Anyone surprised by the return of headless popularity?

[Snert]

Anyone surprised by the return of headless popularity?

No, because my all time favourite basses are headless and I've owned one since the mid 80's.

For me, headless has nothing to do with fashion, and everything to do with ergonomics. Far better balance, far more stable tuning, decreased overall weight (especially when using the aluminum Nova hardware) and better manageability on a cramped stage are big wins for me.

Agreed.

You'll know headless has truly arrived when a model is made by Fender.

Fender has it's head so far up it's own traditionalist butt, it will never do anything new or interesting, not because it can't, but because it's customer base won't allow them to be successful, as they're not what Leo designed.

I confess the only reason I don't play headless is my head being stuck in traditional aesthetic.

Ditto to my last point.

 

[gregunit]

Technically speaking, Hipshot's system is heavier than an equivalent bridge+tuners. I knew this when I ordered the Cliff Bordwell bass. The priority size. I picked Hipshot since they should hopefully be around for the long haul. Steinberger and Kubicki (RIP) make it much more difficult to source parts in the next 20-30 years.

Hipshot is an excellent system. The weight is on the body and not the head. Better balance - no neck dive. They need some serious competition to bring the price down!!!!

 

[gregunit]

Two problems I have with headless:
1. I hang my instruments on the wall. How do you hang a headless?
2. You can't tune whilst plucking or picking the string. I tune for both attach and sustain.

 

[ardgedee]

Fender has it's head so far up it's own traditionalist butt, it will never do anything new or interesting, not because it can't, but because it's customer base won't allow them to be successful, as they're not what Leo designed.

Fender's decided that their own-brand products are going to adhere to a particular mostly-traditional esthetic.

Fender also owns Guild, Jackson, Tacoma, Charvel, Hamer, and Takamine, among others. If Fender's going to ship a headless guitar, it doesn't have to be under the Fender brand.

There were a few years when Fender was manufacturing Kubicki basses, so they already have a history making them.

 

[ctmullins]

Two problems I have with headless:
1. I hang my instruments on the wall. How do you hang a headless?
2. You can't tune whilst plucking or picking the string. I tune for both attach and sustain.

1. This is what I came up with: a Fender style strap button (which are fairly lousy for holding straps), and a hardware store D-ring.

2. You can’t pluck an open string with your fretting hand?

 

[Snert]

There were a few years when Fender was manufacturing Kubicki basses, so they already have a history making them.

And that was about 40ya and they've done nothing that strays more than minimally from the traditionalist idea, even in terms of aesthetics, no matter what brand they own. It's not them for the most part, but the customer base and their expectations.

Fraught car analogy; mention Hyundai and most people think affordable, nice but bland, good value vehicles. Now drive a Genesis. It's a great car by any standard, but because the market is conditioned to expect luxury cars to have a MB, BMW etc badge, they have trouble selling them. Even rebranding like Infiniti and Lexus did still doesn't get you the same market reach or cache, no mater how good they are.

The only negative I've had with my XL2, in any way, was one comment by a moron at a gig who made the obvious lame '80's want's their bass back' joke. The response, I can't post.

 

[badinage]

I had a Kramer Duke for a while and remember it being not to my liking, but I don't think it was because it was headless.

I traded it away at a "Musicians' Yard Sale" that used to happen periodically in the parking lot (mostly) of a local bar. Now THERE'S something I wish would come back... (The musicians' swap-meet thing.)

 

[IamGroot]

Anyone surprised by the return of headless popularity?

I thought it died out after the French Revolution.

 

[Core Creek]

I think headless guitars are having a long deserved renaissance. I’ve tried headless basses and guitars from the 80’s and 90’s and they kind of sucked. Mind you… all budget stuff. I now own two Kiesel headless guitars and a Kiesel headless bass and they have features I just couldn’t get back then, like tung oiled necks, stainless steel frets, and a trem system that’s both easy to use and stays in tune. They may no longer be revolutionary, but updates and tweaks on today’s headless instruments are evolutionary.

 

[ardgedee]

Two problems I have with headless:
1. I hang my instruments on the wall. How do you hang a headless?

Ibanez adds enough flare to the top of theirs that it should work in various types of hangers.

 

[Killing Floor]

Anyone surprised by the return of headless popularity?

I thought it died out after the French Revolution.

Yes!!!

 

[fishdreams]

They are super practical to travel with in that you can have a 32 or 33 scale headless that fits any overhead bin and you won't have to take it apart to travel stress-free with it.

 

[Snert]

They are super practical to travel with in that you can have a 32 or 33 scale headless that fits any overhead bin and you won't have to take it apart to travel stress-free with it.

My 34" Steinie does too.

 

[mrjim123]

Hmm. Really, I don't see headless basses anywhere.

 

[bassGtar]

But what about neck float?!!

You’ve got to be careful or you could get a head injury.

I’m surprised there aren’t more headless options in broader price ranges.

 

[J Wilson]

No. Everything that was once popular and went away comes 'round again. Instruments are fashion if nothing else.

If someone had told me LP's would come roaring back, well, I guess I still would have used them as skeet shooting targets (I NEVER wanted the scratchy, skippy things back after CD's), but I could have held on to them to sell for big money to unsuspecting young hipsters.

PS: The old thick, heavy 78's explode way better than 70's vinyl . . . .

 

[Bass Man Dan]

My .02 on headless basses:
+ lighter weight
+ no neck dive
+ stay in tune much better (IME)

- looks are a bit....different
- string choices are a bit more limited

 

[BrassedOn]

My number two is a Hohner steinbergee licenced copy, original electronics are P/J so versatile. I find it handy for rehearsals, outdoor gigs, etc. especially since a couple of incidents at rehearsals with my Fender P.

also this

 

[shriekback]

I've never understood the association, evident in so many posts here, of Steinbergers and other headless basses with an '80s aesthetic. It seems no more warranted than regarding Fender basses as hopelessly reflecting their origins in the '50s and '60s, complete with matching suits and greasy flat tops.

Here's Tim Commerford rocking a Steinberger with Future User in 2015. It looks aesthetically appropriate to me!

 

[Snert]

Here's Tim Commorford rocking a Steinberger with Future User in 2015.

Good track and video. Thanks.