Steinberger ZT-3 Custom Electric Guitar (With Gig Bag)
The ZT-3 Custom follows Steinberger's tradition of innovation. With the revolutionary TransTrem system, the Steinberger ZT-3 Custom can bend chords in pitch.
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Manufacturer's Description for Steinberger ZT-3 Custom TransTrem Electric Guitar (With Gig Bag)
Since the introduction of the first Steinberger instruments in 1980, the Steinberger name has become synonymous with evolution, innovation, ergonomics and performance. Continuing that tradition, Steinberger announces the new ZT-3 guitar with the revolutionary new version of the TransTrem(TM) transposing tremolo system. As it was with the introduction of the first Steinberger's equipped with the original TransTrem, the new ZT-3 is the world's ONLY guitar capable of transposing keys and bending chords in pitch. Simply move the tremolo arm to the un-locked playing position and dial in your key. The TransTrem can take you from standard "E" tuning up to "F" and then to "F#" or down to "Eb" or way down to "D." Lock in the key by moving the arm back and you're ready for anything. And, when locked, the tremolo acts much like a "fixed" bridge in that sustain is improved and should you break a string, the other strings still stay in tune. In the un-locking position, the TransTrem acts like a regular tremolo capable of extreme pitch bending with smooth and renowned Steinberger accuracy.
Pickups and Construction
But the ZT-3 Custom isn't just about the TransTrem. This new "Z" design created by Ned Steinberger is a HYBRID instrument combining the strength, rigidity and clarity of graphite with the warmth and beauty of wood. At the heart of it's construction is our Cybrosonic(TM) neck featuring our patented graphite U-channel with adjustable truss rod uniquely crafted into a 3-piece, hard maple neck. We then add a smooth and durable phenolic fingerboard to create an instrument with distinctive tonal clarity, sustain, "pop" and response as well as excellent stability.
Two custom-made USA humbuckers combined with an innovative switching system lets you tap into 8 different combintations. By using a push/pull switch on both the volume and the tone controls, you can use the ZT-3's pickups "in series" as you would other two humbucker-equipped instruments but also "in parallel" to create single-coil tones but without the noise typically associated with stand-alone single coil pickups. The result is a guitar that works for a variety of styles - from rock to blues, jazz to country.
Other Features
Other features include a a gorgeous flame maple top, zero-fret for improved intonation, the new Steinberger Combo headpiece to allow for the use of DoubleBall(TM) and single ball strings and our patented Direct-Drive double-ball bridge with 40:1 tuners for tuning ease, accuracy and stability that only a Steinberger can provide. With Steinberger, you can change strings in seconds, tune up once and not have to tune again until you change strings again. Provided with a premium, padded gigbag, the ZT3 also makes a great travel instrument measuring only about 35" in length and capable of fitting into the tightest of places including overhead airplane bins. The result is a guitar of unequalled performance, comfort and flexibility. Steinberger - State of the Instrument.
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"Steinberger ZT3 review: 2011/11/30"
Sound:
The composite material fingerboard and high quality hard maple wood construction makes for a clear, rich tone that remains highly articulate even when played through heavily overdriven settings. Between the 3-way pickup selector and the push/pull (series/parallel wiring) pots this guitar can produce 8 different tonal settings, all of which are excellent and completely noise-free. I am primarily a rock-oriented player with 30+ years playing guitar, many of them at the semi-professional level. From light to heavy styles this instrument covers all the tonal bases quite nicely.
Feature:
The TransTrem bridge system is a genius design. It works amazingly well. My only concern is that it takes a little bit to get used to it. The bar functions in 3 positions: regular vibrato, locked (like a hardtail bridge), and the TransTrem position. The TransTrem feature allows you to transpose the entire set of strings up or down an entire step by 1/2 step increments, effectively giving you 5 different available tunings.
The double ball strings system is a dream to use, and the 40:1 ratio tuners are rock solid. This instrument also facilitates using regular strings, just in case you do not have or can not get double ball strings. The literature states that if you use regular strings it is possible you may not have quite as much accuracy using the TransTrem system. I do not know personally because so far I have only used the double ball strings.
The instrument is made of hard maple and the fretboard is made of composite material. The composite materials are resistant to changes in heat and humidity (a big concern when playing live, especially outdoors), resulting in an extremely stable platform that does not go out of tune at all. I have used this instrument on the stage and in the studio and my tuning has not shifted by more than just a few cents over the course of several hours of continuous playing. In fact, the tuning and intonation are so good that this is quickly becoming my number one instrument for recording.
Another great feature is the fold-down leg rest. You wouldn't think it would such a useful thing, but once you use it (for example playing parts while seated in the studio) you realize what a great feature it is. It causes the guitar to rest in the most ergonomic position. I love it!
Ease of Use:
Absolutely excellent instrument. I only give it a 9 because of the learning curve associated with the TransTrem system. But honestly, I am just being picky. As noted earlier, there are 8 different pickup tonal combinations available and all of them are quite good. The pickups are Gibson Custom Voiced humbuckers (90R neck, 91T bridge). You can get the classic growl and bite associated with Gibson guitars, but also achieve those sweet, shimmering bell-like tones and clarity you'd get from a good Strat or Tele, only without the 60 cycle noise.
I play through Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5 (Pro version with Kontrol foot pedal) running either into 2 amps or DI into the house. I have yet to get a bad tone. In fact, the clarity of this instrument keeps me honest, because if I play it, the guitar is going to let you hear it!
The instrument's playability is very good. When it first arrived the action was a bit high for my taste, but adjusting it was quite easy. My Ibanez Prestige Series guitar has a slightly faster action, which is great for shredding up high on the neck, but the Steinberger's tuning is more stable, which is critical in recording situations. It's a bit of a tradeoff. This instrument does have pretty good action, it's just that I like my action super-low, which is difficult to achieve on most guitars anyway.
Quality:
The workmanship is impeccable. I purchased this instrument as a "blemished" product and I still am not sure exactly what or where the blemish is. My impression is this instrument will last practically forever as long as it is properly cared for. I would expect that this instrument will out live me.
Value:
Without a doubt this guitar is well worth its price. I have seen and/or played various guitars (including Les Pauls and some PRS models) that sold for more and had less to offer in the way of features or ease of use.
Manufacturer Support:
No opinion. The instrument is of the highest quality and I do not anticipate ever having to contact the company for service-realted issues.
The Wow Factor:
I LOVE this guitar! And yes, the headless neck has that "cool factor" going for it. Every time I play this instrument in public I get all sorts of positive comments about both it's tone and it's appearance. It is pretty common after a show to have all the guitar players come around and talk about gear, but this instrument draws out the non-musicians as well who just really want to see a headless guitar up close.
Overall:
I am always on the hunt for more great instruments (my wife jokingly calls me Nigel whenever she steps into my studio), but this is a serious guitar for serious musicians. I expect my satisfaction to remain at a very high level for a very long time. If the instrument were lost or stolen you can bet I would be on the phone with my insurance company in a matter of minutes, demanding a replacement ASAP.
Style of Music: Rock, Christian rock, some country and jazz
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"No BETTA!"
Sound:
VERY versatile sounds. Great CLEAN and loves pedals!
Feature:
PP pots to single coil modes! QUALITY! Very Fast neck!
Ease of Use:
Plug and PLAY hard!
Quality:
Great QUALITY throughout!
Value:
Come on people! It is a STEINBERGER! Have you ever heard of them losing value? Besides they are a PLAYERS guitar!
Manufacturer Support:
Called for a part and Gibson sent me extras!
The Wow Factor:
Um, I own it!
Overall:
AWESOME!
Style of Music: ALL!
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