Steinberger XM-2FD Fretless Reviews 
5 / 5 based on 1 reviewsGuitar show, $800 with OEM canvas bag,
both in flawless condition.
Phenolic fingerboard [plus nylon covered
strings] produces a fine whining humming
fretless sound.
Has two EMG Humbuckers.
Stays in tune forever.
Headless, so it fits in a guitar case.
Knobs are VVT but I prefer VFT [fader].
Have to special order strings [from Status]
if you want nylon covered or 1/2 round.
String spacing is slightly closer than most
4 string basses.
Solid graphite neck with 4-bolt joint to
wooden double cutaway body. Active EMG
humbuckers in elevator mounts, later style
Steinberger bridge with the stainless wear
inserts in each saddle. Smooth tuning at
rear of bridge. Has a drop-D lever but I
never use it.
Normal double cutaway body plus headless
neck means great balance on the strap and
normal positions when sitting.
Solid neck with no tension rod. Unmarked
fingerboard with full side dots: small dots
mixed with large dots so every "fret" is
marked. Fingerboard feels very flat [not
much radius] and neck is rather small in
width and thickness. Two-octave length.
Other than being headless, it's a very
plain bass. Tone is deep but not boomy,
with a decent high end that's not twangy
using the nylon covered strings. It does
the job, is light, easy to play, and very
reliable. The theme here is simplicity.
It's like it's hardly there, effortless.
I have no hesitation rating it a 5, as I
can't imagine someone can build a better
bass of this type, and I really like this
type of bass.
Golem rated this unit
on
2004-01-23.
