Great headless basses?

[ShawnG]

I’m pretty much a FSO P&J-type guy, but have a Traveler TB-4P bass that I really enjoy playing around the house and in hotels during my travels.
One of the things I’ve grown to like about the Traveller is it’s headless design, I just don’t miss the big headstock’s effect on strap balance and I enjoy the “freedom of movement” I gain not worrying about the occasional knock on something as I move about without the extended headstock.
It’s got me wondering re: what options are out there for a more “traditional”-type bass in a headless design? I know Keisel makes some nice headless basses and Ibanez has its headless, fanned-fret option (not exactly traditional). Who else offers (offered, used is good) well-made headless designs?

 

[lug]

FYI, the Ibanez is also available in non fan-fret form.

 

[Bass Viking]

NS Design.

 

[Bob_Ross]

ACG

 

[dje31]

Bacchus make a pretty cool Jazz bass that's headless. Wouldn't think it would work, but it actually looks sharp, to my eye, at least.

Try this link: Link Removed

or this: Bacchus WL4HL AC Black Oil FREE SHIPPING | Bass Japan Direct | Reverb

Disclaimer: not affiliated in any way with Bacchus Guitars, though I really want a Woodline 417, which is not headless.

 

[mikeswals]

Status Graphite

 

[Wanker_Joe]

I would also like to echo the NS Designs suggestion. Their headless basses are fantastic!

 

[spade2you]

Status and ACG come to mind, BUT don't discount luthiers who can simply utilize Hipshot hardware. The only downside of Hipshot is that the hardware is heavier than a conventional bridge and tuners. The upside is a more compact instrument.

 

[Lesfunk]

Status Graphite
Best in the biz IMO

 

[ShawnG]

ACG

I’ve never heard of ACG before. Will have to do a little research. Thx!

 

[chuck1073]

Strandberg is a newer name. A guitarist that I work with has one of them. Crazy asymmetrical neck profile and insanely light!

 

[Danny O Danny]

+1 for NS Design. Their Radius bass comes in three models at different price points (WAV, NXT, CR). Fantastic instruments.
NS Design RADIUS Bass Guitar by Ned Steinberger | Brilliant Innovative

There is a Swiss company called Tribe has has some interesting headless basses that, I think, are made somewhere in Asia: https://www.tribeguitars.store/headless-series

 

[Gormsgade]

Lefay from Germany

Probably one of the most overlooked high end luthiers in my opinion. You don`t pay for a name (yet) but world class performance and craftmanship.

https://www.lefay.de/index.php/DE/bassmodelle/herr-schwarz-headless

PANGTON ::



https://www.lefay.de/index.php/DE/bassmodelle/pangton

 

[emjazz]

A good friend has two headless basses from Stambaugh and they are both incredible.

The luthier that I prefer, my good friend Martin Keith, has a headless design coming up. That's who will be getting my headless bass monies.

 

[SteveC]

I think the Roscoe headless is pretty nice looking.

 

[BluesWalker]

Tom Clement, Clement Basses, makes a lot of headless basses using the hipshot head piece. All of his basses are made to order from his available designs.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

You can make a Kiesel Thanos look sorta classic if you pick the right finish / hardware options. It still has a funny upper horn, but if you can get past that, it's likely the most bang for your buck.

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[bcbassman]

I love my traditional L2 Steinberger bass but they are as rare as hen's teeth.
I sure like mine.

 

[Killing Floor]

Kubicki ExFactor! Greatest bass of all time headless or not. Especially if you slap or tap.

 

[Todd Hamby]