Renowned instrument maker and biographer discuss new book

Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
April 20, 2020

By David Sands

Although Ned Steinberger isn’t a musician himself, he’s had a profound impact on the music world. The renowned instrument maker blew people’s minds in the 1980s with his unique “headless” bass and guitar design, which proved popular with many of the era’s leading rock musicians like David Bowie, Sting, Eddie Van Halen and Geddy Lee. Later after selling his original company to Gibson, Steinberger launched NS Design, a new manufacturing firm which has  focused on applying his unique insights to electric classical instruments like the violin and upright bass, as well as the bass guitar.

The intriguing story of the instrument maker’s life and craft is now being chronicled in a new biography, Steinberger: A Story Of Creativity And Design. It’s written by journalist and musician Jim Reilly, who also wrote a fictional novella called The Bass Player.

FBPO’s Jon Liebman spoke with both Steinberger and Reilly earlier this year at the 2020 Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, California. Together they discussed the book, Steinberger’s journey and what the future might hold for the acclaimed instrument maker.

Watch our interview with Ned and Jim!

Steinberger: A Story Of Creativity And Design is available in the FBPO store.

See Jon’s blog, with key takeaways from this interview, here.