Ned Steinberger's one-off prototype L-Series headless bass

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I ought not have to write too much about Ned Steinberger's one-of-a-kind prototype L-Series bass as the pictures say it all really. Built in 1977 the bass is modelled from carbon fibre and although it is headless, Steinberger seems to have simply moved the headstock from the end of the neck and re-positioned it behind the bridge. It uses regular bass guitar tuners; obviously created before Steinberger went on to develop his own style of fine tuners. You can read more about this bass here.

And if you fancy actually buying this bass, it is currently listed on eBay with a Buy It Now price of US $99,995.

G L Wilson

© 2015, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

Hohner B2 / B2A fretless headless bass wanted

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Please forgive this rather cheeky post, but hey, as blogmaster of this guitar blog I don't think you can begrudge me the occasional perk.

To get to the point, I ended up playing a Steinberger-styled Hohner B2A headless fretless bass at a gig last night and I totally fell in love with it. I did ask the owner if it was sale, but unfortunately for me he wanted to keep hold of it. I really liked the size of the bass, nice and portable yet with a full-scale length, and also I found it hung really nicely on a strap. I also liked the neat flip-out knee rest to facilitate playing when seated. Most of all, I really dug the sound. We broke into a reggae/dub number that we'd been working on recently, and the bass really delivered that lovely dubby bass sound that I love so much.

And so onto the cheeky bit. I appreciate that it's a bit of a long shot but does anyone out there - preferably someone in the UK or Europe so as to keep shipping costs to a minimum - have one of these babies that they no longer require and might be willing to exchange for a electric 6-string guitar from my collection? (I have several in mind that I'd be willing to swap for the right bass). I'm not too bothered as to whether it's the B2 (passive) or the B2A (active) model, but I really do want the FRETLESS version of the bass (preferably unlined). I'm not worried about the colour of the finish, or about the general condition of the bass, so long as it's all in working order, the neck is straight, the action is good, etc. All the usual requirements, really.

Please contact me at gavinlloydwilson@yahoo.com if interested.

Thanks

G L Wilson

© 2015, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

1980s Ned Steinberger-designed Gibson 20/20 Bass

guitarz.blogspot.com:

Ned Steinberger's later guitars and basses whilst still being full of innovation never quite had the same impact as his now legendary minimalist headless L-series bass guitars, originally produced in 1979 in Brooklyn, New York. Here is one of his later 1980s' bass designs for Gibson, a model that has sunk almost without trace into obscurity. I remember a more youthful version of me seeing some of these instruments at a Music Show in Kensington, London, back in the day and am ashamed to say that I said rather loudly something along the lines of, "Oh look, Steinberger have invented the headstock!" I also remember all too well the dirty look I received from the guy on the booth. He'd probably heard the same thing 100 times already that day.

Currently being auctioned on eBay, with bidding at $510 at the time of writing. (Item located in Waterloo, Illinois).

G L Wilson

© 2014, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - the blog that goes all the way to 11!
Please read our photo and content policy.

Steinberger GM1T Egyptian - one-off NAMM 1991 special

guitarz.blogspot.com:

I've always enjoyed 1960s Italian Ekos and Crucianellis with their ostentatious celluloid pearlescent finishes; likewise similarly finished models from Sweden's Hagström have also appealed. But looking at the above Steinberger GM1T Egyptian, I have to ask myself if it's possible to put too much Mother Of Toilet Seat onto a guitar?

The Ancient Egyptian-themed finish on this Steinberger was created for the 1991 NAMM show by artists Greg Rich and Phil Jones, who apparently have created similar pieces for Fender and Gibson. The guitar has just the single EMG pickup - I guess so there is more of a "canvass" available for the artwork - and it also sports a gold-plated TransTrem (a Steinberger innovation which allows the player to lock in transposed tunings using the tremolo arm).

Apparently this guitar sold at the 1991 NAMM show for $10,000. It is now being offered for sale on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $5,995.

G L Wilson

© 2011, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!

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