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Conversion to headless bass?!
- Thread starter dave-chaulk
- Start date
Kits, no, and a Steinberger bridge wouldn't do it. ABG makes single-string tuner-bridges (like a single-string Steinberger tuner), you could do it with that. I think the head would be diagonal or perhaps in sections (like a Kubicki), otherwise you need a long body to accomodate e.g. a 37" scale on the low end.
Back to the OP's question, has anyone converted, say, a Fender Jazz to headless.
I have done one so far, and the thing I don't like is the tuners stick out past the body so when you put the bass down, it rests on the tuners. Most headless basses have a little extra real estate behind the bridge to sort of protect it. There are some tuner/bridges that are two pieces, so I'm going to tyr one of those. Thinking I can angle the tuner section to have less linear length. What I'm going for is a headless Jazz style bass that REALLY feels and sounds like a 60's Fender Jazz. When you start moving things around, you lose the Jazz feel ad balance. But this is something I'm going to throw a little money at and at least make myself a neat bass.
I have done one so far, and the thing I don't like is the tuners stick out past the body so when you put the bass down, it rests on the tuners. Most headless basses have a little extra real estate behind the bridge to sort of protect it. There are some tuner/bridges that are two pieces, so I'm going to tyr one of those. Thinking I can angle the tuner section to have less linear length. What I'm going for is a headless Jazz style bass that REALLY feels and sounds like a 60's Fender Jazz. When you start moving things around, you lose the Jazz feel ad balance. But this is something I'm going to throw a little money at and at least make myself a neat bass.
A headless Fender jazz can certainly be made - with or without headstock.
Without headstock.
So you want to chop off the h/s.... OK. Rickett points out how the truss-rod gets in the way if it is positioned at the H/S. If it does, you have to leave enough headstock to fit the headpiece.
The only type of headpiece that will fit is the Hipshot or Steinberger type and they both accept normal strings. Since it will be positioned further away from the nut, you won't be able to use double ball end strings.
But you have to figure out how to deal with the h/p and h/s angles. You'll see from pictures that those are fitted at an angle very different from that of a Fender headstock - or what will be left of it. I can't offer a solution here. It looks like a bit of a nightmare.
The bridge. DavidCertain makes a sensible point about tuners sticking out of the body not being desirable. I say, that's the best way to defeat one of the headless main reason to exist - tuning reliability. Plain silly. (IMHO
)
You are better off carving the body to achieve some sort of protection for the tuners and space for your fingers to tune. Remember to make sure bridge and neck alignment is OK.
Lastly, I think you need to ponder over the more... shall we say? philosophical side of the whole thing The bass you're working on wasn't designed as a headless. Both ergonomics and looks will be (badly) affected. Good design solves both practical and aesthetic problems with inspired simplicity ( i-pod anyone?). Poor design doesn't.
I have seen decapitated Fender Jazz and from a pure designer's point of view their looked unresolved and amateurish at best.... IMVVHO Not a surprise you don't see them around.
Of course you have to like it and I say, if you do then go right ahead. Just make sure you do like it.
The other option you've got is to leave the headstock and convert it to a string retainer function. It can be done. At the least, I've done it...er...just about to finish it (hey, Rickett, thank you for remembering that!).
To my eye it is a pleasing solution which harmonizes all the best of a headless system with the gusty, timeless look of a Fender jazz. I had to make my own string anchors together with many other mods. If you like you'll find it in this forum - look for 'Building the Über-Jay'.
Lastly, after having played live both headless and traditional basses for years, I recently wrote my thoughts on this controversial matter on my blog. You're welcome to take a look if you like >>here.
long winded certainly....but I hope this helps. ciao
Without headstock.
So you want to chop off the h/s.... OK. Rickett points out how the truss-rod gets in the way if it is positioned at the H/S. If it does, you have to leave enough headstock to fit the headpiece.
The only type of headpiece that will fit is the Hipshot or Steinberger type and they both accept normal strings. Since it will be positioned further away from the nut, you won't be able to use double ball end strings.
But you have to figure out how to deal with the h/p and h/s angles. You'll see from pictures that those are fitted at an angle very different from that of a Fender headstock - or what will be left of it. I can't offer a solution here. It looks like a bit of a nightmare.
The bridge. DavidCertain makes a sensible point about tuners sticking out of the body not being desirable. I say, that's the best way to defeat one of the headless main reason to exist - tuning reliability. Plain silly. (IMHO
)You are better off carving the body to achieve some sort of protection for the tuners and space for your fingers to tune. Remember to make sure bridge and neck alignment is OK.
Lastly, I think you need to ponder over the more... shall we say? philosophical side of the whole thing
The bass you're working on wasn't designed as a headless. Both ergonomics and looks will be (badly) affected. Good design solves both practical and aesthetic problems with inspired simplicity ( i-pod anyone?). Poor design doesn't.I have seen decapitated Fender Jazz and from a pure designer's point of view their looked unresolved and amateurish at best.... IMVVHO
Not a surprise you don't see them around.Of course you have to like it and I say, if you do then go right ahead. Just make sure you do like it.
The other option you've got is to leave the headstock and convert it to a string retainer function. It can be done. At the least, I've done it...er...just about to finish it
(hey, Rickett, thank you for remembering that!). To my eye it is a pleasing solution which harmonizes all the best of a headless system with the gusty, timeless look of a Fender jazz. I had to make my own string anchors together with many other mods. If you like you'll find it in this forum - look for 'Building the Über-Jay'.
Lastly, after having played live both headless and traditional basses for years, I recently wrote my thoughts on this controversial matter on my blog. You're welcome to take a look if you like >>here.
long winded certainly....but I hope this helps. ciao
I'd like to have a partial headstock with a way to lock single ball strings. It's important we use any strings we want.
I guess my biggest problem right now is trying to find drawings of the various products out there. I'm especially interested in the ABM and the HipShot. I've seen HipShot's drawing for its bridge and it seems like it's the smaller one. But I haven't seen drawings of ABM. There's an import at AllParts.com but absolutely no information. I already know the ABM single string units are too long to deal with. The tuner can come off the body a little. but I'd like to keep it less then and inch or 3/4 of an inch as I think I can make a shroud/double endpin concoction.
Mizio, I read your rant, but the complaint I have about headless basses is none of them feel like a Fender. I want mine to replicate the real deal feel. It may not look like a Jazz but it's going to feel like one. But if anyone can point me into the direction of some schematics for ABM's, I'd appreciate it.
I guess my biggest problem right now is trying to find drawings of the various products out there. I'm especially interested in the ABM and the HipShot. I've seen HipShot's drawing for its bridge and it seems like it's the smaller one. But I haven't seen drawings of ABM. There's an import at AllParts.com but absolutely no information. I already know the ABM single string units are too long to deal with. The tuner can come off the body a little. but I'd like to keep it less then and inch or 3/4 of an inch as I think I can make a shroud/double endpin concoction.
Mizio, I read your rant, but the complaint I have about headless basses is none of them feel like a Fender. I want mine to replicate the real deal feel. It may not look like a Jazz but it's going to feel like one. But if anyone can point me into the direction of some schematics for ABM's, I'd appreciate it.
ops.....there's something else I forgot to mention... a headpiece works with a zero fret - which should fall exactly where the nut is. Not a nice one I'm afraid........
DavidCertain, I must have seen the tech drawings of the ABM headpiece somewhere online....I probably still have it. if you like I'll PM you. never seen one of the bridge though. But you can write to them. I bought their bridge recently and they were very helpful and kind.
DavidCertain, I must have seen the tech drawings of the ABM headpiece somewhere online....I probably still have it. if you like I'll PM you. never seen one of the bridge though. But you can write to them. I bought their bridge recently and they were very helpful and kind.
i just saw this thread, i am sure you guys are probably familiar with this but thought i would post it,
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[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
BUMP!!
I’ve got an old OLP 5 string bass I want to try this with!! Could be fun and seems very doable even for a novice like me. If I mess it up it’s no big deal as this bass has been sitting in my closet for a few years now doing nothing.
I’ve got an old OLP 5 string bass I want to try this with!! Could be fun and seems very doable even for a novice like me. If I mess it up it’s no big deal as this bass has been sitting in my closet for a few years now doing nothing.
