Not So New Toy On It's Way

[Hk-USPC-40]

My Son David's 30th Birthday was Thursday 8/26/21 & I bought him a Amberide Kydex Left Handed IWB Holster for His S&W M&P Shield 380 EZ..
Thought I'd share a few photos of that.. Along with my favorite carry piece the M&P Shield 9mm 2.0..





Anyhow David has been saving his money up & looking for another Instrument & Came across a Early/Mid 80 Steinberger XP-2 Bass
What's Crazy is when I was 15 years old I dreamed of having one of these BUT They Cost $999.99 = Under a Grand.. It Was Just a Dream Back Then..
Being I repair & fix guitars as a hobby this bass needs a Jaw/Claw on the bridge of the D String & is missing the fold out Leg Rest..
It's Coming from Nashville TN & should be here next week sometime..
Bad thing is most parts are unavailable now days BUT with some hard looking & reaching out We found every piece & Ed Roman's Guitars in Las Vegas + a couple sets of those hard to find double ball end Flat Wound Strings.. We Ordered those parts first before ordering the Bass.. Then went to Reverb & bought the Bass..
I'm as stoked as He is about His New Guitar Coming.. We have two other Bass Guitars = An Ibanez SR 300 Sound Gear & a NAMM Show Fretless Jackson JPB-7..
Thought I'd Share a few photos of the upcoming bass guitar, it's an Early Steinberger XP-2 with a Carbon Fiber Neck & Dual EMG Passive Humbucking Pickups..
The seller sold it cheap as they couldn't find the parts to repair it.. Most of these sell for $2000 - $2500+ or More..


Here's the broken Jaw/Claw that allowed him to save $1500+ on this deal.. It should be fairly easy to fix BUT I have zero knowledge on these but am learning..
It's 100% American Made in NY & takes Hex Head Screws on everything.. It needs a good cleaning & buffing + I'll need the hex head screws for the leg rest..
Should be able to find them @ Home Depot or Ace Hardware..

 

[AGG]

My Son David's 30th Birthday was Thursday 8/26/21 & I bought him a Amberide Kydex Left Handed IWB Holster for His S&W M&P Shield 380 EZ..
Thought I'd share a few photos of that.. Along with my favorite carry piece the M&P Shield 9mm 2.0..

Anyhow David has been saving his money up & looking for another Instrument & Came across a Early/Mid 80 Steinberger XP-2 Bass
What's Crazy is when I was 15 years old I dreamed of having one of these BUT They Cost $999.99 = Under a Grand.. It Was Just a Dream Back Then..
Being I repair & fix guitars as a hobby this bass needs a Jaw/Claw on the bridge of the D String & is missing the fold out Leg Rest..
It's Coming from Nashville TN & should be here next week sometime..
Bad thing is most parts are unavailable now days BUT with some hard looking & reaching out We found every piece & Ed Roman's Guitars in Las Vegas + a couple sets of those hard to find double ball end Flat Wound Strings.. We Ordered those parts first before ordering the Bass.. Then went to Reverb & bought the Bass..
I'm as stoked as He is about His New Guitar Coming.. We have two other Bass Guitars = An Ibanez SR 300 Sound Gear & a NAMM Show Fretless Jackson JPB-7..
Thought I'd Share a few photos of the upcoming bass guitar, it's an Early Steinberger XP-2 with a Carbon Fiber Neck & Dual EMG Passive Humbucking Pickups..
The seller sold it cheap as they couldn't find the parts to repair it.. Most of these sell for $2000 - $2500+ or More..

Here's the broken Jaw/Claw that allowed him to save $1500+ on this deal.. It should be fairly easy to fix BUT I have zero knowledge on these but am learning..
It's 100% American Made in NY & takes Hex Head Screws on everything.. It needs a good cleaning & buffing + I'll need the hex head screws for the leg rest..
Should be able to find them @ Home Depot or Ace Hardware..

Excellent birthday present and guitar--- glad that you were able to source the parts.

Tony

 

[Hk-USPC-40]

Since Gibson bought Steinberger parts have dried up + this is an early model that was only made a couple years & the bridge was made by hand in Ned's shop in Newburgh New York, It is Variant 2 of the bridges He made, There was a guy who worked for Ned Steinberger named Ed Roman who started a huge Guitar store in Las Vegas Nevada & has since passed away, But He bought all of Steinberger's parts stash & they still have them in Vegas & His Daughter Runs the store there now.. There's a Great Luthier named Bob who works there & after talking to him on the phone He said there are 4-5 different Claws/Jaws that where used on the basses alone.. So I e-mailed him that picture above & after about a half hour He called me back & said He had ONE Claw in his stash of goodies.. = Oh Yeah!!
He also had ONE fold out leg rest He would sell us, They are wanted by folks with Gibson Flying Vs & are very hard to find.. & He had two sets of the Flat Wound Double Ball End strings made by LaBella in .043" .060" .082" .104 to complete the package, All of these things are Unobtanium..
If you go looking for parts you will come up with a company Called HeadlessUSA & they have very little parts available but are affiliated with another former employee of Steinberger named Jeff Babicz who invented some full contact guitar bridges etc. but no parts for the old models..
He made EVHs Steinberger Trans trem Model Gl2t.. I have since come across a guy who makes these Jaws/Claws of Stainless Steel but has limited availability.
I will take the broken Jaw & have it braised & clean it up with a file or dremel & keep it for the future.. The stainless ones would stick out like a sore thumb but are an option available, I went out to my shop & dug up my Emperial Hex Wrenches & Bits waiting on the Steinberger XP-2 & started looking threw my Late Brothers stuff.. What do you do with huge boxes full of Vintage Porno Magazines?? Guess I'll Burn them all up.. Just had a small look..
I need to have this Logo made into a sticker as the pickguard was replaced by one from Chandler..
This is what it would have looked like, I know there are printers with razor blades..
Would have looked like this..

ROCK ON!!
Gary the Guitar Repair Man..
Pickups will more than likely be the next upgrade which is Easy Now Days..
Ears will be the Guide on this.. Thumper Will Be Here Very Soon!! BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!

 

[Hk-USPC-40]

In the photo the seller tightened the D string & slackened the other three to hold the string in place for the pictures..
My Sons go too bass strings are flat wound Chromes in .045-.105, The .043-.104s LaBellas are very close..
Hopefully I can get it to play great as these carbon fiber necks have no truss rod so the necks aren't adjustable but there are a few secrets to get them right.

I found a guy with a water slide decal but it is in the opposite color for a white guitar.. Darn It..
Plus it would be 40 years old anyhow..

 

[Hk-USPC-40]

 

[Hk-USPC-40]

The Broken Jaw Claw was the only reason this Bass Guitar was sold at a price we could afford..
CRAZY that the seller wouldn't have been able to find the parts or repair it himself???????

 

[Hk-USPC-40]

Here's an old Ad from 1985 showing the Steinberger XP-2 Price was $995.00 List..

 

[Hk-USPC-40]

UPS Man dropped off the Steinberger XP-2 Today
It has a Broken D String Jaw & already have the parts coming from Ed Roman's in Vegas
Also has a broken Leg Rest & have that coming too
Ordered a couple sets of LaBella Flat Wounds & will give it a lubricating, cleaning & a setup..
Didn't get any new pictures & my Son is in his studio playing it with three strings
Sounds Good thru the Ashdown 300-410T Boom Boom Boom Boooooom!!

The broken Leg Rest was in the case & also had the bolts I was trying to source..

It's 100% Other Than the "Broken Jaw" & Leg Rest
Serial # is N1276 Steinberger Made in USA
Dates it somewhere from 1983-1985

I had someone ask "What's a XP-2 Steinberger worth Now Days?"
Researched the 14 that are currently available for sale @ Reverb & eBay
Average Cost = $2430. Lowest was $1450 & Highest was $3900
He Paid just a smidge over a Grand with S&H & Parts that have yet to come from Las Vegas
Gary

 

[AGG]

UPS Man dropped off the Steinberger XP-2 Today
It has a Broken D String Jaw & already have the parts coming from Ed Roman's in Vegas
Also has a broken Leg Rest & have that coming too
Ordered a couple sets of LaBella Flat Wounds & will give it a lubricating, cleaning & a setup..
Didn't get any new pictures & my Son is in his studio playing it with three strings
Sounds Good thru the Ashdown 300-410T Boom Boom Boom Boooooom!!

The broken Leg Rest was in the case & also had the bolts I was trying to source..

It's 100% Other Than the "Broken Jaw" & Leg Rest
Serial # is N1276 Steinberger Made in USA
Dates it somewhere from 1983-1985

I had someone ask "What's a XP-2 Steinberger worth Now Days?"
Researched the 14 that are currently available for sale @ Reverb & eBay
Average Cost = $2430. Lowest was $1450 & Highest was $3900
He Paid just a smidge over a Grand with S&H & Parts that have yet to come from Las Vegas
Gary

Pictures of the final build.

Tony

 

[Hk-USPC-40]

Replaced the broken jaw, Installed new leg rest & New Flat Wound LaBella Flat wound string + tightened all the hex head screws that has loosened up over the last four decades, What's Crazy is every allen screw on the bridge is Metric = 1-1/2mm & 2mm but every one on the body is Imperial 7/64"..
100% Made In The USA, I had read that at one point Ned Steinberger had the bridges made in Germany by Schaller, SO?
It sounds a bit Warmer with the smooth flat wounds & tuned down 1/2 step..
Plays as good as the day it was made.. Not a dead note anywhere, Should be good for another 30-40 years!
NOTE: The threaded stud on the G string has a larger step in it's shaft, So I put a nylon spacer over it..
I never got around to opening up the pickguard to clean the control pots. they are perfect & aren't scratchy @ all..
STEINBERGER N1276 is HEALED.. That's a drop of oil by the E String Tuner on the bridge + some dog hairs..
Found some Decals on eBay either stick on or water slide.. That'll Be next..
My New Bands Name is - Angry Gary & The Piss Soaked Socks - Just Kidding but it sounds Good.. HaHa!!
Stay Safe Out There This Labor Day Weekend
Gary

 

[AGG]

Replaced the broken jaw, Installed new leg rest & New Flat Wound LaBella Flat wound string + tightened all the hex head screws that has loosened up over the last four decades, What's Crazy is every allen screw on the bridge is Metric = 1-1/2mm & 2mm but every one on the body is Imperial 7/64"..
100% Made In The USA, I had read that at one point Ned Steinberger had the bridges made in Germany by Schaller, SO?
It sounds a bit Warmer with the smooth flat wounds & tuned down 1/2 step..
Plays as good as the day it was made.. Not a dead note anywhere, Should be good for another 30-40 years!
NOTE: The threaded stud on the G string has a larger step in it's shaft, So I put a nylon spacer over it..
I never got around to opening up the pickguard to clean the control pots. they are perfect & aren't scratchy @ all..
STEINBERGER N1276 is HEALED.. That's a drop of oil by the E String Tuner on the bridge + some dog hairs..
Found some Decals on eBay either stick on or water slide.. That'll Be next..
My New Bands Name is - Angry Gary & The Piss Soaked Socks - Just Kidding but it sounds Good.. HaHa!!
Stay Safe Out There This Labor Day Weekend
Gary

Awesome work and guitar.
KISS (Cheap Trick opening) was my first concert.

Tony

 

[Hk-USPC-40]

Now what's even worse is I bought a 2007 USA Made Parker Fly Deluxe Guitar for $30
It's worth $2000+ but is also missing parts that are unobtanium..


Needs
1) An aluminum threaded stud 1/2" x 20 with a toothed notch cut in it.. Scored This Just Yesterday.. = Yeah!!
2) A Capstan Nut 1/2 x 20.. Can't Find this anywhere but a 1/2 x 20 Lug nut could work.. Will have one made by a machine shop..
3) T-Bar for trem spring.. Available for $15
4) The Tremolo Spring Itself for .009" Strings.. Unobtainable Currently BUT there are some guys making a batch, Gotta Wait = $40..
5) Tremolo Arm with Foam Tip.. Available for $27..
6) One tuner is missing it's locking bolt which I made a temp from an allen bolt & a cut down drill bit.. One New is $20..

It needs a few tremolo parts & a hole fixed in the top with a piece of poplar & some fiberglass work = Boat or Corvette Glass..
This guitar is covered with a .010" carbon fiber skin, Neck is basswood & body is poplar
One of the garbage men found it hanging out of a garbage can & brought it to me & I bought them all lunch = $30.. HaHa!!

I blocked the trem with a piece of thread all & two aluminum spacers.
Got it strung up today & it needs something electronic = Either the pots are dirty or output jack has rust or contacts in the two switches OR??
It also has a piezo acoustic pickup with a control board inside the guitar & takes a 9 volt battery.. Needs to solder the battery box up now.
Frets are stainless steel & glued on = No Fret Tag like a normal guitar.. A 1st for me..

This is a Super High End Guitar.. Weighs 4 1/2 Pounds = The Parker Fly Deluxe..
eBay Link --> https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...57.m570.l1313&_nkw=Parker+Fly+Deluxe&_sacat=0

Note factory DiMarzio Pickups without Ears..
$120 Sperzel Tuners Factory, Note the bolt I made + Pin to get it up & running..
They had some rust, I soaked them in Kroil & took a brass brush in the dremel to them + packed them with white lithium grease..
I assume this guitar has been wet but has dried fully now.. Pickups are wax potted & the body & neck are covered with carbon fiber..

I have the electronics coming out & will take my time with the meter & soldering iron.. Hopefully I can get it going 100%

Later that week they brought me a Takamine Acoustic Electric with broken headstock, I glued that up & will have to get a nut & strings
It's a $1200 Takamine called the New Yorker.. Another BIG Project, But giving me something to do with my time.. Paid $30 for it too..
Also they found me a Banjo & three other guitars on the house.. = Too Many Projects waiting for my time..
That Steinberger Bass started something.. I need to get all my tools in order & my garage is a total mess.. Below is a table in the basement..
Thanks to The Clarksville Street Department & Killer Klingsmith.. KILLER!!


My Temporary Tremolo Spring was a huge syringe with a spring inside.. It was too weak.. So I blocked it up solid for now..

Above is the aluminum bolt I scored & a smaller nut I might be able to drill out & tap to what I need?? Or an open end lug nut the right size @ Auto Zone.

Crazy Odd Tremolo Spring = Exact Opposite of a Fender type but Steinberger used a coil spring to achieve the same thing & available for $15

The Nut I need.. Lug Nut or have one made at the machine shop from aluminum

DiMarzio Pickups

Sperzel Locking Guitar Tuners & Home Made Bolt & Pin.. This works but looks off from the others..

 

[AGG]

Cool guitar--- you have your work cut out for you.

Tony

 

[Hk-USPC-40]

Every Thing I touch on this Parker Fly is a Problem..

Strap Buttons NEXT = Easy Fix I Hope.. Looking threw my stash of parts = Either Jim Dunlop or Schaller or maybe a DiMarzio Strap Lock??

 

[AGG]

I would not know where to begin.

Tony

 

[Hk-USPC-40]

I made two of the nut I needed one is a lug nut from Auto Zone cut down & the other is a concentric knob drilled & tapped
Google Parker Fly Deluxe & you will see that $30 was a deal.. Most sell for over $2000, Some are $5000..
Gary.. Note Picture of Gary & Jerry.. My Twin Bro Died six months ago 3/18/21..

 

[AGG]

I made two of the nut I needed one is a lug nut from Auto Zone cut down & the other is a concentric knob drilled & tapped
Google Parker Fly Deluxe & you will see that $30 was a deal.. Most sell for over $2000, Some are $5000..
Gary.. Note Picture of Gary & Jerry.. My Twin Bro Died six months ago 3/18/21..

Hard to believe that it has been 6 months--- stay strong.

Tony

 

[Hk-USPC-40]

Jerry's Loss has changed everything in my Life..
Taking care of his dummy ole dog for instance
Now I have five dogs & our corner lot isn't fenced in
That's a 24/7/365 job just taking them out too potty

I keep dwelling on his death & that I could have done this or that etc.
Keep a quart of bourbon in the freezer & haven't touched it unless I need cough medicine
Been keeping bust fixing guitars lately
Need Parts for all of them..
Gary

 

[AGG]

Don't second guess what you could or could not have done.
If you did your best, then that is all that matters.

Tony

 

[Hk-USPC-40]

I have been keeping busy repairing guitars & staying away from the gun forums..
This Parker Fly has become a nightmare because every thing that could go wrong has..
I finally acquired the #9 tremolo spring that is made of unobtanium from a guitarist in Nashville who had a few extra

It's 18 years old but NEW.. It got a wiped down with CLP.. Can't Rust OR..
I found a guy who sells other parts on eBay & Reverb who has two stabilization rings + Tremolo Arm, Trem Bushing, T-Bar, & Tension wheel..
Going to make my final order with him tomorrow October 1st.

Also need a Fishman Output jack that has to be bought @ Stew-Mac & Modified
https://www.stewmac.com/electronics/components-and-parts/jacks/fishman-switchjack-endpin-jack


It has taken me over a year to find all the missing parts from this guitar
It was found in a trash can with a hole in it's top were the spring broke & the owner tossed it out..
I have $130 invested now, Bought it for $30 BTW..
It's worth $2000 - $5000 now days.. Parker Fly Deluxe..
Hope David keeps it for life long after I'm Gone..
It such an expensive instrument that We would have never bought one..

MORE TO COME!!

Stay Safe & Always Carry especially at the Grocery Store
Crazy $#!+