Calgary musician writes biography of one of the most influential musical instrument designers alive

A Calgary musician and author has written the biography of one of the most influential musical instrument designers alive.

American Ned Steinberger has been said to have revolutionized the sound of '80s music. His headless electric bass, the "Steinberger,"has been played by the likes of Sting andthe Rolling Stones and was even featured on John Lennon's Double Fantasy album.

The biography of his journey, Steinberger: A Story of Creativity and Design,was written by CalgarianJim Reilly.

Reilly toldThe Homestretch that he connected withSteinberger15 years ago while doing promotional work in the music industry.

• Check out the Steinberger GLT 2 guitarin Eddie Van Halen'sSummer Nightsvideo below!

"The more I got to know him just as a person and his story, the more I just kind of put it in my back pocket that someday I'd like to writethat book, to tell that story," he said.

Around five years ago, that goalled to hours of conversations between Steinberger and his network.

"It's a fun music story and it'sfun to talk tothese big rock stars and such, but I really wanted to dive down kind of behind that," he said.

"So it's also kind of exploring that relationship between the builder, the player and then the music."

Reilly explains that Steinberger's background was particularlycompelling since he started out as a woodworker, not a musician.

"This Steinberger basswas his first design. So he didn't start out as an instrument maker and kind of had a very interesting, serendipitous way into that world," he said.

"He approached it from comfort and ergonomics and sort of looking at what really was essential to make an instrument comfortable and playable and engaging with the musician."

The instrument became instantly popular, which Reilly says helped define the 1980s video era.

"He comes up with this with this new instrument, this new design that's immediately eye-catching and visually engaging," he said.

"They really became sort of the go-toinstruments for the time."

Steinberger's instrumentsare still in high demand today. Hehasshifted to makingelectric bowed instruments, basses and guitars.

"They haven't reached the kind of iconic status of the Steinberger instruments, but they're still being played by the top playersin the field," Reilly said.

Reilly's book, Steinberger:A Story of Creativity and Design,is available online and in stores.

With files fromThe Homestretch.