Downsides/Cons of Headless Basses?

[Kzoo Detector]

I've owned several headless basses. Generally pretty cool. Very handy for travel. etc. However, you can't use a clip on headstock tuner. Another positive note if you are a smoker: very handy as a cigarette holder.

I use a clip on tuner all the time on my Sprit bass.

 

[Hummergeist]

I use a clip on tuner all the time on my Sprit bass.

I still have my Spirit guitar and can just about get the clip-on in place.

 

[supercolli]

Whenever headless basses come up in a discussion, I can’t help but mention Biarnel. I strongly recommend checking them out — they’re handcrafted by an Italian luthier, incredibly ergonomic, and they sound fantastic.


I hope this video gives you a good overview — and please forgive the playing!

 

[JLockerman]

Whenever headless basses come up in a discussion, I can’t help but mention Biarnel. I strongly recommend checking them out — they’re handcrafted by an Italian luthier, incredibly ergonomic, and they sound fantastic.


I hope this video gives you a good overview — and please forgive the playing!

Mind if I message you a bunch of questions about Biarnel?

 

[Michael Vee]

Whenever headless basses come up in a discussion, I can’t help but mention Biarnel. I strongly recommend checking them out — they’re handcrafted by an Italian luthier, incredibly ergonomic, and they sound fantastic.

Even after 26 years of owning headless (and headed!) basses, I had never heard of Biarnel. Thanks for mentioning them, supercolli.

 

[supercolli]

Hi @Michael Vee and @JLockerman, thanks for your interest.

Here are the specs for my Biarnel Scorcio: it weighs 3.3 kg and features a chambered roasted alder body, a striped ebony top, and an ebony fretboard. The neck is a multi-ply construction made of maple, makoré, maple, makoré, and roasted tiger maple.
It’s an active bass, but given the highly specific features of the preamp, I highly recommend reaching out directly to the luthier, Emanuele Nencioni. He always replies to emails (you can contact him at [email protected]), and I’d rather not risk giving you any inaccurate information.
When I ordered it back in 2024, there was a one-year wait from order to delivery, but I received constant photo updates throughout the entire build process.
All I can say is that it was absolutely worth the wait.

 

[Bikeguy57]

Since you asked...They look stupid? Add a single cut for maximum effect!

 

[ctmullins]

Since you asked...They look stupid? Add a single cut for maximum effect!

Ha!

Cretin.

 

[brianrost]

I use a clip on tuner all the time on my Sprit bass.

I actually had to get a new tuner when I started gigging my NS Radius. All the clip-ons I already owned had jaws that wouldn’t open up wide enough. I ended up buying a Korg AW-LT100B. Even that tuner won’t fit my L2, though.