United States · Est. 1979
Steinberger
Ned Steinberger's radical headless, bodyless design challenged every assumption about what a guitar could be — and remains unique to this day.
About the brand
Steinberger Sound was founded in 1979 by industrial designer Ned Steinberger in New York. His GL series bass (1979) and then guitar (1983) were unlike anything else on the market: constructed entirely from graphite composite, headless, and in the GL model, without a traditional body. The result was an instrument of remarkable sustain, stability, and ergonomic efficiency.
The Steinberger guitar's graphite neck offered immunity to humidity and temperature changes, eliminating the tuning instability that plagues wood-necked instruments. The TransTrem tremolo system could shift the entire pitch of all strings simultaneously — a feature no other manufacturer has successfully replicated.
Gibson acquired Steinberger in 1987, and the brand went through periods of inactivity and revival. Today Steinberger continues as a niche brand producing headless instruments that remain beloved by travel musicians, progressive players, and anyone who prizes functionality over tradition.
Key facts
- Founded in 1979 by industrial designer Ned Steinberger in New York
- First guitar built entirely from graphite composite, without a traditional headstock or body
- TransTrem tremolo system capable of shifting all strings simultaneously
- Pioneered the headless guitar concept later adopted by Strandberg, Kiesel, and others
Iconic models
Steinberger GL
The most revolutionary headless, woodless guitar in history, built from composite by Ned Steinberger and adopted by avant-garde musicians.
Steinberger GM
A conventional guitar-shaped version of the Steinberger system, which kept the innovative headless design in a more traditional aesthetic.
Steinberger Spirit
An affordable version of the original Steinberger design, bringing the headless concept to a wider audience with more economical materials.
Steinberger Synapse
A modern revision of the Steinberger concept under Gibson ownership, with a wood body and the TransTrem system inherited from the original models.