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The only Steinberger I've seen that's older than mine.  A VERY rare L-1 (single pickup) with the EMG "molded" pickup.

How were these graphite instruments manufactured?

The first step is creating a model (commonly called a key or plug) carved into the shape of the instrument. From this one master molds are made. Several were made for each L series instrument, and 8 to 12 for each neck. 

A composite gel coat (what you see as the "paint") is sprayed into the mold first, up to 1/8" thick in places. 

This is followed by laying in layers of carbon fiber cloth, shreds of Kevlar, and then filling in the voids with resin. Then, hardware (like neck or bridge bolt inserts) is set in the mold. 

Then the unfinished phenolic fretboard is glued onto the top of the neck.. 

The mold is then sealed, vacuum bagged, injected with resins, and heated. 

Once fully cured the instrument is removed from the bag, then flashing (overrun of resin) is trimmed and ground off.  The body is sanded and buffed.  The neck is then fretted, the faceplate bolted on, strings installed and the instrument is set up.  Then it gets sent to a music store, and hopefully they'll pay you for it :) 

I could not have done this series without the resources of Steinberger World, MusicYo, Ed Roman Guitars, and the best, Steinberger Freaks.

Steinberger Japan catalog.

XQ (series 1) bass, with the DB tuner.  A gorgeous shade of blue.  I frankly prefer this body shape to the series 2 basses.

A VERY rare, factory yellow Steinberger.  97% of the L/XL series basses were black.

The Q (series 2) bass.  Notice how "slimmed down" the body is compared to the series 1 instrument.

You may well ask what this giant steel straw is sticking out of the ass end of this instrument.  It's the arm of the bass version of Steinberger's Trans-Trem tremolo.  Only 200 of the bass Trans-Trems were made.

A close-up view of the Trans-Trem. 

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