah, but you can just buy Steinberger's own adaptor to use regular strings..
They're only $8 on Sweetwater.
With the term on the spirit, the double ball strings aren’t super important to the whole system. Gibson sells a cheap adapter to use regular strings.
Now if you have a classic 80s 90s steinberg with the trans trem, then the perfectly matching double ball strings are important.
I owned one of these and would not recommend. Pick-ups are cheap and sound horrible. Feels like a toy. The trem system is unique but very stiff. The leg stand is the best thing on it. I removed the leg stand and attached to a other guitar.