Steinberger Synapse XS-15FPA Custom

one active EMG in the "sweet spot" and a piezo bridge

Didn't suit my musical style. While it was dead quiet and free of dead spots in the usual wood sense, there were nevertheless areas of the neck that had less vibrancy than others, the low E in particular above the fifth fret didn't have the sustain of the rest of the bass. The EMG was too dark, and the mix of the piezo and the EMG had a strangely non-meshing quality. While I thought the phenolic fretboard and composite/hybrid neck would have at least as much brilliance as woor, it had a surprisingly dark tone, not unlike how I remember the original one piece graphite Steinbergers.

Low B was too noodle-y.

Action was nothing to write home about, but I've never seen a bass straight from the factory with an action set up well. Pickups were well adjusted.

There was a significant flaw in the bass- the truss rod could audibly be heard to be vibrating within the neck on certain notes- haven't had a bass that did that in a while.

If I had held on to it I think it would have weathered well, it's a very structurally sound instrument and the Steinberger system does hold tune well.

Been playing for about 18 years. I love the compactness of the Steinberger, and the double ball system. This instrument's neck was a little too wide, even for a five string.

When I first read that Steinberger was making new instruments I was excited- Steinberger is one of the few innovators of the instrument. But I think that ultimately the instruments are less than the sum of their innovation. When I pick up my cheap Fender P bass Special, for all its flaws and typical G string dead spots, it just feels and plays so well, and the sound has a vibrancy and life the Steinberger lacks.

I'd like to see Steinberger make a bass with a different material for the fingerboard, and passive pickups. The EMGs mated with this instrument produce too dark a tone- they amplify the aspects of the instrument that are already to present.

This is a 5 string, headless, chunk of wood with a graphite U-channel running through it. Made in Korea. Transparent red satin finish,sort of a wine color if you ask me.One EMG pick up and a piezo bridge pick up. Master volume,blend, treble and bass knobs control a 18 volt active system.
Steinberger bridge and tuners. A little place for allen wrenches located back by the input jack. It came with a gig and a owners manual. It also has a front strap button extender.

I have had this bass for about 3 weeks and played around with at home and I found myself having to roll off a whole lot of treble. Once I took it out to a gig, as it often happens I had to start all over again getting the sound I wanted. For the most part I used treble a little less than middle and the bass a little more than middle. I experimented with the blend and got a good sound all over the place exept for full mag p.u. and full piezo. I couldnt really get a vintage jazz bass sound but i guess you cant have everything. The band I'm with plays a good variety of pop, blues ,country and jazz standards. This bass has a lot of good sounds and I think I'll settle on the ones I like in time. The pick ups sound lousy on their own but great together. It is very quiet and it has a ton of sustain.

Set was OK, nothing to brag about but I'm picky. The truss rod looked good.I adjusted the string height but I'm not used to a saddle bridge and I couldnt get it where I wanted it without a buzz so I may let have an expert work on it.All in all it plays good but not great.IMHO. No finish or workmanship flaws. I like the way satin finish looks but especially the way it feels on the back of the neck.

I had to tighten up the strap extender once and if I have to do it again I might put some glue in there too. I intend to make this my main bass and dont foresee any dependability problems with it. I love the tuners, this thing really stays in tune and changing strings should be a snap.

I've been playing for about 30 years and I'm primarily a Fender guy. I still like the fender sound but to compare the two is apples and oranges. The way the bass hangs on you and the fact that it doesnt have a head takes some getting used to but I dont think it will be a problem. This bass is heavier than I thought it would be but it is nice and compact for transport.The input jack is sort of in the back and I like it, out of the way and out of sight. I was first attracted to this bass by its practicality and its small size but I'm won over by its sound.

Just-released new entry to the Steinberger line of guitars and basses.

This is the amber(burst) satin-finished flame maple top model. Features include:

* Cybrosonic Technology featuring an integrated graphite U-channel combined with a three-piece hard maple neck
* Maple wings
* Phenolic fingerboard
* EMG40-P5 USA humbucker
* Piezo bridge
* Ebony saddle
* Direct-Drive double-ball bridge
* Fold-down leg rest
* Recessed tool holder
* Recessed output jack
* Strap hook
* Combo headpiece
* Zero fret
* 34" scale
* Takes single- or double-ball strings

In addition, it's an 18v system, has 24 frets, weighs about 8.5lbs, with 17mm spacing. Very well-padded gig-bag with protective end-cushioning flap.

Absolutely amazing! The EMG pickup coupled with the piezo produces an expanded tone, both low and high. With the blend knob at 40% mag, 60% piezo, and the bass tone up just a notch, this baby sounds like an XL/Rick Turner Renaissance hybrid. Even response on the neck, notes ring out crystal clear, and the B string is tight and punchy. Literally the best of graphite and wood.

Bass came setup perfectly for my tastes. The satin amber finish is actually a lot more of a burst, as the edges of the front and the back of the body and neck are a reddish-brown, in contrast to the first amber synapse 6-string guitar that we saw at Steinberger World that had a lighter stain (and was also a gloss finish - they changed from gloss to satin mid-stream for the basses, apparently).

The one thing that I didn't like was that the bare wire connections in the cavity are being held together by CLOTH TAPE?!?! Apparently this has been rectified with heat shrink tubing, as evidenced by another owner with a slightly newer blue bass.

This thing is built solid, and I would definitely gig with it as my only fretted. My only concern is about the placement of the back strap button; with the satin finish, a strap could start to wear down the finish over time. It's hard to tell.

Limited lifetime warranty. Haven't yet tried to deal with Gibson regarding anything.

This is my 20th year playing bass. My first "real" bass was bought back in '84: a Steinberger XL-2. I traded it away a few years after, but got the fever again last year and traded for an L-2. I also swear up and down on the "bang for your buck" value of the Spirits (got an XT-25 and an XZ-2db). The Synapse is a similar, but unique creature for those people wanting the clarity of a graphite-necked instrument, the warmth of wood, and the expanded sound I've described above. An absolutely incredible sounding and playing bass. I haven't quite warmed up to the body style yet (wish it were more symmetrical like the XLs), but the sound more than makes up for that. I think I would've preferred the gloss finish, and in fact, was expecting gloss when they changed it to satin. Still looks awfully pretty, though.

Pictures can be seen at photos.yahoo.com/drivenmore