Steinberger XP2A headless bass, 5-bolt GRAPHITE neck, gloss WHITE, Active EMGs, restored by Jeff Babicz, with OEM gig bag, set of light Double-Ball strings, STADB04 single-ball string adapter, hex wrench

1980's RETRO Steinberger XP2A headless bass, 5-bolt GRAPHITE neck, gloss WHITE, Active EMGs, restored by Jeff Babicz, with OEM gig bag, set of light Double-Ball strings, STADB04 single-ball string adapter, hex wrench. Year of manufacture is approximately 1984 - 1986.

Please read this entire listing prior to messaging or purchasing (no offers, no trades, no returns).

I bought this Steinberger XP2A bass from the late, great Don Greenwald (RIP), the original owner and founder of HeadlessUSA, back in 2019. It had just been restored by Jeff Babicz, which was the standard mode of operation for HUSA back then. The restoration included the installation of 2 new EMG HBCS pickups.

After receiving the bass, I removed the 9V battery and tucked it away as part of a vintage Steinberger collection. The XP2A was never used or played since Jeff Babicz restored it, so it still has the mirror polish he put on the frets.

Don graded this XP2A as being in EXC condition on the HeadlessUSA website, although the listing pics did not really show in detail the bumps, dings, and scratches in the body and paint. Even though this bass is in outstanding condition for its age of roughly 40 years, I believe the body falls more in line with being in VGC condition due to the signs of wear and handling.

Even though I felt Don had overstated the condition of the bass a bit, I decided to keep it because finding an XP with ACTIVE EMG pickups is difficult. Getting active pickups was an option that had to be special ordered from the factory. As you will discover if you search this model out, the majority of Steinberger XP basses were manufactured with PASSIVE EMG pickups.

The angled cut line in the left side of the pickguard shows the guard is actually 2-pieces on an XP with ACTIVE EMG pickups. This cut was part of the manufacturing process and was made at the Steinberger factory to create the 9V battery access panel. You don’t see a separation line in the pickguard on the majority of XP basses because having ACTIVE EMG pickups was an option not often selected due to the extra cost of $200 some 40 years ago.

The bass is still in exceptional condition for its age, but the WHITE body does have quite a few bumps, dings, and scratches in it, especially around the bottoms of the fins. The paint does exhibit quite a vintage look due to its age. Review the pic of the opened battery compartment to see the contrast from what the color looked like when the bass was new.

The listing pics show that a few random defect spots were touched up with paint, probably to seal exposed wood. Please review all the pics and judge the body for yourself. Overall, the bass is in great condition for being 40 years old, and especially as it was restored by Jeff Babicz.

The gloss WHITE paint on the body is the original from the factory, so I can see why Don did not opt to have it repainted. This is a vintage bass. The factory bright white color has aged to more of an antique white over the past 40 years. The original WHITE color can be seen in the photo where the flip-down leg rest is opened as well.

There are also some light gouges on the backside of the neck on the top corner edge behind the headpiece. I’m surprised Jeff Babicz didn't sand out these marks prior to buffing the neck out but this is the way it came to me from HUSA. See pic # 20. These small gouges could probably be sanded out and the surface buffed out again if the new owner wanted the neck to look closer to perfect.

Due to the dings and scratches in the body, combined with the pock marks at the top of the backside of the neck, I have categorized this bass as only being in VERY GOOD condition as opposed to EXCELLENT. In my opinion, it is better to understate the condition of a guitar when grading so the buyer does not experience any disappointments.

The gig bag is also in VGC with no rips, tears, or stains in the fabric, although a few spots on the top end were resewn along the outside seam.

As this bass is close to 40 years old, it is being sold as-is with no warranty, expressed or implied. The XP2A will be given a functional test into an amplifier prior to shipping to ensure the electronic components operate normally, with no scratching, crackling, or popping sounds being generated from the instrument.

This bass was set up by Jeff Babicz, most likely to the original Steinberger specs used in the factory as Jeff used to work there. You may want to take it to a local guitar shop and have it set up more to your liking.

Below are the measurements I took on the XP2A prior to listing it here:

String height at 12th fret: 2.0 mm
Neck relief (non-adjustable, no truss rod): 0.6 mm
String spacing at bridge (non-adjustable): 16.5 mm

On a side note, this bass was only handled, tested, and photographed while nitrile gloves were being worn, as is the shop policy. This protocol keeps the guitars clean, as new, and free of fingerprints.

Please research all aspects of this part or piece of gear via internet searches, YouTube videos, Facebook groups, brick-and-mortar music stores, musician’s blogs, manufacturer’s demo clips, etc. It is your responsibility to fully understand the details, pros, cons, and particulars surrounding this part or piece of gear before finalizing the sale from your Reverb shopping cart. Message me with any questions or concerns PRIOR to purchasing this item. If you do purchase this piece of gear, consider the sale to be final as stated clearly and repeatedly within this Reverb listing.

This shop does not offer a 'try it first' option. If you buy this part or piece of gear and for some reason do not like its sound, operation, functionality, fit, feel, finish, coloration, look, or whatever else, it will be your turn to list the item as being for sale from your Reverb shop. NO RETURNS. By purchasing this item, you are confirming that you agree and accept all the terms of sale outlined in this listing.

NOTE: The Reverb ‘Make Offer’ button was intentionally de-selected when this listing was created as most gear is already being sold at a substantial loss. Pricing is set to what seems reasonable based on other similar items or historical sales and may be adjusted up or down periodically depending on the market. Additionally, the shop is in the process of ‘thinning the herd’ in preparation for an upcoming out-of-state move and therefore is not able to entertain offers of trades either.

Shipping will be to the continental lower 48 USA states only, Hawaii and Alaska excluded. Per Reverb's shipping rules, the package will be issued a shipping label within 3 days (72 hours) after the time of purchase. At this point, the gear is considered shipped by the Reverb system, even if the package has not been scanned in by the courier or physically loaded onto a truck. Buyers will be notified as soon as the package is physically in the hands of the courier. A tracking number should become active on the Reverb website within 24 hours after the drop-off time.

Smaller boxes used to contain parts, Euro rack modules, or effects pedals can usually be shipped via USPS Ground Advantage. Larger boxes used to contain rack-mounted gear, guitars, or basses normally ship via UPS Ground or FedEx Ground. All couriers give estimates of 5 to 7 DAYS of transit time after the package is dropped off. The day the package is dropped off or picked up by the courier is not included in this estimate, so this adds 1 MORE DAY to the total shipping estimate.

Doing the math, 3 DAYS to ship + 1 DAY for pickup or processing at the courier's hub + 5 to 7 DAYS in transit + 1 Sunday = 10 to 12 DAYS total from the time of purchase. Although the majority of gear sold at this shop has made it to the new owner(s) within 7 to 8 DAYS, it can take 12 DAYS or MORE from the time of purchase for a package to reach the destination address.

How long the delivery takes is dependent on multiple factors, including the distance from Loveland CO to the destination address, courier slowdowns due to adverse weather conditions, unexpected courier delays, and mistakes made by the courier while the package is in transit. By purchasing this piece of gear, you are acknowledging the facts stated above and confirming that you are accepting the shipping time estimates provided therein regarding the delivery of your package.

Reverb Safe Shipping FULL COVERAGE insurance typically costs 1.5 to 3.0% of the selling price. This cost, along with the cost of all packaging materials (guitar box, bubble wrap, tape), is INCLUDED in the shipping total shown in the listing. Per Reverb's shipping insurance rules, a signature will be required for all deliveries. This service adds another 3 - 4 dollars to the total shipping cost as well.

All parts and pieces of gear will be professionally packaged inside a sturdy cardboard guitar box prior to shipping, with ample space and padding surrounding the item. Any open spaces will be filled with Styrofoam peanuts, cornstarch peanuts, Kraft paper, foam, and/or bubble wrap for maximum protection of the part or piece of gear.