STEINBERGER ZT3

After reading some of the low-down for Steinberger’s ZT-3 Custom Series guitar from several message forums and various blogs, we decided to run on over to Steinberger’s website to have a peak for ourselves. What we found was quit interesting, to say the least.

“Since the introduction of the first Steinberger instruments in 1980, the Steinberger name has become synonymous with evolution, innovation, ergonomics and performance.“

In January of 2008, Steinberger presented the ZT-3 at NAMM.

“Continuing that tradition, Steinberger announces the new ZT3™ guitar with the revolutionary new version of the TransTrem™ transposing tremolo system.”

Have a look at the video link on the ZT-3 page to see the TransTrem™ in action. The innovation of this guitar doesn’t stop there, read on:

“ As it was with the introduction of the first Steinberger’s equipped with the original TransTrem, the new ZT3 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.

But the ZT3 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™ 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 combinations. By using a push/pull switch on both the volume and the tone controls, you can use the ZT3’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 include a gorgeous flame maple top, zero-fret for improved intonation, the new Steinberger Combo headpiece to allow for the use of DoubleBall™ 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 gig bag, 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.”

The Steinberger ZT-3 is available in 3 Flame Top finishes; TransRed, TransBlack and TransBlue colors. The price is about $1600 including a Deluxe Gig bag, now that isn’t bad for such a beautiful and innovated instrument.

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