From Our Research Team:

Steinberger Basses: Highly Stable with Generous Tone

The Steinberger XS-15FPA 5-string bass joins Steinberger's latest tribe of cutting-edge Synapse instruments. From its unique headless appearance to the complex engineering of its CybroSonic Neck, every element of the XS-15FPA's design was expressly chosen to create a highly stable, ultra-playable bass. Ned Steinberger has long been famous for designing some of the most comfortable and balanced basses the world has seen - and he's applied all that expertise to the Synapse Collection. Incredible humbucker/piezo tone coupled with the ultimate in reliability: the Synapse XS-15FPA is a true player's bass.



Steinberger XS-15FPA at a Glance:

• The Latest Steinberger Masterpiece
  
• DoubleBall/SingleBall Tuning System with Headless Design
  
• EMG Humbucker/piezo Pickup System
  
• A Few Useful "Extras"

The Latest Steinberger Masterpiece
Ned Steinberger breathed new vision and life into stringed instruments when he introduced the L2 bass at Summer NAMM in 1979. Innovatively designed without headstocks, the L2s astonished the music world and prototypes were quickly sold to such esteemed players as John Entwistle of The Who, Tony Levin of King Crimson, and Andy West of The Dregs. Since then, Steinberger basses and guitars have continued to impress musicians - and engineers! - the world over. Their cutting-edge Headless Tuning systems make way for stability never thought possible, while their CybroSonic necks and newest piezo/humbucking pickup systems allow for an extensive range of tonal possibilities.

DoubleBall/SingleBall Tuning System with Headless Design
Originally, Steinberger basses and guitars featured an exclusively DoubleBall Tuning System that eliminated the need for a headstock. The strings came through and locked down on the bridge for incredible stability. Plus, with virtually no manual feeding and cutting required, you could change strings in under a minute. Today, the Synapse Collection has a redesigned headpiece so you can enjoy using these special double ball-end strings as well as your favorite traditionals. This premier system allows you to dial into tune using precise micrometers rather than standard tuners - and when you get in tune, you stay in tune. Also, because Steinberger basses need no headstock, they're extremely ergonomically balanced and comfortable to hold during longer jam sessions and performances.

EMG Humbucker/piezo Pickups
The XS-15FPA's one low-impedance, active EMG USA bass humbucker mounted at the "sweetspot" combined with an internal low-impedance preamp and a stereo piezo bridge extends the range on both ends for earth-moving lows and phenomenal transients from slap-style playing. Internal trim pots allow you to adjust the balance of the piezo output between the high and low strings if needed. The XS-15FPA is also equipped with a Rosewood saddle for warm, pure tone.

A Few Useful "Extras"
The unique design of the Steinbergers continues, as the XS-15FPA also comes standard with a few unexpected and untraditional extras you'll be glad you have. First, there's an innovative "Strap Hook" that balances and positions the bass in the ideal playing position when standing. Second, there's a patented Steinberg fold-down leg rest built into the instrument to provide exceptional comfort and balance when playing in the seated position. And, finally, a heavy-duty gigbag with ample padding comes standard with every Synapse so you're ready to go wherever your playing takes you.

Steinberger XS-15FPA Features:

• Finish: Pitch Black
  
• 5-String
  
• Body Top: Hard Maple
  
• Body Wings: Hard Maple
  
• Neck Material: CybroSonic patented Graphite U-channel with adjustable trussrod integrated with 3-piece Hard Maple
  
• Neck Joint: Set-Neck
  
• Fingerboard: Phenolic
  
• Fingerboard Radius: 14"
  
• Frets: 24, Medium jumbo
  
• Scale Length: 34"
  
• Pickups: EMG-40P, Fixed Piezo Bridge
  
• External Controls: Master Volume, Mag/Piezo Pickup Blend, Active Hi Cut/Boost, Active Lo Cut/Boost, 3 way pickup selector
  
• Internal Controls: 2 trim pots adjusting magnetic and piezo output levels
  
• Bridge: Patented DoubleBall Bridge with 40:1 ratio direct-pull tuners
  
• Saddle Material: Ebony
  
• Weight: 7.6 lb
  
• Length: 39.5"
  
• Zero Nut Width: 1.58"
  
• 12-Fret Width: 2.056"
  
• Bridge Spacing: 0.73"
  
• Included Case: Heavy-duty Synapse Gigbag

The Steinberger XS-1FPA is a highly stable, tonally diverse bass!

Specification Detail Manufacturer Part Number SX5FP-PB1