How good is the Steinberger Spirit XT-25?

[MateoG78]

Hello I am currently looking for a new bass and this one has caught my attention. What are the general opinions on this bass? How long will it last in the long run and if I get it what should upgrade?

Is it good at down tuning? I ask because I like to play a lot of Mastodon, Cattle Decapitation, SOAD, etc.


(I currently play a Dean Edge 09 if that helps as to what I’m used to)

 

[Redaxes]

I have the 4 string version. Fit, finish are fine. Stays in tune. Pickups are weaker than those on my Fender P bass and Squier Jaguar. Neck pickup is brighter than the P pickup . The bridge pickup is also brighter than the Jag J pickup. It has a different sound but is fine.
I have only played it in standard tuning. I see no reason why it shouldn’t hold up. Replacing the pickups would be the likely upgrade.
The small body design causes the bass to hand 3 or 4 frets farther left than a more conventional bass. This is an issue for some people comfort wise. It is certainly lighter.

 

[HeavyDuty]

I’ve had several XT-2 and XT-25 basses over the years. They are well made, and a simple wiring harness change with better pots improves them immensely.

 

[BergerHead]

Well, if you're aiming on the style or the easy traveling with, go ahead. But if you want the tonal strength of the original, i d'advise against; even having pimp it up with EMG electrics the axe never gave me usable sounds.
This comes with the minor wood-, hardware- and electrics quality and a quasi non happening product control at Cort for they put out gear in 100'000s. Look after an original and get you a lifetime instrument ... I bought a XT25 as a backup and i was heavily disappointed ...

 

[Roland GR 88]

O.P. - The 3 answers above are all you need to know.
Owners of the originals are rightfully dismissive because the only thing carried over through the years is the basic shape and the name which Gibson has owned for almost 30yrs and can slap on whatever they choose to. The important details that set Steinberger's apart and made them very expensive to produce were dropped a long time ago.
Newer owners are either happy enough with an inexpensive simple bass that's light, travels well and looks the part or are willing to upgrade the electronics which is fairly common.
QC can be spotty but that applies to any sub $500.00 guitar.
Originals are like houses.....they never go down in price You'll need to open up your wallet pretty wide for one but you'll always get your money back and then some.

 

[murmur70]

I owned one of the original Cort headless basses in the 80's. I owned a Spirit XT-25 for awhile. I now own a 1985 XL-2a. I have liked them all. Obviously, the XL-2 is significantly better than the other in both build quality and tone, but I did enjoy the others when I had them.

 

[Marcus Araz]

Dear All, can someone measure these red line areas for me? I want to design a thumb rest and a dummy pickup in the middle just to be able to play it from the middle of the pickups. The best tone is coming from that position. And the string tightness is the best there as well. This way our Pickup's won't wear in time due to sweaty thumb and fingers. I will design and print it with my 3D printer. I will print one free for the person who will measure these with a calliper gauge. I am unable to measure them at the moment because I don't have a calliper and I am away from my bass.

Thank you in advance