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Custom Basses with Major Focus on Ergonomics

#21
I’ve had my eye on these lately.
They put headless hardware on a smaller headstock and yet it still looks like a cool, standard bass IMO. It’s like having a headless without the look. Finishes look cool too. Carbon fiber necks.

klosguitars.com

Apollo V Headless Custom Bass

+3 month build time from order placement KLŌS's all-new Carbon Fiber 5-String Bass. With a wooden body and carbon fiber neck, you’ll get an experience unlike any bass on the market. The consistent structure of the carbon neck allows you to tune less and play more. Every fret sings, reverberating...
klosguitars.com klosguitars.com
 
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#22
I don’t think headless is necessary for great ergonomics. I’ve had a Kubicki exfactor and played several headless basses, and none were more ergonomic for me than my fleet of Bordwell customs. All are super comfortable for my hands. Nut width, fretboard radius, fret size, rolled edges, body shapes, scale length, neck carves, all these affect ergonomics for me.

All of these are between 6.5 and 7 pounds and balance perfectly
IMG_1091.jpeg
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#25
MacaroniShrek said:
Mostly cool looks/mojo. There isn't one that I find really attractive.
Click to expand...
So if a luthier was to make an SR, but headless and with the finish you wanted, do you think that would work for you (it sure as heck would for me)? If it's close, may I suggest Nova hardware ( @Passini ) and a standard, common size for the pickup routs like the EMG35/40/45 so that you can easily swap out something later with a different tonal signature relatively easily and have as many options as possible; I would suggest this even if tyou want a P/J layout. If you're going to have a preamp, get something flexible, with as neutral a signature, ie it doesn't have a baked in tone. And SS frets - might as well so you don't need to get them replaced later.

Finish and aesthetic details you can go wild with.

Keisel do a couple of semi custom headless basses; maybe one of them suits you. They have lots of aesthetic and finish options.
www.kieselguitars.com

Bass Models

Kiesel Guitars offers a wide variety of bass models to suit your individual needs and aesthetics
www.kieselguitars.com
 
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#26
Years ago, I had a custom Mike Lull bass made just for me. I ended up choosing an off the shelf Lull 5 string and ordered some enhancements to it. I ended up regretting the decision, never bonded with the bass, and hated playing it. It was a $3200 mistake. I sold it at a loss. I did not do enough research and made a hasty decision.

The best advice I can give you is to hop on a plane and TRY OUT some basses. Bass Central in Florida is a great place to visit. I also suggest reaching out to bass builders around the globe and see if you can visit them. Or simply go to a store/place where a lot of their models are hanging around. Take notes and see what works for you. Finding a bass model that is CLOSE to what you want is a great way to go. Doing something custom from a "typical" model a builder does will likely turn out the way you expect. Or at least put your mind at ease for what you ordered.

One thing I focus on for ergonomics: I always look where the upper horn of the bass sits. Fender and many other basses have the edge of the horn around the 12th fret. Spector basses have the upper horn hitting around the 14th/15th fret. I like Spectors because my arms are long and having the bass further away from my left arm is REALLY comfortable for me. When I try to play a Fender or more traditional bass, I struggle horribly. It's really uncomfortable to me.

Bass Central

World famous bass guitar store specializing in high end and boutique instruments.
basscentral.com basscentral.com
 
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#27
MacaroniShrek said:
Hello, all!

I continue to procrastinate on one of my dreams to buy a custom bass...as I don't really know exactly what I want.

One thing I know that I want is a bass that has a great focus on ergonomics, which usually means headless.

Can anyone point me in a direction of a brand/builder that has a great focus on ergonomics?

For reference, Ibanez Soundgear ergonomics and headless work for me really well, and I like my basses super light.

Thank you!
Click to expand...
NS Designs.
 
#28
Of all the basses that I’ve played, the basses that Pete Skjold builds are probably the most ergonomic basses that I’ve come across.
I’ve only owned one, a 6 string, (also played a 5) but I was very impressed with the overall weight, balance and location of the nut and bridge based on ease of reach and comfort (when playing strapped up).
It’s kind of strange, but until I played one, I always thought they looked a bit off (disproportional in areas) when looking at pictures. But once I held and played one it felt great.

www.instagram.com

Peter W Skjold II (@skjolddesign) • Instagram photos and videos

30K Followers, 2,524 Following, 4,874 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Peter W Skjold II (@skjolddesign)
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com
 
#30
MacaroniShrek said:
Mostly cool looks/mojo. There isn't one that I find really attractive.

Also, to my knowledge, a lot of their upper end stuff has natural wood/open pour finish on the back of the neck, which grosses me out. I want a nice smooth satin maple neck.
Click to expand...
If they check other boxes, perhaps modifying an Ibanez would be best/cheapest. You can refinish and even reshape wood, but all with the knowledge the basic ergonomics will work for you.

If you want a similar style, but more premium bass, Strandberg does that.

But I’ll echo that a headless design is not necessary for ergonomics. The best playing bass I’ve held was a Carl Thompson. That was the first time I realized there’s something to the whole “boutique” thing.
 
#31
New this morning on BassTheWorld they have an unusual multi scale headless bass from a company that I've never heard of before today, Henrix, that looks interesting in a couple of different ways. Maybe this is what you were waiting for? So, I'll just drop the video here :)

 
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#32
Aric Bjorn said:
New this morning on BassTheWorld they have an unusual multi scale headless bass from a company that I've never heard of before today, Henrix, that looks interesting in a couple of different ways. Maybe this is what you were waiting for? So, I'll just drop the video here :)

Click to expand...

With some minor changes, and assuming I liked how it felt in my hands, that's, very close to how I'd spec a custom.
 
#34
That’s exciting to see a bass shipping with a filter based preamp as standard. I’m currently in love with filter based pres and tone controls and have several. That bass checks a lot of boxes for me too. Not enough to displaced my current basses, but I hope these take off.
 
#36
I Have a 5 string EHB1505MS with the fan frets, and enjoy the looks and the playability. I’d like the neck to be a smidge narrower, but it’s really okay. I never use the pre-amp and get the tone I want mostly from my Helix and the amp.

Pros:
- Fits in a guitar case - easier to get in my car with all the other stuff.
- No head dive - very well balanced on a strap.
- Very playable once I adjusted the action.
- Maintains tune very well.

Cons:
- No way to hang it on a stand or wall hanger.
- Tuners at the bridge a bit harder to turn than normal headstock ones.
 
#37
Aric Bjorn said:
New this morning on BassTheWorld they have an unusual multi scale headless bass from a company that I've never heard of before today, Henrix, that looks interesting in a couple of different ways. Maybe this is what you were waiting for? So, I'll just drop the video here :)

Click to expand...


That's the best design I've seen yet for how to deal with the cut ends of the strings on a headless bass.
 
#38
I can recommend the Sandberg Panther Special. Not a very common bass so I took a chance and ordered a custom one a few years ago. It's the most comfortable of all the many basses I've had. Offset body, 35" but feels shorter, light weight and balances perfectly . Super comfortable for my right arm too with the scoop in it


IMG_0165.jpeg
 
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