PRODUCED: 1980-present
ORIGIN: USA
TYPE: Headless solidbody, 4-string, active electronics
BODY: Synthetic, one-piece neck/body although separate body top was bolted on
NECK: 24 jumbo frets & fretless available
SCALE LENGTH: 864mm (34-inch)
FINGERBOARD: Phenolic, white dot inlays
HARDWARE: Black, fully adjustable 4-saddle bridge/tuner tailpiece
PICKUPS: Two humbucking EMG units
CONTROLS: 2 volumes & 1 tone
FEATURES: Swivel strap holder at back plus a hinged leg rest on lower body edge, uses double ball-end strings, no lighter in weight than a conventional bass
FINISHES: Predominantly black although other colours are available. The early white ones were termed albinos.
COMMENTS: For synthetic read epoxy resin reinforced with carbon graphite and glass fibre. This was the Ned Steinberger model that caused excitement throughout the industry. A tiny full-scale bass by anyone’s standards at only 38-inches overall length but with a monster sound in spite of its minimalist looks.
Initially four models were available the H1 & H2 (high impedance with one or two DiMarzio pickups) and the L1 & L2. These were low impedance, active basses with a dominating sound that literally blew the H models away! The L-2/5 five-string version was introduced in 1982 and both models were replaced by the XL-2 in 1984. And in spite of a company buyout in the late '80s it’s the XL-2 that’s still with us today.