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MGR/Bucephalus « Steinberger XP-2 »
Published on 12/11/03 at 15:00web purchase at musicyo.com; paid net $250 (using $100 off promotion)
I'm not a big guy, so the best thing about this bass is that I don't have shoulder pain after a gig from lugging a big bass for hours. The diminutive size makes this easy to transport (although I haven't tried, they claim it'll go in airliner overhead bins--but be ready for some strange looks from the TSA folks since the gig bag looks a lot like a rifle bag). Although this model has passive electronics, the signal is quite good, and the tuning is rock solid.
The two volume controls are highly non-linear (touchy); less than 1/2 turn of my knobs take me from nothing to full volume. The tone control is similar. This isn't a deal killer, but be prepared to spend some time finding sweet spots for the control knobs.
Apart from the problem with the pots mentioned above, I'm very pleased with the bass; it's very solid, and the bridge came set up in excellent shape. Changing strings is a real pleasure with the double ball end system, although you'll find it difficult to get much variety. The small body still carries good resonance, and neck adjustments are fairly painless.
For under $300, this is a great buy, if only for having a headstockless bass in your collection. If musicyo isn't running a deal on this, get on their mailing list and be patient; they've run the $100 off promotion twice in 2003.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
I'm not a big guy, so the best thing about this bass is that I don't have shoulder pain after a gig from lugging a big bass for hours. The diminutive size makes this easy to transport (although I haven't tried, they claim it'll go in airliner overhead bins--but be ready for some strange looks from the TSA folks since the gig bag looks a lot like a rifle bag). Although this model has passive electronics, the signal is quite good, and the tuning is rock solid.
The two volume controls are highly non-linear (touchy); less than 1/2 turn of my knobs take me from nothing to full volume. The tone control is similar. This isn't a deal killer, but be prepared to spend some time finding sweet spots for the control knobs.
Apart from the problem with the pots mentioned above, I'm very pleased with the bass; it's very solid, and the bridge came set up in excellent shape. Changing strings is a real pleasure with the double ball end system, although you'll find it difficult to get much variety. The small body still carries good resonance, and neck adjustments are fairly painless.
For under $300, this is a great buy, if only for having a headstockless bass in your collection. If musicyo isn't running a deal on this, get on their mailing list and be patient; they've run the $100 off promotion twice in 2003.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com