Steinberger Demon

(Review for the Steinberger Demon, aka Steinberger Synapse TranScale Demon SD-2FPA Electric Guitar)

A lot of thinking and good engineering went into making this guitar. Innovative features include a graphite U-channel thru-neck with a phenolic fingerboard having medium jumbo frets. This neck is ultra stable and just shreds. I much prefer medium jumbo frets to the ubiquitous gigantic jumbo frets. They seem more natural, less intrusive. In addition to the EMGs (81 bridge, 85 neck) which I really like, the bridge also includes a piezo pickup that works great for clean tones. Active EQ controls allow for blending of the EMGs and piezo for substantial tonal flexibility. The use of double-ball strings and 40:1 tuners make re-stringing and tuning exceptionally quick, precise, and stable. The only feature I find missing is a tremolo.

Perhaps I should briefly mention how I came to purchase this guitar. I play metal, and I love low tunings but I don't get along well with thick strings or seven strings. I happened across the idea of baritone guitars which allow for low tunings using relatively light gauge strings. The 0.010s the Demon ships with actually feel like 0.009s and make shredding a breeze. The 28 5/8" scale length really lets the lows resound with authority and clarity. It definitely has something over and above 25 1/2". Players with tiny hands might find this a little challenging on the lower frets. Fortunately, I don't have small hands. The guitar comes tuned to D standard, but I have mine tuned to C standard and just love it. This guitar really has combined two worlds for me: I can mercilessly chug one moment and then seamlessly shift to shredding mode the next.

Every now and then you come across an instrument or amp that you just instantly bond with, sort of like love at first sight if there is such a thing. I ordered this guitar on faith, not having had the chance to try it first but knowing I could return it if I didn't connect with it. From the first time I sat down with it, I knew it was a keeper. Some instruments seem to want to fight you so that you have to struggle to do things that you know should be natural, even automatic. The Demon, however, simply read my mind and knew what I wanted it to do. And it just works with me, carrying out my will, yielding itself up to my impulses. It's so light (6.5 pounds) and agile. I can just play the guitar without interference from the guitar itself. The factory set-up was very good. The matte finish is showing some wear from my picking hand. It's not quite as robust as it might otherwise be if it had a protective gloss coat.

I've had this guitar for 6 months and still love it to death. However, I'm not a gigging musician, and I certainly don't get close to punishing my gear the way I imagine a road tour might. So, it's difficult for me to accurately judge the Demon's reliability/durability. So far, so good.

Steinberger, I believe, is now owned by Gibson. Perhaps that's for the better, I don't know. I did try to get hold of someone at Steinberger/Gibson who might be able to recommend a hardshell case for the Demon. Mine shipped with a very nice gig bag. Still, I prefer a hardshell case. At any rate, the person I talked with recommended the case that is used for other Steinberger Synapse TranScale guitars, but I'm uncertain as to whether this case will actually fit the larger body of the Demon. Maybe Steinberger will design a case specifically for the Demon, if necessary. I'm still working on that issue.

Some may be inclined to dismiss this guitar solely on its looks (they find it ugly or too unorthodox). It is pretty minimalist in appearance, but the thing can play! And the Demon's playability won me over instantly. The Demon certainly has a great bang for the buck ratio (especially when you catch it on sale). Incidentally, the guitar does have a rolling capo that allows you to shift tunings on the fly (hence, the name TranScale), but I never use the thing. I don't really have much interest in it. I prefer to play low, heavy, and mean. The EMG 81 in the bridge is perfect for this and also for solos, squeals, harmonics, etc. Finally, I want to say that I liked the Demon so much I bought a second one just so that I could have that "missing" tremolo installed. That's not a simple thing to do by any means, but the wizards at Peekamoose Guitars in New York made it happen. For exceptional custom work, check'em out!!