Common Service Issues
Our technicians, who were employed at the original Steinberger factory in Newburgh, NY
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Common Steinberger Issues and Solutions
At HeadlessUSA, we’ve encountered countless Steinberger guitars and basses over the years, and certain issues tend to come up repeatedly. We’d like to share some of these common problems and their solutions to help you keep your instrument in top shape.
1. TransTrem Bearing Replacement
Almost every TransTrem-equipped guitar that we’ve seen requires a bearing replacement. The original Steinberger factory installed basic open bearings, which don’t hold up well over time. Even guitars that haven’t been played often need new bearings as the original lubrication dries up. We recommend replacing these bearings with permanently sealed ones, and we also suggest changing out the TransTrem spring during this process.
This is a relatively inexpensive job that significantly improves TransTrem performance. If your guitar tech is unfamiliar with this work or doesn’t believe it’s necessary, contact us—we’re happy to handle the job for you. We keep these bearings and springs in stock, and they can be found on our Parts page.
2. Faulty Roller Saddles on TransTrem and "S" Trem Guitars
Another common issue with TransTrem and "S" Trem-equipped guitars is faulty roller saddles. These saddles need to spin smoothly for the tremolo to function correctly, but over time, they can fail. Fortunately, this is an easy replacement that anyone can do. We stock WNV vintage-reissue roller saddles, which are high-quality, exact-size replacements at an affordable price. These are also available on our Parts page.
3. Neck Relief and Twisting Issues
While Steinberger’s blend neck materials were once thought to be “bullet-proof,” we’ve seen plenty of issues over the years, including too much or too little neck relief and even twisted necks. Causes for these issues range from manufacturing inconsistencies to extreme heat exposure.
We have successfully saved many problem necks by removing the frets, re-radiusing the fingerboard, and refretting the instrument. While this is not an inexpensive process, it’s often a more cost-effective solution than replacing the entire guitar or bass. Many repair shops lack experience with these phenolic fingerboards, so it’s crucial to trust an expert. If your Steinberger has neck issues, we’re happy to help at reasonable rates and with efficient turnaround times.
4. Fingerboard Relief on Steinberger Instruments
Unlike most guitars and basses, Steinberger instruments don’t have relief (curvature) built into the neck—it’s built into the fingerboard instead. When having fret work done on a Steinberger, it’s essential to use a technician with plenty of experience working on these unique designs.
We carry a variety of popular fret wire options and can provide more details on pricing and availability. Contact us for more information.
At HeadlessUSA, we love what we do, and it shows in every repair and restoration we perform. If you have any questions or need assistance with your Steinberger, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help ensure your instrument continues to perform at its best.
Stay Headless!
— The Team at HeadlessUSA
At HeadlessUSA, we’ve encountered countless Steinberger guitars and basses over the years, and certain issues tend to come up repeatedly. We’d like to share some of these common problems and their solutions to help you keep your instrument in top shape.
1. TransTrem Bearing Replacement
Almost every TransTrem-equipped guitar that we’ve seen requires a bearing replacement. The original Steinberger factory installed basic open bearings, which don’t hold up well over time. Even guitars that haven’t been played often need new bearings as the original lubrication dries up. We recommend replacing these bearings with permanently sealed ones, and we also suggest changing out the TransTrem spring during this process.
This is a relatively inexpensive job that significantly improves TransTrem performance. If your guitar tech is unfamiliar with this work or doesn’t believe it’s necessary, contact us—we’re happy to handle the job for you. We keep these bearings and springs in stock, and they can be found on our Parts page.
2. Faulty Roller Saddles on TransTrem and "S" Trem Guitars
Another common issue with TransTrem and "S" Trem-equipped guitars is faulty roller saddles. These saddles need to spin smoothly for the tremolo to function correctly, but over time, they can fail. Fortunately, this is an easy replacement that anyone can do. We stock WNV vintage-reissue roller saddles, which are high-quality, exact-size replacements at an affordable price. These are also available on our Parts page.
3. Neck Relief and Twisting Issues
While Steinberger’s blend neck materials were once thought to be “bullet-proof,” we’ve seen plenty of issues over the years, including too much or too little neck relief and even twisted necks. Causes for these issues range from manufacturing inconsistencies to extreme heat exposure.
We have successfully saved many problem necks by removing the frets, re-radiusing the fingerboard, and refretting the instrument. While this is not an inexpensive process, it’s often a more cost-effective solution than replacing the entire guitar or bass. Many repair shops lack experience with these phenolic fingerboards, so it’s crucial to trust an expert. If your Steinberger has neck issues, we’re happy to help at reasonable rates and with efficient turnaround times.
4. Fingerboard Relief on Steinberger Instruments
Unlike most guitars and basses, Steinberger instruments don’t have relief (curvature) built into the neck—it’s built into the fingerboard instead. When having fret work done on a Steinberger, it’s essential to use a technician with plenty of experience working on these unique designs.
We carry a variety of popular fret wire options and can provide more details on pricing and availability. Contact us for more information.
At HeadlessUSA, we love what we do, and it shows in every repair and restoration we perform. If you have any questions or need assistance with your Steinberger, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help ensure your instrument continues to perform at its best.
Stay Headless!
— The Team at HeadlessUSA