Converting an EB-3 to a headless bass...how and how much will it change the tone?

Won't know until you do it, then it's too late. It will certainly change any dead spots, possibly add some. Also keep in mind the truss rod extends into the headstock.

 

Top of the neck where it enters the headstock is the most vulnerable point on vast majority of Gibson guitars as well as on any designs related to them..

I wouldn't be one bit surprised if the neck started splitting once the headstock gets chopped off. Not to mention that I'd be concerned about the stability of the neck joint - which is the real Achilles' heel of this particular design - once you complete the conversion.

My $0.02: don't do it. There are many fine headless basses around, and not all of them are prohibitively expensive.

 

I can't say with absolute certainty that it would, but that portion of the neck is hollowed out to begin with. Had you ever seen a Gibby with a busted headstock before it got repaired you'd understand what I'm talking about. A nice amount of wood was removed during production in order to accommodate the truss rod placement to begin with.

But hey, it's your bass. I've done stuff in my younger years that some folks on this forum would crucify me for...

Good luck.

 

Gonna have to respectfully disagree with ajkulla66, the headstock breaks i have seen are along the grain and caused by the leverage of the angled headstock across the grain.
I think it would be stronger. But i really am guessing too.
I really like your idea and would love to see it if you do it. It sure would be a commitment.
EBs rule.

 

Taking weight off the headstock (what a headless does) will shift the dead spot on your G string up a few frets. That may (or may not) make it less of an issue. In addition, the headless basses I've played often gain a dead spot low on the A string (sometimes the open A string). I find dead spots in that area very annoying.

 

you could probably get away from possible neck splits by epoxying the exposed tip but yoinking that headstock is like cutting off the cutaway horns, it's part of that bass' identity. don't do it! then again, if you promise to update us post honeymoon, especially if it all goes South on you, then I'll say go for it cos we need to know the end results for... let's just say future reference.

 

Headless basses have shorter lengths of string beyond the nut, which i expect will improve tone a little because the string is less 'stretchy' and more solidly anchored.

 

Well, it will probably cure the dreaded neck dive. Probably cause a bunch of other problems, though.....and kiss your resale value goodbye. Why don't you just sell it to someone who appreciates it and buy a headless?

 

If it's a Gibson 65-6-7 EB-3 I say you're committing a felony by cutting it up. If it's an Epiphone do what you want...but I wouldn't.

 

You'd have to find/buy/design some sort of end plate, to cap the end of the neck and anchor the strings. Then you'll need to find/buy/design some sort of bridge with tuners which will fix into the body.

When you've spent double the value of the bass on those bits you'll have halved the value of the bass and who knows what it will sound like when you're done. Of all the mods I've heard of, this is not the best!!!

 

Have you looked for headless tuners? This one seems spendy...

4 String Bass Headless

(Hipshot @ $210)

 

Do you want to go headless because of neck dive, an issue which can be easily solved for $15 or so?

 

I think your idea is awesome. I hope I get to see it on here someday.

 

Personally, I'm curious on what type of the bridge you end up with.

 

I have no helpful advice about tone or dead spots. But...
I believe it's $165 shipped for Nova's headless system. The man behind the product is here at TB (@Passini). (@Jisch) over in Luthier's Corner seems to really like them.