I have this idea of buying a used Ibanez Mikro and having it converted to headless to have an even shorter bass. Is it feasible? What are the possible pitfalls with this?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Converting headed to headless: feasibility? Pitfalls?
- Thread starter Temcat
- Start date
That's a really cool idea. The only thing I can think of is the truss rod and the scarf joint (if there is one).
You'd have to leave enough headstock for truss rod adjustment and so the rod doesn't get in the way of anchoring the A and D strings.
I can't really see the scarf joint being a major problem unless you put a cap on the headstock that exerts force on it in a weird way. Like putting a screw into the glue joint.
There may be some calculations to be done on the other end as far as how much travel will be needed in the tuning mechanism for a given scale length and string gauge, but that's for someone who knows more about that.
You'd have to leave enough headstock for truss rod adjustment and so the rod doesn't get in the way of anchoring the A and D strings.
I can't really see the scarf joint being a major problem unless you put a cap on the headstock that exerts force on it in a weird way. Like putting a screw into the glue joint.
There may be some calculations to be done on the other end as far as how much travel will be needed in the tuning mechanism for a given scale length and string gauge, but that's for someone who knows more about that.
Hi.
While I wouldn't do that to a new instrument, for a one with a broken headstock it makes much more sense.
To me anyway.
These days the headless hardware is widely available and cheap, so nothing prevents You from trying though.
Good luck, and please do post progress pics.
Regards
Sam
While I wouldn't do that to a new instrument, for a one with a broken headstock it makes much more sense.
To me anyway.
These days the headless hardware is widely available and cheap, so nothing prevents You from trying though.
Good luck, and please do post progress pics.
Regards
Sam
I'm glad that I'm not the only one thinking bout doing this. The thing would be super tiny and small enough to stick in a back pack for trips and commuting.
I was just looking for information about string spacing to see if it would be feasible. Hardware is pretty cheap, too.
If I did this, I'd probably also do some body shaping to make it look like a mini Kubicki or chop it like a Steinberger to make it even smaller.
I was just looking for information about string spacing to see if it would be feasible. Hardware is pretty cheap, too.
If I did this, I'd probably also do some body shaping to make it look like a mini Kubicki or chop it like a Steinberger to make it even smaller.
