Thanks for posting, I just got one haven't had the chance to dive into it yet but I will say that with the few minutes I've played around with it I can tell it's a really decent piece and glad i bought it.
murph murph You will love it. Get a small, battery powered amp like a Roland Micro Cube, and you’ve got a small, portable rig for practice, camping, hiking, road trips, etc. Hope the explanation was clear.
Just purchased the white edition (H-S-H configuration) and had forgotten which video demonstrates the locking system. Very glad that I thought to give this one a second look. Thank you Mr. Roberti.
Glad it helped! With this guitar and a portable battery powered amp like a Roland Micro Cube, makes a handy little go anywhere informal playing rig to take on vacation, camping etc. No fuss, easy to pack.
I've been struggling for half an hour to tune my new Spirit guitar. I've just about destroyed my fingertips in the effort. Then, the doubt: "What if I am missing something?". That's how I found our video. Thank you. Now I just hope I haven't damaged the guitar by force-tuning it without locking the bridge first. What a moron.
Giorgio Volini not a moron! It’s just lack of information. It’s like saying one is a moron for not knowing the combination to a safe. The “combination” for tuning the guitar was on a slip of paper that came with the paperwork when I bought the guitar new online. I’ve heard stories that sometimes the instructions are not there, or got lost, or the guitar was bought used so no paperwork, or whatever. Glad it helped!
@@Bigbuddyandblue Yeah, I've been telling me that, you know, trying to make myself feel better... Do you think I might've damaged it, with my unorthodox procedure?
Giorgio Volini probably not. If you have since been able to tune it with the bridge locked, then unlocked it, and then, if necessary, bring it back to pitch by turning the big knob, than it prob ok. If your still concerned, check out this guy’s comprehensive video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bFhJv9lfYyQ.html
Glad to help! I love how easy it is to just grab this guitar and a battery powered amp like a Roland Cube and take a rig camping or on a road trip and practice or jam anytime, anywhere. It’s a great campfire rig, or even for hiking. Too easy!
Good! Glad it worked. I bought 2 at separate times, and each had a folded sheet of paper with operating and tuning instructions. I bought them new on line from Harmony Central. This may help, too: www.manualslib.com/manual/1432132/Spirit-Steinberger.html
@@Bigbuddyandblue yes it did tuned like you said then did intonation just now, it was the locked or unlocked for tuning that was puzzling me,bought it 3 days ago frost blue,ive got to say nice guitar cant put it down,again cheers mate
I have insanely brought a headless guitar kit, probably costing more than it is worth, but it will be an interesting challenge. I note that at 1 minute 52 to 2 minutes 05 you say that the latch is then free to move in the locked position. Rather than just release the latch and then adjust until it is in tune, could you just adjust the tension so that it allows the latch to move freely, in this way you would know that the tuning will not be affected?
@@Bigbuddyandblue Thanks Mike, I can understand the Bridge Now, great video and I feel that the build will now be possible after overcoming a few of the pitfalls of buying a kit, although at £130 it was not that cheap and let's just say that the electrics and body routing was a bit dodgy Lol. The Guitar is supplied with an Overlord Of Music Bridge.
@@woodydroneson good! If possible, make a video regarding your build, upload to RU-vid and post the link to it here, I think a lot of people who come here to look at the Steinberger tuning would be really interested in seeing how your kit build works. Including me! Cheers👍
When I feel like playing a little guitar... I grab my Steinberger 😋 (Mines H-S-H) IMO It's a solid piece of engineering ( Thanks Ned😎) that I got years ago for $250 because too many naysayers at that shop didn't even bother to try it. Their loss. Also agree 100% about the Roland cubes👍. I got both mine for 60$ each😁. One lives on my workbench and the other is a grab-n-go for any (non gig) occasion that's not wet lol.
If you can't go up, then why the need for the latch, you could just insure the bridge isn't lifting during tuning and if it does just increase spring tension...
Hi man, thanks for the video. I’m considering buying one if this guitars. I have one question: how good or not is this thing to tune into drop D? Another one: is this tremolo bloking system good enough to leave it -and play- permanently in the blocked position? Thanks again!
Drop D, or any other alternative tuning for that matter, works fine. For your other question, if you want to leave the trem locked permanently, just simply lock it, then tune it any way you want, and, boom, you’re done: Don’t bother with balance it, (ignore the fussy procedures from time stamp 0:59 forward)
See link: Here’s the entire set up process. Different branding, but exact same system. He has the adapter at the top of the neck, so you don’t need to use double-ball strings. NOTE! His video shows him starting to string up the guitar at the bridge, but that’s only because he has the adapter at the top. If you don’t have the adapter at the top, you must use specialty strings that have a barrel at each end. In that case you must start at the top of the guitar neck and then string it into the bridge. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bFhJv9lfYyQ.html Owners manual www.manualslib.com/manual/1432132/Spirit-Steinberger.html
What if I'm in tune but the bridge is not meeting the latch? There is space in between so the guitar goes out of tune easily. The knob is unscrewed quite a bit and is hard to turn.
Hi, Chelsea. If you’re in tune, but the bridge is not meeting the the latch, you have to start the whole dramatic tuning sequence all over again. Here’s what I suggest: Tune all the strings down a bit, just slacking them off. Now pull, or push, on the tremolo arm until you can lock the bridge into place. Now tune the guitar with the bridge locked in place. Now, here’s the trick: unlock that latch. The guitar will probably go out of tune. if by chance, it’s still in tune leave it alone, but most likely it will go sharp or flat. If goes flat after you unlock it, then twist that big goofy knob clockwise to pull it back into tune. If it goes sharp, then loosen that big knob counterclockwise, release the tension on the bridgelet it should go back into tune. And yes that knob is difficult to turn, that’s because there’s a lot of tension on the strings and there’s a big giant spring to counteract that tension. Guitar strings put a lot of pressure on a guitar neck, and It can be difficult to turn that knob so do your best! also, I think you can use a Phillips screwdriver to turn that knob if you can’t turn it with your fingers. Maybe try that. Hope this works for you let me know!
@@Bigbuddyandblue thank you! that makes sense. the problem now is that I can't seem to get it to latch. I see the latch has a groove on the inside. It is supposed to go around the peg inside the bridge?
Chelsea, whether or not you want to lock the bridge or not, is your decision. If it’s locked, it becomes a Hardtail, no tremolo system. But if you unlock it, then you can use the whammy bar and it becomes a tremolo. The advantage of keeping it locked is if you break a string, you can continue to play and it won’t go out of tune. Remember! Lock the bridge when ever you’re performing any adjustments: tuning intonation truss rod adjustments etc. Make all your adjustments while the bridge is locked, and then turn the knob to get back in tune if necessary. Cheers.
@@Bigbuddyandblue that is what i did de-tuned until it latched, tuned and released the latch and turn the other thing until low e was in tune, guitar was perfect after that
I have both Steinberger USA & Spirit guitars. I found that the Spirit guitars have an issue regarding string change : the saddle will get loose & fall out when the old string is removed... therefore the intonation re-adjustment is needed.
Matt Ma Hi, Matt. There is a grub screw on the side of the trem that holds the saddles in place. You loosen it to unlock saddles for adjusting, then tighten it with an Allen wrench to lock the saddles. I bet yours is loose or missing. See this video at about 14:40. Hope this works! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bFhJv9lfYyQ.html
What i am dealing is to find a way to make the bridge to remain fully fixed removing the spring to avoid even small tiny movements.The locking lever is only for strings changing and can not hold the pitch stability while playing.Else it is a great guitar having easiest access to the 24 fret to play freely.Conclusion is that a damned spring destroyed the reputation of these great guitars and Ned Steinberger did his big mistake haven't released commercially guitar models having a fixed steady bridge preinstalled.
Try tuning the guitar while the locking lever is locked. Then unlock the locking lever, and twist the big knob counter-clockwise a few times which will relax the big spring. Then, pull up on the trem bar until you can lock the lever, the locking lever will be under a lot of spring pressure now, and should stay put, and it should be back in tune. Not a permanent locking, but it will make unlatching the locking lever very difficult. Good luck!
KRAZEEIZATION Is the big knob under the bridge not working? If so, can be replaced. They are available on eBay. Here’s how to remove them. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-A029qqhJVqo.html
Hi, I know how to remove the big screw. It’s just that when I latch it and tube it it’s perfect but once I unlatch it, the tuning drops dramatically and the screw runs out before it’s in tune!
KRAZEEIZATION I never experienced this. Maybe the spring is broken? Or the tensioning knob threads are stripped. Or the stop holding the spring in place is broken. Remove the term system using the link I sent. Worst case, you may need to replace the term unit. I’ve replaced mike twice. A good guitar, but the metal used for the term is brittle and can crack or break easily. The weak link for this axe.
Okay. Thank you. I had a look and it all seems ok. No damage to screw. It’s hard to fathom, just that the screw runs out of road before the guitar is in tune!
I waiting to arrive soon a clone of these guitars to give a try just for the feeling how looks like to play a steinberger guitar.But i cant even imagine how it was to play with the carbon epoxy made models back in '80s and '90s.
George I think you will love it. The best thing about a guitar of this size, is how you can just take it anywhere - camping , fishing, backpacking, hiking, on a plane or train a hotel room. Bring along a little Roland Micro Cube battery powered amp and you can have an in formal jam or just play or practice anywhere anytime. That’s the best part of this guitar. I keep one in my car, along with a battery powered amp, I can play while sitting in my car waiting for an appointment or something. I even used to keep one at work hidden under my desk and play it during lunch. Very easy to hide away. But I have used it live on stage and it works just fine people come up and comment about it it looks a little goofy but looks aren’t everything
@Mike Roberti I like this steinberger guitar back from the '80s from the first look.But were extremely expensive and even harder to find them in local stores.I have ordered one (a copied clone) and i hope to like it more than any expectations and someday i might get a real one,maybe a Spirit model.
@@GeorgeGeorge-xj2bc That’s a matter of opinion and taste. But you should not pay a premium or a high price for a Steinberger spirit because there’s nothing really special about them that your guitar doesn’t have. Just my opinion
Stefan Batory Hey, sorry but I don’t understand your question. Please restate what you’re wanting to do, or maybe check this out: it takes you through the complete set up. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bFhJv9lfYyQ.html
Few questions about the steinberger spirit gt, first is the tremolo FULL floating or just down in pitch? Second can you leave the bridge in the locked position so it basically becomes a fixed bridge guitar? Is the tremolo arm removable? Does anyone know the dimensions of this guitar overall length (not scale length) and the width at it's widest point? Thanks
Dick Dastardly If the tremolo bridge is adjusted properly, it’s not full floating, it can only go down. Yes, if you leave the bridge locked, it becomes a fixed bridge. Handy if you break a string on stage, lock it, and at least you’re still in tune. The tremolo arm is removable, and the arm can also can be moved to the other side of the bridge, making it a lefty guitar. If you really want a floating trem, you can do that, but you won’t be able to lock it, because it will go out of tune. I will measure it tonight and get you the dimensions.
Mike Roberti So you're saying if you buy a Right handed Spirit you can turn it into a Left handed guitar by simply moving the tremolo arm to the opposite side and re-stringing it as your would any other left handed guitar? I know it doesn't have a regular type Nut, but aren't the slots cut to fit the different string gauges or are they all cut the same? That's kinda cool but having the controls on the top would be a little awkward and you'll loose the flip out leg rest, if you did flip the arm to the other side you can have it like SRV's Strat, he had his tremolo arm on the left/top side. Are the pickups Active or Passive? Can you get a good Strat tone(s) from the Middle and Neck pickups? Which do you think would be a more versatile guitar the Standard HSS or the Pro Deluxe HH?
Dick Dastardly Dick Dastardly There is no nut: it’s a zero fret, so it makes no difference how it’s strung. Any gauge strings will work left / right / heavy / light. Of course a change in string gauge may require a truss rod adjustment as with any guitar. That’s very easy to do. The bridge saddles will accommodate any string gauge or left / right stringing configuration. As far as the controls and leg rest, yes you’re right: I didn’t think about that- it would be awkward. The pickups are passive, and they are very transparent and clean: some folks don’t like that, but it’s great if you want a clean signal that you can tweak with pedals or whatever. Mine, which is single neck, single middle and humbucker bridge does not sound like a Strat- not as “quacky” as a Strat - a little beefier. But hey, you can always put some Strat pickups in there. As far a versatile pickup combination and switching versatility, I don’t know.
Mike Roberti First let me thank you for your help and answering my questions! I've been doing some research and going to go ahead and get one, the only one anyone carries is the Spirit GT PRO DELUXE in HUM-Single-HUM setup, don't know how old yours is but in that configuration they call it a Spirit GT PRO STANDARD HSS. The only I don't like or care for are the Double Ball strings, are you still using them? Don't know if you've seen or tried this, there's this Headless Locking Nut Do-Hicky you can buy on eBay for $6.50 that you attach to the head and allows you to use Regular strings of any gauge, here's the item number on eBay 122414286361. There's also a couple of videos on RU-vid of someone talking about it and shows how to install it (no drilling or special mods, just screws into the head) kinda like a Floyd Rose locking nut, just type in Steinberger single ball strings the one I watched was the one that has $6 eBay in the title. Again Thanks!!
Once a new set of string are put on, ( which only takes about 3 minutes, no tools, no cutting, no bloody pricked finger tips, no winding, no tuning) and have stretched out, it stays in tune with heavy whammy use very well. Tuning is very stable after aggressive bending and playing, too. The only time I need to retune it, is if there is a significant change in temperature, or put on different gauge strings, or adjust the truss rod or string height. It’s pretty bulletproof.
pixiepqueen Not really, once it’s in tune, it stays in tune, it’s very stable. String changes are a breeze, no cutting, no slipping, no nut to bind on the strings. (Zero fret). Once you adjust the tension of that big knob to balance the trem, you never need to adjust it again unless you change string gauge. I keep it in my car, along with a battery powered Roland Micro Cube amp. That’s a great rig for campfires, informal jams, etc. And they’re very rugged and stable. They’re inexpensive, too, definitely not a “fine instrument” but they really are fun to play and wonderfully portable. I’ve been beating mine up and not babying it for over 10 years now, and it’s still in great condition. Edit: Checked out your channel, you have a lovely voice!
@@Bigbuddyandblue aw thanks.. I'll have to take your word for it. I've never been able to actually try one of those guitars.. only seen one from a distance way back in the day when they first came out.. they were expensive then.
