Steinberger Spirit Review

[@hrgiger]

I love your enthusiasm for this guitar and I love your unashamed appreciation of the beautiful design. It is a wonderful guitar that was incredibly ahead of it's time. This is a great review that completely sidesteps the prejudice these instruments have been unfairly tarred with. Keep up the good work!

[@jonathananthony1901]

Mine is arriving today! Ive had one before, and i regret selling it. On the one im getting today im planning on putting in: Dimarzio AT-1 for the bridge Dimarzio Chopper for the middle Dimarzio PAF 36th for rhe neck. New pots, and new switch. Cant wait!

[@davefalbo9204]

I put a tele noiseless neck pickup the middle pickup space on my Steinberger Spirit and I love it. I haven’t gotten around to switching out the humbuckers on my guitar, but the single coil was so bad that it was totally useless.

[@leokimvideo]

Great guitar for the players who have had hip replacements or spinal taps. Paul Stanley used one after his major surgery in the late 80's

[@Venom_Snek]

Spinal Tap, eh? That'd make for a good band name.

[@mca1960]

Today I got one these too. Used for a nice price without any dents. But I had to set the neck, saddles, tuning in a proper way. Now it's fine. My Spirit has HSS pickups, not your HSH.

[@TheBlackHelicopterRevue]

My whammy bar falls out, it only fits in to the hole a couple of mm, and it drops out without even leaning forward - any movement at all it drops on to the floor. Have I missed something?

[@Rad_Schuhart]

I am a bit late to the party and you probably know that by now, but there is a small hex screw next to the bar,loose it a bit and you will be able to insert the bar much more.

[@MerlinCrowley77]

Best demo on the Spirit I have seen. Mine comes Friday!

[@rochambeaux5256]

Superb review delivered with wit, gentle authority and a welcome lack of showboating. Cheers! I need one of these guitars now!

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Thank you kindly!

[@chrisforrest4581]

Great review I've always loved the little Steinberger paddle guitars. I had one of the original ones but I was using it as a travel guitar and I was worried it would get stolen or lost (and sold it) so I've always wondered about the Spirit model. Thanks

[@danchatka8613]

You have made a splendid review for anyone considering this guitar. Thank you.

[@artadams1]

replaced the bridge pickup with a seymour duncan JB HS-4 on mine. Love this little guitar now.

[@tjsogmc]

I have a Steinberger 5 string left hand and I really like it a lot! It's not everybody's cup of tea, it's got a specific vibe that might not be right for everyone. But it's a great bass, it feels and plays fine- I can find nothing really wrong with it. I've not issues with the double ball strings; I buy them 3 or 4 packs at a time and it's no issue really. I travel internationally a lot, and the Steinberger fits in overhead bins with no issues. If I have one criticism, it's the way the strap hangs on the body. As stock, it puts the fret board all the way out of reach. But all I did was move the strap peg from the bottom of the body to the middle, now it hangs beautifully.

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Excellent stuff mate!

[@MrIanji]

I bought a Spirit after seeing this video. After I set it up, it plays extremely well and is by far the most comfortable guitar I have. Now all else feels like a boat. Gonna get the pickups changed at some point. Thanks for the video bro!!

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Great to hear!

[@MrSirorayge]

Hi Bruce, it's Rob from Mold. I miss our chats and lessons. I had one of these whilst I lived in Germany for awhile, bought as a travel guitar. I really should have kept it, you've made me remember how good it was. I planned to paint it silver so I could live out my 'Tin Machine' fantasies.

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Quality Rob, Quality. Hope you are ok and still playing mate?

[@scottnathanphoto]

I have a mid 80's Hohner Steinberger. I refretted it back then. Pulled the rubbish pickups and replaved them with a Seymour Jeff Beck in the bridge and a Pearly Gates in the neck. Curious to play the Spirit. it seems better. Wish they'd make a premium carbon one again.

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Its so weird. I am away from home at the moment, and have taken this cheap little guitar with me, and it plays just as well as my 'main' guitars at home, which are at least 5X the price. I honestly think if more people could see past name recognition they could grab some real bargains. Lets not forget Gibson couldn't give Les Pauls away before Appetite For Destruction caught (I saw them for utter buttons in pawn shops in New York). Try and buy a late 80s Les Paul now!!!

[@akeeperofoddknowledge4956]

My attraction to this guitar is that it reminds me of the "form follows function" philosophy. It strikes me as an engineering student's college project, stripping away everything non-essential, leaving a stripped-down, bare bones minimalist instrument. I picture it being used to play futuristic, science fictiony songs like 2112 and The Body Electric, Red Barchetta by RUSH and Children Of The Sun by Billy Thorpe. I realize these songs were released years before the Steinberger hit the market, but you get the idea. Btw, I have that same guitar in all black- like a proof-of-concept or a prototype. It fits the character as I see it. Nice review and I love your enthusiasm for such an off-the-wall designed guitar!

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Thanks man. Nice to not be bombarded with negativity for a change. Hope you enjoy it!

[@M_C79]

I wish they'd used a combo headpiece, like on the older Synapse models. I like double ball strings, but when the high E breaks on a relatively new set, you have the option of replacing just that, without breaking up an entire set of strings.

[@MightyGreedo]

11/20/21 I want one of these so bad. But for a couple months now they've been impossible to find here in the US. Other than eBay for inflated prices. My search continues.

[@darwinsaye]

I used to have the ‘licensed by Steinberger’ Hohner G2T, identical to this, minus the middle pickup. Brilliant guitar that I’ve been sorely missing so I’m picking up a new Spirit next month. Just wanted to point out that the construction is actually a basswood body with a 3 piece maple neck set into the body with a tenon running just under the neck pickup, rather than neck-through which would have the neck run all the way to the end of the body with wings glued to each side to form the rest of the body. That is how the current construction is described by Steinberger’s site, my local music store, and a luthier’s description online.

[@stamppedals3536]

Do you like more your old guitar Than spirit?

[@stamppedals3536]

G2T is classic neckthru?

[@darwinsaye]

@@stamppedals3536 I never did buy a Spirit. They had none in all of Canada and it would have been months of waiting.

[@stamppedals3536]

@@darwinsaye have g2T And I Think it’s better maybe just Korean spirits are gut

[@hiranimotors]

Hey Bruce , please could you update us on the Steinberger upgrade ?? Which pickups did you get ?

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Hi. I put BYO Blizzard of 59 pickups in it, with CTS pots and CRL selector switch, as well as the string adaptor. Also had a setup by my man Doug Abraham. Love it! Plays and sound amazing. I keep picking up my Musicman JP6, or Fender Malmsteen Strat, but there just doesn't feel like thousands of pounds worth of difference, and if you are uncomfortable playing, or damaging your wrists/shoulders/back/hips with poor posture for hours on end then it doesn't matter how expensive of fancy your guitar is. Eventually you will not be able to play at all!

[@warrenb79]

Makes me think of the end scene of Bill and Ted. Wyld Stallions rule! Goes against everything I like in a guitar, and yet I'm strangely tempted.... Enjoying the new review format. Nice work mate.

[@RUSTY-A-L]

Excellent review Bruce as a beginner I was considering the Steinberger or the Traveler Guitar for the ergonomics.

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Thanks Rusty, really appreciate it :) I actually used it to travel to a gig at the weekend where space was an issue, and it stood up amazingly. Could I badger you for a sub? Cheers. B.

[@r.y.4854]

Me, too. I do love your enthusiasm to the Steinbeger. Your explanation comes to my head and mind so smoothly. Anywayz, I also fell in love with your Tee!

[@colb999]

Good review Bruce and you managed to be fair with it unlike many others. I'm primarily a bassist, having had an XL2 since new and bought this because I just love Ned's designs. I think the pickups are fine and have a bunch of others in my parts box I could swap in but haven't bothered in the 3y or so I've had it. Hope you're still enjoying it. PS: I bought a padded double shotgun case and I can carry this, the bass, my Fishman pre and cables etc in about the same size and weight as a full size bass in a gigbag.

[@The_2_2For_Real]

I'm thinking of getting one of these, look amazing and way cheaper than anything else looking similar. How would this work with drop D tuning for example?

[@Dr.BGuitar]

I can't imagine it would be an issue, but I haven't tried it, so may be wrong! Good luck!

[@joewrockg42]

Thanks for the review, just picked one up and crossing my fingers it's in as good as shape as yours was.

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@FrankNitsch]

Thank you for this fine review. You are completely right about not demonstrating the sound, because this is always shaped by so many factors that are NOT to be found in the instrument. You managed to convey your excitement in a way that the viewer just wants to have this guitar! :-D Honestly, I've been convinced even before watching the video, but you are making so many good points and confirm my decision to get one. However, there are two little comments I would like to make: 1) the construction is indeed "neck through" and this means that the neck really extends to the whole length. Two pieces of wood are glued to the sides and that's it. 2) the secondary belt pin is rather not for hanging the guitar, but for reasons of symmetry and for securing the instrument. Guess what would happen to the bottom corner of the guitar if you place it against the wall as you've shown? The second pin helps keeping the paint nice and undamaged, and the guitar stands on two little feet this way. I think this in another brilliant design decision - like the overall guitar. I'm very curious about the ergonomic aspect you've been talking about and showing. This is the only thing I have serious doubts about: since all my guitars have these arm supports, how could it work without? But what you say makes sense. I'm really impatient to get my copy of it and think that the price is just unbeatable. Hearing from a professional that it's so good: wow! I have already planned to replace the pickups, because I also hope this will not only be a travel guitar but one on the same level with my other instruments. Thanks once more. ;-)

[@Dr.BGuitar]

You are very welcome Frank. The arm support thing was a worry for me as well, particularly coming from guitars like my Musicman JP6 with the cutout for extra support, but actually I neded to move away from anchoring my picking hand anyway so this really helped. I also realised how much tension I was putting into my right arm sort of holding the guitar tightly, which is not possible with this one. I have gigged many times over the last few months with this and it has not let me down in any way, and man are the string changes a liberation! Enjoy!

[@FrankNitsch]

Wow, it's surprising that you are playing this guitar on stage also. It sounded like it's your perfect buddy for playing and teaching at home. But using it in front of an audience and having this kind of confidence into it, that's even better. You mean changing strings with this clampy thing at the end of the neck? I'm getting from the video that you are not a big fan of the available choices of double ball end strings, even though changing them seems to be the quickest. You're happy with the clamping mechanism and find that much quicker than using regular headstock tuners?

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Oh God Yes! I came from floating bridges in my youth (the horror!) and eventually settled on fixed bridge guitars so I could change strings 20 ins before a gig or session, but with this (and the adaptor) I can use my normal ernie-ball strings, slip the ball end into the bridge, the other end through the adaptor, and 5 minutes later I am in tune and ready to go. No winding or cocking around at all! I also love all the comments I get from the public and guitarists about how unusual it is, and how good it sounds!

[@thislisa]

Thank you for the review. Are you still enjoying this guitar?

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Thanks! I am. I keep picking up my really expensive guitars with much better woods and necks, which obviously have better tone, but keep coming back to this one for the ergonomics! Just wish it had my Fender neck and pickups!

[@thislisa]

@@Dr.BGuitar Thank you for that info. Is the neck profile thin or chunky?

[@Dr.BGuitar]

think slightly fat fender C

[@thislisa]

@@Dr.BGuitar Good to know! Thank you.

[@alankennedy5842]

Excellent review. Straightforward and to the point. They are very underrated guitars and, as you say, fantastic value for the money. The quilted finish ones are stunning.

[@williammolina9792]

Hello. Im interested in buying one. But i need to know is this a thin, or thick neck. ??

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Its more of a Fender C shape in the middle to be honest. Not like an Ibanez, but not like a Les Paul, just nicely in the middle. Think a 335 or similar.

[@williammolina9792]

@@Dr.BGuitar Ok. Thank you very much.

[@chuckterrell6086]

Buying one today. Looking forward to more videos about this guitar

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Thanks Chuck. I am going to do some playing videos using it.

[@lukeedwards737]

Hi Bruce, great review thanks! The link to the String Adapter doesn't work for me. Pls can you post the link again as there's a few options on eBay and I want to pick the right one. Thanks again.

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Hi Luke, pretty sure it was this one: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Steinberger-String-Adapters-Headless-Hohner-Cort-Bass-or-Guitar/224125030396?hash=item342ee48ffc:g:4UwAAOSwqudfPl-K. :)

[@lukeedwards737]

@@Dr.BGuitar thanks!

[@laydownmisere3674]

Great review, watched it as I have had one for three years and am happy with it. I was really surprised and pleased with the sustain and the way it just stays in tune (always have the bridge locked on mine, never used the trem). i was also pleased that the frets were polished, smoother than on any Harley Benton and Squire I have played . Quality wise, I do put it in the same basket as HB and Squire, which makes it expensive, but as I take mine on a plane and travel with it, that sort of justifies the high price tag for a budget made guitar. I have had zero issues with mine, as you say the selector switch, knobs and pots feel really good, in fact all of the hardware is good, apart from the pickups. Mine is the HSS model and if it was a main guitar I would change them out. Would be really good to know how you are going with it now after 3 months of owning it.

[@jeremydunn5012]

Do you know if it still comes in the has configuration?

[@timruss7609]

When I balance the trumola in my GT pro the locking arm is so loose that it unlocks, this guitar is brand new I was wondering if this is a common problem with these guitars

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Yikes, sorry to hear that Tim. Mine is ok, maybe others have experience of this?

[@rayraymond2952]

You stated that the pickups were "horrific", except for distortion sounds. You're quite right. On my Steinberger & Hohner Headlesses, I replaced the original pickups with nice Seymour Duncans. Otherwise, these Steinberger Headless guitars are great. 👍

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Well said!

[@cosmiciron]

I’ve just bought a Korean made Spirit GT Pro. While it’s on its way I’m researching into pickup replacements for it. So far I’ve narrowed the neck/bridge to either EMG H4a or Seymour Duncan P-rails. However, I’ve yet to figure out which middle pickup I should get. May I ask which Seymour Duncan pickup you’d opted for? Thank you!

[@rayraymond2952]

@@cosmiciron/videos/videos Sorry to take so long. However, I just saw your post. [1] I replaced the original PUs with Seymour Duncan: Neck: SHPR-1n P-Rail; Middle: SVR-1n Vintage Rails; Bridge: SH-11 Custom Custom. --[2] On the neck & bridge PUs, I also installed Seymour Duncan Triple Shot, Flat Pickup Mounting Ring Sets. The Triple Shots allow the double-space humbucker pickups to be in parallel (cleaner & clearer, less crunch) or in series (darker, a bit more crunch). --[3] Don't be rough with the Triple shots, because they delicate & too much switch-flipping can cause an interior wire to break. For me, the bridge Custom Custom was better in series, & the neck P-Rail was better in parallel. --[4] I am quite happy with my total setup. I hope that this helps you. Good luck. Richard

[@ericz2197]

看了好几个关于这个琴的评测 这个是最好的！谢谢！

[@breal1183]

Hi Bruce. Great review. Do you feel these Steinberger's are gig worthy?

[@Dr.BGuitar]

I have used mine for my last 4 gigs and it has stood up fantastically. Tuning and tone, and it is sooooo light! This is after my mods though :)

[@breal1183]

@@Dr.BGuitar Happy to hear its working for you!! Thanks for the reply and the great videos!! Im looking for the Yin Yang color like you have but i can't find one ANYWHERE!!!

[@womplestilskin]

Hohner G2T, G3T look very similar, and they ARE a neck through 3 piece rock maple laminate neck. Gibson cost cutting version is a set neck (glued in). It's not a mahogany body and who knows what the neck is made from. Yours is made in china, newer production is Indonesia, much older is Korean. Hohner version also had a wider neck (i have them side by side) The Eart and Latitude headlesses with 5 piece neck and stainless frets are an even better value, but they don't have an R-trem which is a very functional trem.

[@trevkyleaa]

The link for the adapter isn’t working. Can you check it and post it again? I’ve had my Steinberger Spirit for 7 years now, it’s still completely stock. I am going to upgrade the pickups. I’ve lost the whammy bar and worn out the frets though. It’s a super guitar!

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Sure thing man, I bought it off this guy: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Steinberger-String-Adapters-Headless-Hohner-Cort-Bass-or-Guitar/224125030396?hash=item342ee48ffc:g:4UwAAOSwqudfPl-K

[@trevkyleaa]

Thanks! I had one of those but I wasn’t a fan, I decided to go for a different one I found that replaces the entire head for a locking mechanism. J-custom don’t seem to make their’s anymore-They look the best to me.

[@Dr.BGuitar]

@@trevkyleaa Cool :)

[@GeorgeGeorge-xj2bc]

I think its a great guitar but in most comments i have read people keep talking about magnets replacements especially to this guitar and no other else just making the impression that this guitar is made as a purpose of a toy having interchangable parts and the joy is found not playing it but in the replacement.Every time i read similar comments about everything then i think this must be something great.

[@MrBadazcamro]

Bruce where can I get that mod so I can use regular strings on my stienberg??

[@ghostlack]

I've been looking at this guitar for a few months. Now I'm sold, but I'm sure I'll need to change the pickups and get that adapter too.

[@Dr.BGuitar]

For sure! I am now using this as my main teaching guitar for about 5 hours a day and have never been more relaxed with my playing! Best money I ever spent on an instrument (which the 18 year old me would have kicked my ass to hear!).

[@ghostlack]

@@Dr.BGuitar thanks for the reply! I really like the sound of soap bar p90s, especially for the neck position. Any thoughts on replacing the steinberger neck humbucker with a humbucker size p90?

[@Dr.BGuitar]

I put BYO Blizzard of 59 set in the bridge and neck, and a seymour duncan Quarter Pound in the middle. So cool!

[@John-tk6wd]

sir I plan to get this guitar how is it? thanks! I was looking at a solar guitar but I kind of like this. I Know they different. @@Dr.BGuitar

[@Aletheia_Z]

The link for the string adapter does not work anymore, any other links that sell it?

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Not sure buddy, sorry. I am not associated with them or anything, so it might just be a search for you. They were on ebay and from Canada or New York as I remember. Good hunting :)

[@smudgepost]

High E (0.010 inch): about 16.2 pounds B (0.013 inch): about 15.4 pounds G (0.017 inch): about 16.6 pounds D (0.026 inch): about 18.4 pounds A (0.036 inch): about 19.5 pounds Low E (0.046 inch): about 17.5 pounds Approx 103.6 pounds total!

[@joeking433]

How would you compare the Steinberger to the Eart or Latitude headless guitars?

[@Dr.BGuitar]

The Steinberger is much lighter and easier to sit with, but has a lot less wood and not as nice a neck as the EART, but saying that I do gig with the Steinberger but not the EART. Hope that helps :)

[@joeking433]

@@Dr.BGuitar Thanks.

[@mortkebab2849]

I'm not clear on your comment about replacing the pickups: Are replacements easy to install to fit properly?

[@Dr.BGuitar]

I had my guitar tech do it, but he didn't say it was any kind of special issue :)

[@thesleepstate]

How many did your luth charge for this? I understand wiring space is tight internally@@Dr.BGuitar

[@DirtyOldSkunk]

Great video! Super informative, and nice to hear your thorough experiences and feelings on it. Love the vibe and your humor as well. Was a little skeptical at such an affordable price and hearing some folk talk about grievances with the build under the hood... but you got me really looking at these. For someone who has always wanted a headless and digs the old steinberger vibe, this seems like it performs well and is a ton of fun to play. Do you feel it has held up well since you originally picked it up?

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Thanks for the kind words! Yes I am still totally happy with it. The mods I mentioned improved it massively, so obviously that is worth considering, but even then you are only looking at a sub £500 guitar that now plays and sounds really great.

[@booshting3520]

I put JB and 59 in mine. Fixed it right up

[@MntnBass]

Great video, just bought a Spirit bass.

[@suminshizzles6951]

3 piece neck through. At least this is what i read. No carbon reinforcing which is sad. Sad, because i am most likely gonna see if some luthier can do it for me. Humid house that shreds my strat necks so i am done with wood and saving up for a real steinberger.

[@Dr.BGuitar]

I bought a dehumidifier, as the UK is basically a swamp for most of the year and I was sick of getting my guitars necks adjusted! May be worth a go for you :)

[@mariadipky8535]

WOW..BEAUTIFUL GUITAR

[@rnrsteev]

14" radius. I love mine, 2003.

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Cool, cheers :)

[@jamesnicholson2967]

Really great review, love mine 👌

[@leslieperry3001]

Very intelligent review.

[@israelfigueroa598]

I almost bought a strandberg the other day 2700$ with shipping, but i was a bit scared from a lot of people having QC problems.. in the end i ended up buying a suhr i'm just waiting for it to arrive Nice guitar for 350$ that's amazing

[@williammolina9792]

Hello. Is it made in china. ??

[@Dr.BGuitar]

I think so

[@mca1960]

The body is limewood, the neck is maple 3 pieces. No mahogany wood.

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Cheers for watching! The site I bought it from said Mahogony, Andertons claim Basswood, seems opinions vary, but it's not really the point of what I was trying to do.

[@zyxwfish]

I’ve wanted for one for almost a decade. I need to sell off a few guitars to justify buying one.

[@Dr.BGuitar]

😂 I know that feeling!

[@bestbass42]

Try tacking it apart, you'll be shocked! Different blocks of wood all glued together.

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Still more reliable than my PRS S2, and with the upgrades it sounds better as well. Go figure!

[@bestbass42]

@@Dr.BGuitar I Had the Trans Blue Steinberger Synapse about 8 years ago but foolishly sold it when I needed to raise some money for a car (I even put an unboxing video on here!) Recently been after another in White but cant find one anywhere. I Liked the Kiesel Holdsworth HH2X but thought I'd by a 'Stein Spirit' first to get some practice on. Had one in my cart at GAK then watched the video in link below, it put me right off! So I have taken the plunge, ordered TWO HH2X from Kiesel but as delivery not for 20 weeks I've also bought a Hohner GT3 off ebay to practice on for a couple of months! Love headless guitars, wish Steinberger would either make them again or let Gibson build them like before. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oauaoWdmYsdpqdE

[@GeorgeGeorge-xj2bc]

It's impossible to build a guitar using only one piece of wood except something taken from large Amazonian forest trees.At least this one is small body size.

[@armorgiraffe]

i would buy this instantly if the neck was thinner and if it were not a gloss painted neck :(

[@Dr.BGuitar]

I get that. I played Ibanez Wizard necks for years, then moved to the JP6 for a thicker neck, and now love the comfort of that slightly more chunky feel. Not at all a fan of the Les Paul Baseball Bat, but this is just great.

[@RU-HDD-4-HVN]

WOW! Great review!

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Thanks!

[@jjwolfeday]

Strung with angels hair maybe. I just got one of these..very nice. Thanks for the review.

[@Dr.BGuitar]

😂😂

[@oneton7106]

Hi im going to review this guitar. If you want to know how it feels and how it sounds then go get one😂 Turd review lol

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Then it completely suits you. Enjoy.

[@kickpublishing]

I got one of these but the delivery was shocking - I never expected it to be delivered by The Headless Horseman. 80s joke

[@Dr.BGuitar]

I always thought the Headless Horsemen was a Metallica joke!! :)

[@stevenmichael558]

THAT LITTLE GUITAR DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT WEIGHTS 350 POUNDS .

[@Dr.BGuitar]

It so does; I am just about the same size and power as Brian Shaw 😂

[@alexkazares9976]

I didn't buy this guitar because of horrible pickups. The worst pickups I’ve ever heard. Plus, HSH on such small form factor... stupid idea

[@graemecollin]

Flying-V-esque ?? lol

[@GlenParmont-uh6nc]

Crummy video !!

[@Dr.BGuitar]

Then it matches your face :)