NY/NJ Steinbergers

[jim777]

I've gotten this Steinberger bug going, but can't seem to find a place that has one (never mind 6 or 15 ) in stock. Anyone know of a music store around NYC or in Jersey that has any, or a single used one? I'm thinking along the lines of a GM4T or something.

thanks,
jim

[jim777]

OK, how about this: what can I expect from the Steinberger neck? What would it be close to, that I might have played already? How does it compare to say, a Jem or a Wizard profile?

thanx
jim

[pawel]

Are you talking about pre-Music Yo Steinbergers, or the Music Yo USA ones?

[darren wilson]

You could ask over at steinbergerworld.com... there's probably a lot of people there who have more experience with USA Steinbergers. There are only a couple of people i can think of here (babahi, for one) who own and regularly play USA Steinbergers.

[jim777]

I'm looking at the late 80's guitars, which was Gibson era but pre Music-Yo, I think

[the.godfather]

Yeah, like Darren said, I would give Babahi a quick PM if I were you. I know he owns loads of the things! lol, I remember the pic of them all!

[jim777]

I will, maybe he'll part with one too?

[power freak]

I have got a GM4S. Its truly a great guitar. About the neck, the nut is thinner than a JEM/RG because its only 1 5/8" instead of 1 11/16" which some people find annoying. Also the back is quite a bit thicker (instead or around 19-20mm at 1st its between 22 and 23mm I think) Also the shape isn't U or D shaped like most IBZ necks, its like a big round C shape which I absolutely love.

Its quite hard to get a "true" pre-gibson GM, lots of people sell them as pre-gibson when they are not. Usually they don't have flamed tops or translucent colours and usually have a white or black binding (depending on colour.) However neither are better, in fact some people prefer the new ones, they have a slightly slimmer neck and they have all the flames that people seem to love! They arre also contoured a hell of a lot more.

[jim777]

Anything in specific to watch out for, or to ask about? Is there a part "that goes", as it were? Are they easy enough to refret if the frets are worn through, or is that a big problem? Thanks for the info, too

jim

[power freak]

Originally Posted by jim777

Anything in specific to watch out for, or to ask about? Is there a part "that goes", as it were? Are they easy enough to refret if the frets are worn through, or is that a big problem? Thanks for the info, too

jim

I have written a review that I haven't yet put on HC I can post it here if you want it.

A true NY or pre gibson will have these features:
-Usually a solid black (white binding) or white (black binding) or red (white binding) flat topped body, there are rare koa and translucent flamed models. These have gold logos (instead of the white/black logos on the solid coloured models.) Any curved edges mean its Gibson made!
-The serial number (on the edge of the neck near the horn for the high strings) must start with N (for example: N1234 etc.) Gibson ones are marked TN. However the necks can be switched so its not a sure fire way to get an NY also soon after the take over Gibson used NOS parts on their new bodies so they sometimes crop up on Gibon era guitars.
-The heel on NY is totally flat (like a fender) whereas the newer gibsons have a subtle "sweep" like the old NON-AANJ Ibanez do.

The newer gibson designed guitars have a few other "improvements" to the classic designs, firstly the trems have been tweaked to work slightly better (I don't know what the tweaks are mind you.) Also the necks are now a moses or steinberger blend which isn't pure moses or pure steinberger. The original steinberger necks had a completely flat frequency response. Some people didn;t like this and Moses offer a replacement that sounds "woodier". The M/S blend was a moses blend that Ned Steinberger requested to be "more hi-fi" or with a flatter frequency response.

I have luckily never refretted my Steinberger so wouldn't know how difficult it is to do, however most techs charge more for graphite necked instruments. Also some techs won't even touch a steinberger! The thing to do is ask around for a reputable tech that has lots of experience and hasdone these sort of things before. Some of the people on the steinberger forum have even switched the necks to Moses necks when they need to refret but simply kept the original for retail value.

For a real NY expect to pay well into 4 digits I saw one in my local guitarshop go for £3000! Music Yo have just introduced "Newburgh" instruments which look identicle to the originals the only way to tell them apart is the serial number so look out for those!

[kennydoe]

The guitarist in my band has one.
I'm he'd love to trade it for a jem
He tried to run off with my BFP constantly.
I'll put you in touch if you wish.
~Kenny

PS: it's the red one that has a little more of a guitar shape to it, rather than the "polo-bat" one.

[jim777]

I don't have a Jem to trade This would be a straight acquisition unless I get a purpleheart and alder body for my 7620 or something. The thing is, it seems nearly impossible to "try before you buy" with these things. Maybe I'll get lucky and someone will see one in a store somewhere I can get to.

[kennydoe]

I pretty sure he'd be open to a sale. We're on LI, so a meet-up would be possible. I'll hook you guys up and maybe you can meet sometime in the City.

Get me your email.

~K

[jim777]

It's whites2@optonline.net, or jandmwhite@comcast.net

jim

[dp15655]

Fellow member Babahi was indeed moving an entire stack of Steinbergers recently (got a beautiful GM myself). I can't say enough good things about the guy - definitely check with him !