[Justin Bailey]

THE STEINBERGER ZT3 SNEAK PEEK

All the inside scoop as of 4/20/08


We recently received a detailed Steinberger update from Jim Rosenberg, head of Epiphone. While the official roll out on the Steinberger website won't happen until May 1st, SteinbergerWorld is proud to share advanced word of those details now:

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As has been outlined before, Steinberger will be expanding USA retail distribution beyond just Musician's Friend. They are planning on a big retail roll-out and an even bigger year for Steinberger in 2008. Sales through MusicYo have been winding down as the dealer network has lined up.

In addition to being able to see dealers listed on upcoming ads, we've received an Excel spreadsheet detailing all the upcoming US retailers. These dealers will handle the ZT3 as well as the existing Synapse line. Rosenberg added "I would encourage your readers to both contact these dealers and "reserve" their Steinberger NOW or contact unlisted retailers and ask them "why the heck" they're not a Steinberger retailer." So it looks like pre-orders are available!

We'll try to keep updated copies of this spreadsheet if possible.
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Many of the details of the ZT3 can be found in the Product Preview - Advance Information document found here. It details the new body style & construction, the new TT3, and the electronics configuration.
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A high quality video demo of the new ZT3 can be found at ZT3
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Steinberger will also will be introducing the new "Demon" TranScale Synapse guitar. You might recall a stolen prototype of this instrument was glimpsed on eBay for a brief moment last year. Below is an official pic of this new model. Click on it for a larger res image.



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The Spirit line will also be available at retail again. This means that Synapse, the new Z-series and Spirits will all be available at these retailers. Anticipated availability is July 2008.
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Here are some things we don't know:

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There is no information about international availability other than what's listed on the Advance Info document.
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At this time Steinberger has no information to share regarding availability of the Steinberger USA "reissues". However it's safe to say, they will not be at retailers in July.
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No word on any new bass models.

The following is the initial ad running in upcoming magazines:



Finally, here are detailed pics to drool over. Click on the thumb for a full size, high res view. They are large so please be patient while they load.

























All this info is courtesy of Steinberger World

[darren]

Wow!

A new TransTrem? Those things are going to sell like mad. I'm puzzled by the inclusion of a leg rest on what is essentially a Strat-shaped guitar. It seems a little redundant, unless the guitar is really poorly balanced.

The body shape is kinda cool, but also knda quirky and weird. I would have rather seen just an M-series re-issue with some updates.

[the.godfather]

I like the look of all of those. They'll sell out within hours no doubt. I even think the new 'Demon' model looks pretty sweet, and I usually hate shapes like that!

Impressive!

[Justin Bailey]

Originally Posted by darren

Wow!

I would have rather seen just an M-series re-issue with some updates.

I would rather have had that too, but these new guitars looks pretty cool, and the new transtrem looks great, hopefully they'll get the music yo M re issues in production again. The demon looks cool, but I wish they'd have made it a synapse M instead.

[D-EJ915]

those looks awesome, are they USA or imports?

[Justin Bailey]

Originally Posted by D-EJ915

those looks awesome, are they USA or imports?

not sure. I assume the transtremmed model is USA, but I cant be certain.

[darren]

For the price, i'd guess they're USA.

[Justin Bailey]

wonder what the street price will be, maybe I could afford it, maybe not. here's hoping they bring back the M series with a price tag I can afford.

[Drew]

Awesome. Steinbergers are some of the ugliest guitars I've ever seen, yet I kind of want one, simply for that trem.

[DDDorian]

First off - sweet zombie jesus! My (admittedly crappy) PC choked for about fifteen minutes thanks to those huge pics. Can the OP or one of the mods change them to links? It'd be much appreciated.

As for the content... can't say I dig any of the new shapes at all, but eben they don't ruin the excitement of a new transtrem. Huzzah!