X = Bass
G = Guitar
Steinberger Model Definitions
Instrument types
Steinberger USA molded graphite series
L = Original, all one piece molded carbon graphite and fiberglass body "boat oar" or "paddle" design. This is the traditionally recognized Steinberger body style. Guitar and bass.
Steinberger USA bolt-on neck series
P = Entry level graphite neck / wood bodied model. Small arrow shaped body, also called a "mini-V". Shortest lived of all models as it was hard for them to produce at the reduced price. Has recently been reintroduced by MusicYo in an all wood Spirit version. Guitar and bass.
M = Traditional strat-style wood body / graphite neck combo inspired by Mike Rutherford of Genesis. Original ones had contrasting outer body binding (black w/ white binding, white w/ black, red w/ white). Gibson later dropped the binding but added options for upgraded figured tops and translucent finishes, mostly on guitars. Guitar and bass.
R = Lower end strat-style w/ wood body / graphite neck. Similar to and often confused with the M. Featured less costly R-Trem bridge and only solid color bodies. Guitar only.
K = Collaboration between Ned Steinberger and Steve Klein, featuring the Klein designed ergonomic body with Steinberger neck and hardware. Roughly 300 GK's were made though Klein Electric Guitars continues to sell these instruments directly. Guitar only.
Q = Contemporary full-sized wood body introduced in 1990. The original basses went by the Q4 moniker (or Q5 for the wide 5 string). A redesigned body was introduced in the mid 90's and sold as the XQ. All are now referred to as XQ's with either a v1 (Q4) or v2 body. Bass only.
S = Short lived strat-style with headstock model. Featured the revolutionary Steinberger designed Gearless Tuners. Guitar only.
M = Traditional strat-style wood body / graphite neck combo inspired by Mike Rutherford of Genesis. Original ones had contrasting outer body binding (black w/ white binding, white w/ black, red w/ white). Gibson later dropped the binding but added options for upgraded figured tops and translucent finishes, mostly on guitars. Guitar and bass.
R = Lower end strat-style w/ wood body / graphite neck. Similar to and often confused with the M. Featured less costly R-Trem bridge and only solid color bodies. Guitar only.
K = Collaboration between Ned Steinberger and Steve Klein, featuring the Klein designed ergonomic body with Steinberger neck and hardware. Roughly 300 GK's were made though Klein Electric Guitars continues to sell these instruments directly. Guitar only.
Q = Contemporary full-sized wood body introduced in 1990. The original basses went by the Q4 moniker (or Q5 for the wide 5 string). A redesigned body was introduced in the mid 90's and sold as the XQ. All are now referred to as XQ's with either a v1 (Q4) or v2 body. Bass only.
S = Short lived strat-style with headstock model. Featured the revolutionary Steinberger designed Gearless Tuners. Guitar only.
Pickup Configurations
1 = Single humbucker pickup. For bass this was offered on early L's, (not the later XL's) and was recently reintroduced on the new Synapse basses. Guitar and bass.
2 = Two humbucking pickups on guitar. On bass indicates dual humbucking or dual soap bar pickups. Guitar and bass.
3 = On guitars indicates 3 single coil pickups. On bass, indicates P-J pickup configuration. Only known to exist on several Newburgh bound XM3's and one XQ3 bass. Guitar and bass.
4 = Single (neck) - single - hum (bridge). Guitar only.
5 = Single (neck) - hum (bridge). Single coil is angled. Guitar only.
6 = Single (neck) - hum (bridge). Single coil not angled. Guitar only.
7 = Hum - single - hum. Guitar only.
8 = Three humbuckers. Very rare factory configuration; only seen on a couple of guitars and one XL bass. Guitar and bass.
* There may be other configurations out there but are custom, and as such do not have an official number designation.
2 = Two humbucking pickups on guitar. On bass indicates dual humbucking or dual soap bar pickups. Guitar and bass.
3 = On guitars indicates 3 single coil pickups. On bass, indicates P-J pickup configuration. Only known to exist on several Newburgh bound XM3's and one XQ3 bass. Guitar and bass.
4 = Single (neck) - single - hum (bridge). Guitar only.
5 = Single (neck) - hum (bridge). Single coil is angled. Guitar only.
6 = Single (neck) - hum (bridge). Single coil not angled. Guitar only.
7 = Hum - single - hum. Guitar only.
8 = Three humbuckers. Very rare factory configuration; only seen on a couple of guitars and one XL bass. Guitar and bass.
* There may be other configurations out there but are custom, and as such do not have an official number designation.