Author Topic: Opinions sought: Steinberger Synapse (Read 193 times)

zn_bassman · « **on:** April 26, 2010, 03:03:58 AM »

Hi all,

I have a Status Buzzard-2 and an Alembic Rogue. I'm considering purchase of a Steinberger Synapse as a small, lightweight bass for rehearsals and gigs where neither of these basses are necessary.

I'm attracted by its hybrid graphite-wood neck and combination of 1 magnetic pickup and 1 piezo. It retails for about USD 1,000, so it's a smaller outlay than an all-graphite Status Streamliner or the compact hybrid Zon model.

Anybody have any experience with this model?

Thanks,

Z

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2010, 11:29:45 AM »

Glad you brought that up; I have interest in that model as well. I already have a Steinberger Spirit, which I got because it packs nicely on my motorcycle, but it's not a very high-quality instrument. It's built OK, but the inherent sound is lacking. I put on an EMG BT control and it helps alot. But I might be willing to upgrade to a Synapse, if it is of much higher quality. So... anybody know about them?

alembic76407 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2010, 04:38:44 PM »

I have a Steinberger XM-2 it's a wood body with white binding and a graphite neck, great little bass

bigredbass · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2010, 11:28:47 PM »

For me, I'd pass it by as I refuse to buy anything even remotely connected to Gibson.

Despite the reasons that they quote as to why the wood body/graphite core is an improvement over the originals, I'd certainly believe it's because they do NOT want to get back to forming all-composite bodies ever again. Don't ever underestimate Gibson's capacity to take a great idea/product and completely ruin it.

If I had to have a Steinberger-esque axe, I get one of the little Hohners: Steinberger hardware already in place, then replace the pedestrian pickups and circuits with the real EMG HB's (still available) and the EMG BTC cicuit (way simpler than trying to score one of the old HazLabs set-ups) and call it a day.

J o e y

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2010, 10:45:21 AM »

I had a Hohner Steinberger copy prior to getting the Spirit, and the neck took on a VERY strange shape that could not be fixed with the truss rod. Basically, mine was a P.O.S.

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #5 on:** April 28, 2010, 03:13:15 PM »

Don't ever underestimate Gibson's capacity to take a great idea/product and completely ruin it.

If you've ever played a 50s Les paul or a 60s SG, go to any Guitar Center to check out the current offerings - and prove this true. They can trash their own great ideas as well as someone else's.

Peter

crobbins · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2010, 06:59:34 PM »

Don't ever underestimate Gibson's capacity to take a great idea/product and completely ruin it.

I bought a 57 reissue goldtop Les Paul a few years ago. I sold it as soon as I got the chance.

bigredbass · « **Reply #7 on:** April 29, 2010, 07:20:32 AM »

I basically preferred a Hohner POS to a Spirit POS, though I wouldn't be surprised if they were both built in the same factory under two different contracts.

I'd guess about ten years ago when Gibson bought Trace Elliott (after the exodus of the brain trust to Ashdown), they had Tony Levin on the road doing clinics for Trace. Bening a huge fan, I went to his show at the local Sam Ash. There I corraled several newly-minted Trace executives (former Gibson staffers) and asked them how long it would be before Henry J screwed up Trace and closed it, just like he'd done with Tobias, Steinberger, and Oberheim. Of course they protested mightily that this would NEVER happen and why would I ask such a thing . . . of course, a year later, Trace went under.

This just keeps happening.

J o e y

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #8 on:** April 29, 2010, 08:56:42 AM »

Why does that story remind me of Harley-Davidson??? They bought Buell, then recently shut it down (not even making it available to be purchased and continued!). Oh well, I guess my Buell just became a collector's item.

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2010, 08:58:34 AM »

I guess, also, that this thread is well and sufficiently hijacked! But I am still interesting in anything anyone has to say about the Synapse bass.

bigredbass · « **Reply #10 on:** May 01, 2010, 12:22:13 AM »

IF they are still only sold online thru Musician's Friend, I'd be very wary as to where and who take care of any warranty/service issues.

I look for Eric Buell to resurface somewhere else as soon as his no-compete legalities expire. BTW, there's an excellent account of that mess in CYCLE WORLD this month, as well as a fabulous three-part interview at CW's website by John Burns.

Believe me, Harley's management looks like Warren Buffet's crew compared to Gibson.

J o e y