1983-91 Steinberger GL-2T
The Steinberger GL2T is a headless, carbon-fiber electric guitar known for its innovative design, featuring a single-piece neck/body, active EMG pickups, and the signature TransTrem vibrato system.
The Steinberger GL2T was introduced in 1983 by Steinberger Sound in Newburgh, NY, as part of the GL (Guitar, L-series) line, following the success of the L2 bass. It was the premier six-string model with the TransTrem (denoted by “T”), a vibrato system allowing pitch changes while maintaining chord tuning.
Manufactured from 1983 to 1991, with peak production in the mid-1980s. Production continued after Gibson acquired Steinberger in 1987, but quality and output varied post-buyout.
The GL2T was discontinued by 1991 as Gibson shifted focus to other models.
History & Significance
History of Headless Guitars - Premier Guitar
1979 - The L2 Bass was introduced at the summer show of the National Association of Music Merchants. Three prototypes were sold at The Guitarman to John Entwistle (The Who), Tony Levin (King Crimson) and Andy West (The Dregs).
1980 - Steinberger Sound Corporation is founded. Ned Steinberger is granted patent on the design of his L2 bass. The intial MSRP was $1250 (2025 equiv $4900)
1984 - GL2 Guitar introduced with an intial MSRP of $1800 (2025 equiv $5600)
Also In 1984 the TransTrem was introduced, the most significant advancement on the tremolo design since Paul Bigsby developed his tremolo system in 1946. Allowing the guitarist to pitch-bend whole chords in correct tuning, the TransTrem also allowed the guitarist to increment or decrement the entire tuning of the instrument to five other keys: B, C, D, F# and G.
1986 - The GL3T, an EMG SA three pickup version with TransTrem, and the GL4T, with EMG SA, SA, 89 pickups and TransTrem introduced
1987 - Steinberger Sound is purchased by Gibson Guitar Corp and GM series introduced
1988 - The GK series guitar and DB bridge are introduced
1992 - Steinberger relocates to Nashville, TN, where Steinberger designs are still made today.
1992 - “Spirit by Steinberger” line introduced . The Spirit line features most of the same basic features as the graphite Steinbergers including the double-ball tuning system, 40:1 ratio fine tuners, R-Trem locking tremolo system, headless construction, Steinberger hardware and ergonomic design. However, while the original Steinbergers featured a graphite neck, Spirit by Steinbergers feature 3-piece hard maple, through-neck construction (GT and XT series) or hard maple, bolt-neck construction (GU and XZ series) making them much more affordable.
1999 - After suspending Steinberger production for over 1 year, Steinberger re-introduces the “Spirit by Steinberger” line through Internet wholesaler MusicYo.com
2008 - Steinberger unveils the ZT3 model. At the heart of the ZT3 guitar is the latest version of the TransTrem transposing tremolo system. Like the original TransTrem, this newest version (known as the TransTrem-3 or TT3) allows the guitarist to change keys “on the fly” by simply moving the tremolo arm. However, that’s where most of the similarities stop. With the new TT3, guitarists can now transpose to 5 different keys in half-step increments. When locked, the TT3 acts similar to a fixed bridge with advantages such as increased sustain and tuning stability. For example, if you break a string the other strings will remain in pitch. Conversely like a traditional tremolo, when the TT3 is in the unlocked position it allows the user to also perform extreme pitch bending both down and up. But unlike all other tremolos, the TT3 bends each string in perfect relative pitch to each other. Therefore, chords can be raised or lowered in perfect pitch using the tremolo arm allowing for pedal steel or slide guitar type effects.
Steinberger headless guitars require special "double ball end" strings. These type of strings, while more expensive than traditional single ball end strings, offer several advantages including:
- Tuning Stability: The dual ball ends anchor securely at both the bridge and headstock (or tuning mechanism), minimizing slippage and enhancing tuning stability, especially with vibrato systems like the TransTrem used by Allan Holdsworth.
- Ease of String Changes: The ball ends allow for quick string installation without the need to tie or wrap strings around tuning posts, making changes faster and more convenient, a feature Holdsworth noted as a significant benefit.
- Reduced Weight: On headless guitars, double ball-end strings eliminate the need for a traditional headstock, reducing overall guitar weight and improving balance, which is ideal for extended playing sessions.
- Consistent Tension and Tone: The precise fit of ball ends ensures uniform tension across the string length, contributing to consistent intonation and tonal clarity, critical for complex playing styles like Holdsworth’s.
- Durability: The design reduces stress points where strings might break (e.g., at the tuning peg), potentially increasing string longevity, especially under heavy bending or vibrato use.
D'Addario Double Ball End Steinberger Electric Guitar Strings ESXL120 Super Light 9-42
La Bella S100S Steinberger Double Ball End Electric Bass Strings Standard Light 45-105
As double ball end strings are expensive and hard to find, some people install a String Adapter to enable use of conventional single ball strings, or even make their own double ball strings.
Artists
Ned Steinberger's First Prototype Graphite Bass - Rarest Steinberger On Earth! - previously for sale for $100,000
Eddie Van Halen's 1985 Steinberger GL2T "5150" SN 3340 (Image #3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9)
- Used to record “Fire in the Hole,” from Van Halen III, “Summer Nights” and “Get Up” from 5150, “Pleasure Dome,” from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, and “Me Wise Magic,” the 1996 track that saw the group reunited with David Lee Roth, as well as during Van Halen's 1986-87 Live Without a Net tour and.
- "5150" was restored in 2016 by the original builder, Jeff Babicz.
- 1986 Steinberger® GL2T w/ Version #1 TransTrem SN 3708
- 1985 Steinberger® GL2T w/ Version #1 TransTrem SN 3285
Eddie Van Halen's Custom 1988 Steinberger GL2T "OU812" (Image #7)
- OU812 was a custom wooden guitar distinct from the composite 5150 GL2-T
- Used during Van Halen's OU812 tour in 1988-89
Geddy Lee's (Rush) 1981 Steinberger L2 bass
- Geddy began using the Steinberger L2 during the Signals tour in 1982 and used it until the Power Windows tour in 1986
- He also used it to record Rush's Grace Under Pressure album in 1984
Mark Knopfler's (Dire Straits) 1985 Steinberger GL2T SN 3057 sold in 2024 for $87,000
- Knopfler played this guitar at the 1986 Prince's Trust Rock Gala performing with Sting, Elton John, Phill Collins and Eric Clapton
Sting's (Police) 1982 Steinberger L2 bass - In 1982, The Police were at the top of the world and the top of their game. Sting used a Steinberger L2 around the time of Synchronicity, and it was often used to dub lines that he had played on the electric upright bass as mentioned above. He used it in the studio a bit, but it was replaced in 1983 by his famous Spector bass which is now on display at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Blue Öyster Cult's Buck Dharma Explains Why Steinberger Is His Main Guitar
Allan Holdsworth's Limited Edition Steinberger GL2TA-AH Signature model (Image #15)
- In 1987 Allan Holdsworth collaborated with Ned Steinberg to introduce his signature model, the Steinberger GL2TA-AH.
- It was a variation of the Steinberger GL series, featuring a headless design made of a graphite and carbon fiber composite, known as Steinberger Blend, for stability and tonal consistency.
- The GL2TA-AH had a double-cutaway body, a 25.5-inch scale length, and 24 frets on a phenolic or maple neck.
- Key features included:
- Pickups: Two Seymour Duncan SH-2N humbuckers, with a custom wiring configuration for Holdsworth’s preference of versatile tonal options, including coil-splitting capabilities.
- Bridge: Steinberger’s innovative TransTrem vibrato system, allowing pitch shifting across a wide range while maintaining tuning stability.
- Body: Compact and lightweight, designed for ergonomic playability, with a focus on resonance and sustain suited to Holdsworth’s fluid, legato-heavy style.
- Holdsworth praised the guitar for its ease of string changes, tuning stability, and consistent construction, which he found superior to traditional wooden guitars.
- The GL2TA-AH was used extensively by Holdsworth in live performances and recordings during the late 1980s and early 1990s, notably on albums like Sand (1987) and Secrets (1989).
- While production details are scarce, it was a limited-run model tailored to his specifications, and original units are now rare and sought after by collectors.
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Mach Five Guitar
The M5 Guitar is a 2019 Steinberger Spirit GT-PRO Deluxe SN 19012304536
Specifications include:
- Finish: Gloss
- Neck Material: 3-pc Hard Maple
- Body Top: AAA Quilt Maple Veneer
- Body Material: Basswood
- Neck Shape: 1960's SlimTaper™; D profile
- Fingerboard Material: Engineered Hardwood
- Fingerboard Radius: 14"
- Frets: 24; Medium-Jumbo
- Scale Length 25.5"
- Zero Nut Width: 1.625
- 12th Fret Width: 2.04"
- Bridge: Locking R-Trem™ Tremolo System
- Saddle Material: Steel
- Bridge String Spacing: 0.42"
- Tuning System: Patented 40:1 Ratio Direct-Pull
- Neck Pickup: Steinberger HB-2
- Middle Pickup: Steinberger SC-1
- Bridge Pickup: Steinberger HB-1
- Master Volume
- Master Tone
- 5-Way Pickup Selector
- Hardware: Black
- Output Jack: Premium 1/4" Barrel-Style
- Strings: Steinberger DoubleBall™ 10-46
- Other: Fold Down/Up Leg Rest
- Weight: 7.0 lbs • Length: 30.25"
- Colors: Black (BK), Frost Blue (FB), Hot Rod Red (HR), Hot Rod Yellow (HY), White (WH), Yin Yang (YY)
Image Descriptions
- The Mach Five guitar
- Geddy Lee Steinberger
- Eddie Van Halen playing black Steinberger
- Eddie Van Halen playing 5150 Steinberger
- EVH 3 guitars
- Eddie Van Halen 5150 Steinberger
- Eddie Van Halen OU812 Steinberger
- Eddie Van Halen Steinberger being repaired
- 5150 faceplate
- Steinberger GL2
- Steinberger GL2T ad
- Steinberger L2
- Steinberger L2 ad
- Steinberger L2 ad
- Allan Holdsworth