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

A comparison of, and the stories behind some of my headless basses including the Live Aid bass!
Tell me which one you like the sound of best!

[@toddbrittain1060]

I've been playing bass for 40 years and the Steinberger L2 is the best sounding rock bass I've ever heard (and I've heard a LOT of basses).

[@mindhead2005]

100% agree. It’s got it ALL!

[@leewaggers4733]

Superb review and history of your headless collection. Thanks very much for providing such a great video 👍

[@mindhead2005]

There’s a part two coming! Synapse 5 strings and a VERY rare XL2TA Transtrem bass

[@horrorshowbass]

Nice job Mick, fair play for doing 20 minute video without losing the head :)

[@mindhead2005]

Lol

[@billg2942]

I had #6922, a white XL-25 (5-string) back "in the day" as my working axe. That generation of basses had an absolutely brilliant kidney-shaped plate mounted on the back that the strap buttons were mounted on. It balanced that heavy beast marvelously. I wish somebody would repop those!

[@mindhead2005]

There was a guy doing reproductions My pink XL has one They replaced that plate with the “boomerang” which was much more minimalist and adjustable for front to rear angle There may still be some around White XL is my dream bass

[@nordmende73]

Thank you!

[@mindhead2005]

Thanks for watching. :) Synapse bass coming soon

[@buba51]

Thank you very much!

[@mindhead2005]

No worries!

[@NAzzTheHitMaker]

That 86’ bass has so clean slaps

[@mindhead2005]

It’s super for that. And so easy to play. The L2 is easier to play, but the pink one is a great all rounder

[@guyviola5359]

Very good video, mindhead2005! It would be very interesting if you could make a comparison video between the L2 VS XL2, I'm very curious about the size of both basses, body, neck, bridge and so on... Thanks in advance!!!

[@mindhead2005]

Thanks a mill There’s not a huge amount of difference really, but there may be enough to base a video on

[@extantia]

Hey Mick, Guy Pratt played an L series extensively when he was with Icehouse in the early-80’s. Also Dan K. Brown played one in the late-80’s (Subterraneans) when he wasn’t playing his Wal Mk II Fretless. Btw, there are clips of .the latter playing a five string Synapse in more recent years. Both of these guys not only influenced me to play bass, but to go Fretless.

[@mindhead2005]

Yes! Dan’s is a Synapse XS1-5FPA Custom in sunburst. I have one the same colour! I loved his work with the Fixx, particularly Calm Animals Guy Pratt is amazing

[@extantia]

@@mindhead2005 It was Guy’s work on the “Measure for Measure” album and Dan’s work on the “Walkabout” album that first grabbed my attention. Then there’s Mick Karn- Great chatting with you- I’ll be sure to subscribe to your channel.

[@mindhead2005]

@@extantia thank you! I must do some Fixx bass!

[@stephenbennett1643]

I have a normal shape black Hohner, Profesional B Bass , with Steinberger bridge and normal Headstock. Paid £250 .00 SH in 1994 and have to say it is easily my fave and the best bass i have even better than my Buttercream Fender P Bass ! Such a joy and so easy to play . I to would grab this if the house caught fire . So glad i have oe of these wonderful basses, as they are no longer in production .😩 They really pack a punch with they're active pick up. A Slappers dream .

[@mindhead2005]

They’re great basses!

[@springy-2112]

I'm so glad it's not just me with all the headless basses! That's reminded me I still have 2 in bits need rebuilding and finishing. I've never had an actual "Real " Steinberger only loads of Hohners and a couple of Spirits. But always had good times with the B2, B2a, The Jack and fretless B2s. I really should finish building my short scale headless.....one day... Peace and love brother! " I don't like Mondays in this Banana Republic because Like Clockwork its a Rat Trap " So sorry I couldn't help myself.. ✌️❤️🤗 Ps ... Someone's looking at you! .... it's me!

[@mindhead2005]

They’re ALWAYS looking at ya woah-oh-oh-oh!! Thanks as always my friend

[@springy-2112]

@@mindhead2005 ✌️❤️😃

[@Ivuspp]

Great video! It seems like the hohner and the spirit ones have a more "V-shaped" body in contrast with the real steinbergers

[@mindhead2005]

Ever so slightly yes

[@stevendietrich4894]

You forgot about the best headless bass of all!! The original Washburn Bantam. It sounds amazing!! Real wood body with passive pickups. And I can use any strings I like because it locks the strings at the nut instead of having to use double ball strings. Made by Matsumoku in Japan during the 80’s. They are very hard to come by these days!! This is my number one bass!! The easiest playing, best sounding bass I’ve had in the 45 years I’ve been playing! Maybe on your next comparison??

[@mindhead2005]

If I had one, or could borrow one, I’d love to compare it! I remember seeing them advertised but never saw one here. Yamaha had the BX1 as well I’d love one of those

[@mindhead2005]

But the L2 cannot be beaten, I reckon You can use regular strings on those as well, and the composite body gives even string response and no dead notes, and means you rarely have to retune! They’re crazy money now

[@pjmuck]

That Spirit sounds surprisingly good. I used to own a Brooklyn made '83 L2, though I'm a lefty and it was right handed. I finally found a lefty '90 XL2A and sold the '83, but the '83 definitely sounded better. More organic? Less sterile and cold?

[@mindhead2005]

I think the A versions definitely sound more modern But I think that’s as much to do with what the pre brings You could always drop a set of EMG HBCS into it and see if it gets you closer to what you remember of the L2? I personally think it’s about middle frequencies that were overboosted in the L2 by the addition of the metal plate in those early pickups My pink XLs pickups gave up after a fall and I’ve a set of HBCS to put in so we may yet get a comparison vid Thanks so much for your story and contribution :)

[@HeadfirstHumanity]

The Camera Eye! :D

[@mindhead2005]

Grim faced and forbidding!! Great spot!

[@virgilrytaar9083]

Great film. Sold my L2 for peanuts when I had a deal in '90. Deep regret

[@mindhead2005]

Always time for another, Virgil! Sorry to hear that

[@mixc8]

@mindhead2005: Did you ever do a full video on the Synapse bass? I am really interested on how you feel about them. I see you have a short video. But I am hoping you have a full video .

[@mindhead2005]

I plan to do just that. I have one with the pickup changed to an EMG DC40 and I think that makes it such a great bass for me

[@mixc8]

@@mindhead2005 Great! in your opinion where would you put the Synapse between the XT, B2A and L2/XL2 models? I have one (5 string version and diff put it above the XT,B2A but just a bit below the L2/XL2).

[@mindhead2005]

@@mixc8 yes, it's it's higher end than the Hohner and Spirits but not near the level of the L series

[@buba51]

Hi! Thanks for your video. Quick question : is it difficult to tune it? Thank you again

[@mindhead2005]

Not at all. In fact it’s easier to tune than traditional basses You can also keep the note you played going on your left hand as you tune with your right

[@marylewis3311]

That strap mod on the last two basses looks interesting it moves both strap buttons across nicely. Is it an official Steinberger part ? Is it metal and does it rotate slightly ? Thanks for the shootout 🙏 much appreciated.

[@marylewis3311]

I just googled and found it straight away lol. I have never seen it before. I have to mod my B2 my left arm is struggling, but I think moving both buttons would be best for me.

[@mindhead2005]

It’s a part made by a friend of mine. It’s a copy of the Synapse strap hook It would work even better if it were say 2 cm longer but really sorts than F note stretch even as it is. There’s no need to move the other strap button by the tuners It doesn’t rotate at all His email if you want to order one is [e-mail]

[@mindhead2005]

Let me know what other headless content you’d like to see!

[@MatteoRegazzi]

@@mindhead2005 could it work also on a Hohner B2A without mods ? Thanks for sharing

[@mindhead2005]

@@MatteoRegazzi the only mod will be a couple of screw holes These are still inexpensive basses and if a screw hole or two makes it better, do it

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Having briefly owed a Spirit GT Pro (which I didn’t keep because I never learned how to stop the high E from detuning to a C) that I regretted letting go of, I could possibly see myself purchasing one of these basses, if I could afford one that had a 5-star review rating. The Spirit model has attracted at least one negative reaction; if memory serves, the owner said that it ca,e apart on him. (I liked your comparison of the gig bag for the Spirit model with a slice of McDonald’s cheese.) To be sure, was that Hohner built with the string adapter that permits you to switch between regular strings and double ball ones?

[@mindhead2005]

No. That is available separately. My experience with the spirit ones is that they’re fine. The older ones ARE Hohners, but with a phenolic board, then they became Hohners with a spirit logo. Then they were outsourced to outside the Cort factory. I’ve owned examples of them all. I don’t think any of the ones I owned would fall apart, but I don’t know how that owner treated it or what he meant.

[@Dream-Academy]

Click this to listen: Spirit XT-2 5:04 both 6:49 bridge, Hohner B2A 10:37 11:01 front 11:21 back 12:15 preamp, '86 Steinberger XL2 14:41 both 15:35 neck 16:40 bridge, '81 Steinberger XL2 18:47 both 19:23 neck 20:27 bridge

[@mindhead2005]

Brill Thanks!!

[@pablo-pp6tc]

Wonderfull, steinberger L2 is active pick-ups?

[@mindhead2005]

Thank you! Yes The old SS pickups Passive tone control

[@TheHumesMusic]

The 'mistake' at 5:53 actually sounded pretty great. You should blend in some mic with your DI signal when slapping that funk stick.

[@mindhead2005]

Listening to it again, you’re not wrong! 😀 Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@steviemac8075]

T 15:28 this bass has Frankie Two Tribes tutorial written all over it. I think 🤔 we are both of the same era. Not old just vintage 😂

[@mindhead2005]

I must do one for two tribes

[@extantia]

It has occurred to me that the reason for the difference in tone for L-series basses and the Spirits - it’s that the L’s have hollow bodies as opposed to the later wooden models. I observed this when a luthier friend cleaned the pots on my Fretless XL-25AUF. I was surprised to see how much empty space was inside when he disassembled the body. I do have a fretted XT-25 for impromptu gigs and travel because my XL is crazy expensive and in a rare configuration. I did recently order active EMG 35 J and JX-CS pickups to put in the Spirit but it looks like it won’t make that much difference according to one of your posts in the comments section.

[@mindhead2005]

Thanks for the comment! Working backwards your new pickups WILL make a difference in clarity and volume They just won’t make it sound like a Steinberger. If you’re keeping it, it’s a good idea. I had one I put an EMG BTC and a DC40 in. With regard to the difference in tone being because of the hollow section, it’s possible but I don’t think so. I had an XM2 that sounded so like my L2 I couldn’t easily tell them apart on recordings. I think it’s down to mass and what Ned reckons it was - rigidity An all wooden bass is not going to be as rigid as one with a graphite neck or an all graphite construction That’s what I think it’s down to. Keep that XL25UF! Wowsers! I’ll be doing a video showing my three Synapse 5s soon Graphite U channel in the neck. They sound nothing like the L series! Thanks again Mick

[@extantia]

@@mindhead2005 You’re welcome and thank you for the vid and reassurance regarding my new incoming pickups. it’s ok if the XT-25 doesn’t sound like an L model. I live on a sailboat and wanted something compact that doesn’t have a headstock to get pranged in close quarters. Also something that’s easy to lug up and down the companionway and the 100 yards or so up the dock to my car.

[@mindhead2005]

@@extantia the headless form factor can’t be beaten for space saving!

[@massimilianomagni2351]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@SuperCasotti1]

Great comparison. I have both the xl and l and I will never sell them. What strings do you have on the L2?

[@mindhead2005]

Thank you! I think they’re Trace Elliot. They did strings years ago and I bought a job lot I love them But that’s the last set :(

[@SuperCasotti1]

@@mindhead2005 Are they double ball? I am trying to find them lol. There is a set on reverb but they are not double ball.

[@mindhead2005]

@@SuperCasotti1 they are I use LaBella Steinberger branded strings now. Where are you based?

[@SuperCasotti1]

@@mindhead2005 in NC but I currently use labella flats and rounds and they are nice but the trace strings sound great

[@mindhead2005]

I don’t think it’s the strings, myself. This L2 is very early and apparently there was more Kevlar in the blend? It’s the heaviest L2 I’ve owned and by far the loudest. It’s also the best sounding one by far.

[@cagesound]

I was thinking after the XL2 'no need to upgrade my B2A'... then the L2 came out. Now I need 4 grand 😭

[@mindhead2005]

Lol, thanks a mill for watching. The L2 is the daddy. And it’s four grand NOW! Buy one before they’re six! 😂

[@mixc8]

LOL Same here! :)

[@joshuahenry7482]

Woah a pink L? Are you on the steinberger facebook group? I need to see more of that thing!

[@mindhead2005]

I am indeed! I’ve documented it before but there’s a video update coming soon

[@joshuahenry7482]

@@mindhead2005 I definitely want to see that! I have never heard of any pink L series instruments. I actually have one of the rare Red GL's.

[@Riccardo_Silva]

The XL2 is the real thing! Carbon fiber and all...the wooden ones can't compare (in my opinion!!!) to any of the "normal" basses...but that "plastic" beauty sounds great! Too bad they are so pricey!

[@mindhead2005]

Yes true But you’ll only ever need ONE! Thanks so much for the nice comment

[@mixc8]

@mindhead: Just curious since you have the L2/XL2 does the Hohner & XT2 see much use?

[@mindhead2005]

Absolutely no use whatsoever. Honestly, in this context where you can level the gain between them and sit with the instrument on your knee, they seem closer than they are Live it’s a different story. The ergonomics on the XL2 and L2 (I prefer the L2 ergonomics personally. They’re slightly shorter and the pivot plate is slightly different )are second to none and they’re just so much easier to play than the XT or Hohner Great question , thank you!

[@mixc8]

@@mindhead2005 Thanks for getting back to me, another quick question what's your take on the Synapse?

[@mindhead2005]

@@mixc8 I play two Synapse 5s for live gigs. They are miles better than a Spirit but not as good as the real deal ones I’ll be doing a video on those soon

[@mixc8]

@@mindhead2005 Tell you why I ask, I have over 50 basses & guitars because I have a recording studio. I really love headless basses & guitars and go back with Steinberger since day one. Back then in the 80's only the top musicians could afford them, who can forget Eddie Van Halen's 5150 Steinberger . Fast forward to today I am amazed how headless axes are very popular. I have headless Kiesels, Strandberg and Ibenaz. So I wanted to add a Steinberger to the collection but as you know the originals still cost a pretty penny. After doing research I discovered that Gibson took over the brand. So out of curiosity I picked up the XT 5 string bass about 2 years back. I was going to get it as a project bass and maybe do some mods. I know it does get the greatest reviews but I think it's not half bad. Since I am a studio owner it all about cutting through the mix for me. I don't care if it's a $200 bass or a $2000 bass, and I have basses that cost me $3k, as long as it cuts through the mix. I came across the Synapse series a few years back and picked up the Synaspe transcale guitar and I just love it! It's Baritone with a sliding capo as you know with EMG's and great tone. So I been meaning to get a Synapse bass for the past few years but the price have sky rocketed on them. Just the other day I got lucky and won one on Ebay for $800 :) I feel the Synapse series are the closest to the original IMO at a reasonable cost. True there is a difference between them and the originals but I also see a few pros playing them. I am still going to an XL2 soon, just looking to snag one for a good price.You got to admit the original still hold their value :) So now since I got the Synapse bass I am going to sell the XT but part of me what to keep it LOL. I see on KZbin one guy put EMG's in his and it sound pretty good.

[@mindhead2005]

@@mixc8 I really wouldn’t put EMGs in the XT It won’t change it enough, from my experience I did it to several - an XT, a Hohner and an XZ and I found it disappointing I did put an EMG 40DC in a Spirit with a BTC control at the Musicman position and it was punchy but still lacked heft somehow I also found the string tension too hard for some reason Changing the pots might give you similar results The Synapse doesn’t sound anything like the originals but it’s an ok sound The high end is a little weird and the piezo and mag pick-up don’t seem to mesh when you blend them, so I don’t bother The reason I use them for my gigs is that the originals are just worth too much money I was bringing out the transtrem bass in my other video, and the L2 featured here until someone pointed out I was crazy 😄

[@happylaura0]

Do you feel your right hand and arm tired compared with another Bass?

[@mindhead2005]

No. Quite the opposite. When I play a normal bass, the body is sort of in my way all the time. Remember when your arm is over the body it’s not really as if it’s taking a massive amount of weight, because the body cut is gradual anyway . Your thumb is. And that’s the same with a headless bass. Well that’s how it is for me anyway.

[@tomlechat3778]

Hey, Mindhead2005, Différence electronic between XL 2 et L2? And Pick up? Thks

[@mindhead2005]

None between these two My XL2 has L2 electronics But my OTHER XL2 has the HB IV/ V I prefer the SS pickups from the L

[@tomlechat3778]

@@mindhead2005 YES!!! I have a XL2 from 87. And I prefer the sound from your L2. So, i'm thinking substitute EMG HBCS ( like a SS pickup). Sorry from my english, je suis français!

[@mindhead2005]

@@tomlechat3778 Ah! Bonjour Tom, enchante! Having had HBCS, I personally don't think they sound like SS, but the consensus is they are supposed to be close. That hasn't been my experience. I think they're still too "polite". I think you'll get closer with a little grit from a pedal, making sure the pickups are close enough to the strings and digging in. After all, have you ever heard a bad sounding Steinberger? The pickups aren't the only factor that give the L2 it's tone. The bridge is solid brass, milled. Having said that, THIS one is the best of all the L2s I've had - it's also the heaviest - and the pink XL is the best of all the XL2's I've had. If you decide to try the HBCS, it's a simple amtter to change over, and let me know how you get on! :) Merci beacoup et je vous remercie de votre gentils mots

[@ferrislevoi7639]

i have a hohher B2A : you can listen a song ("hypocrisie") on my channel with it (only bass and vocal). it was in EMG HB (active pickups) configuration without any preamp. i have an 1988 steinberger XL 2A too. For me this bass has greater potential and versality than hohher B2A, but hohher B2A has much woody ton then the steinberger XL 2A . HAZ preamp had problem on the steinberger XL 2A and i didn't want battery anymore. Also, I replaced the pickups on the Hohner B2 and the steinberger XL2 with pitbull rio grande's pickups, but because they don't have the same dimensions, i had to modified them and the result is not good... So my question: do you now some powerfull passive pickups with the same dimensions of EMG HB ? thank's a lot

[@mindhead2005]

There’s a passive version of the EMG HB as fitted to the P series instruments that weren’t active I’m not a fan of passive pickups in an XL2, but there’s a solution I would personally reinstall the EMGs WITHOUT the HAZ preamp This gives you Vol Vol PASSIVE tone So you’ll get the best of both worlds I never liked the Haz pre and aside from my transtrem all my Steinbergers since have been wired this way.

[@ferrislevoi7639]

@@mindhead2005 👍 thank you very much for your quick response. i will try your solution :^)

[@billhuey8866]

How to you get the strap extender ?

[@mindhead2005]

Email [e-mail]

[@darrendowler]

Where can I get that strap adaptor?

[@mindhead2005]

They’re handmade in Ireland by a friend Email him here and say I sent you! [e-mail]

[@rapturekevin]

A status S2 would be the best.

[@mindhead2005]

I had two of them and didn’t get on with them. The board is very wide and flat and the neck is shallow, depth wise. I also found the distance between the pickups so wide that a severe scoop was present and I ended up rolling the pan towards the neck to stop it disappearing in the mix. If someone wants to lend me one again, I’ll happily a/b them, but for me, the L2 cannot be beaten

[@josiahnsonsproductions8735]

The last place I would have thought to find someone who wears the same watch as me

[@mindhead2005]

The wife put paid to that!! 😂 she bought me an apple watch

[@skyovercloker]

12 years ago rescued from a patio in the open, one of those incomplete basses, it had the neck and the bridge, but it was missing the fingerboard and the headstock, which I built, leaving it fretless... it is worth mentioning that it seems to have been a "spirit", but from the first demos, since it had interesting variants, today it is a heatless-fretless-bass here is.- kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3WtpI1pq82ojKMsi=GondaD_jn2yoVs2_

[@mindhead2005]

That’s the wrong shape for a Spirit. It looks more like the “River” bass that was made around the same time Amazing job rescuing it and you play it well

[@skyovercloker]

Originally (where yours says spirit) it has "Arbor" tuned licensed by steinberger and the bridge reads "Under License int Pat Pend" which makes me think that it is a demo of the beginning of manufacturing of that model or something like that. thanks for your reply @@mindhead2005

[@mindhead2005]

@@skyovercloker arbor was a brand of Cort / Hohner Hohner made the copies that were later manufactured with firstly an ebony fingerboard as “Spirit”. The Arbor ones were more commonly seen in America, here they were more rectangular and sold as Hohner

[@mindhead2005]

@@skyovercloker many companies licenced hardware from Steinberger for their wooden headless guitars and basses When music yo did us bodies with Moses necks in the early 2000s they used licenced hardware too

[@kaybhee6]

how much,,, where

[@mindhead2005]

How much for what?

[@zyxwfish]

The steinbergers sounded the best.

[@mindhead2005]

I think so too People often say to me that their spirit or Hohner sounds just as good, but I just can’t agree

[@zyxwfish]

@@mindhead2005 I wonder if the spirit with the same active EMG’s would help it to sound closer to the steinberger.

[@mindhead2005]

@@zyxwfish I’ve done that and the answer is not really

[@zyxwfish]

@@mindhead2005 interesting

[@mindhead2005]

@@zyxwfish I know it seems like it should help but even unplugged they sound different and a pick-up can only help amplify what’s there It can’t replace what’s not, if that makes sense

[@aro9462]

Steinbergers vs. Neinbergers

[@mindhead2005]

Lol

[@kaybhee6]

weather report

[@mindhead2005]

Jaco?

[@arsxxmoriendi]

Oh, I hear you playing The Camera Eye over there.

[@mindhead2005]

Ha! It’s a banger!

[@wrinkleneckbass]

I heard that too. I also heard the bass solo from You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon.

[@willoke8]

Matthew Bean!, Based in Cork?? He recently made and sent me a couple of string Jaws.

[@mindhead2005]

The very man. He’s an invaluable resource to keep these instruments roadworthy