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Great headless basses?

#21
I'm a big fan of headless basses, have now had NS, Ibanez, Steinberger, Kiesel, Kubicki, Sanox- One thing I've realized is that the designs that include a bit of a volute, and minimal area at the end of the neck were far more comfortable (for me) than an abrupt stub. Something to consider. Currently enjoying a new NS CR4 fretless, very impressive, forward thinking design and the build quality is 10/10. Worth looking into.
63527875863__0441BE1B-3655-42C5-8FE8-F3D1FC19234D 2.jpeg
 
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#22
Or, if you're into old, semi ok quality basses but definitely traditional and headless, the old cort headless precision basses are surprisingly good. But, very heavy plywood bodies are annoying, and I'm not a fan of their paint schemes. I own one. Definitely nice that it's headless, and a precision. Bad that it's heavy for no "good design" reason other than they used bad wood in a cheap sandwich manufacturing design. The bad wood doesn't adversely affect the tone - it's a great bass, great to play, great sounding. Just being brutally honest.


Yea, I still need to put a new tone knob on it...

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#23
The Hohner B series are outstanding basses. They are rock-solid, play great, go anywhere and do anything! And they won't break the bank!

I also love my Zon VB. It's the only lefty 4-string headless I could find with Jazz pickups. It has a carbon/composite neck, to boot!

Being a lefty, my options are limited, but if I was in your position, I would lean towards something carbon/composite. The Status Streamline would definitely be the one I would get, except I don't like humbuckers.
 
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#25
kittywithabanjo said:
Seems there are more and more options out there, The Maruszczyk basses are great for the price.

I had a custom headless built by a local luthier. using the ETS hardware that I got from Adrian at public peace.View attachment 4182431
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Wait...can you still buy the ETS hardware?? I greatly prefer the two piece bridge. That way you can use only the back piece and build a wooden bridge piece for the saddles. Makes me crazy that Hipshot doesn't do a two piece headless bridge.
 
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#30
superheavydeathmetal said:
The Hohner B series are outstanding basses. They are rock-solid, play great, go anywhere and do anything! And they won't break the bank!
Click to expand...

I was away from home for 4 months and borrowed a Hohner "The Jack" from a friend. It was a great bas and played wonderfully. I would consider buying one myself if not for the double-ball-end-strings.
 
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#33
Gotta add a pic of this one- if you can find one, buy it. Designed by Leduc, built by Sanox Japan, supposedly Matsumoku craftsmen. Early 90's. Has a radius body like the NS or a Spector, bridge like a Kubicki- kind of- but better IMHO, set neck, which is svelt and fast like an Ibanez, jazz spacing at the nut, very light weight. The old school Barts on these are something special, too. Wenge fingerboard, (weird choice for fretless), 26 positions on the treble side, 30 on the bass side and the scoop on the top for thumb and pluck. So comfortable, every aspect of the design. This bass has a very focused voice and is a joy to play. Being 30 years old and all original, I picked up the NS to use while this one goes away for some TLC.
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#35
D.A.R.K. said:
Gotta add a pic of this one- if you can find one, buy it. Designed by Leduc, built by Sanox Japan, supposedly Matsumoku craftsmen. Early 90's. Has a radius body like the NS or a Spector, bridge like a Kubicki- kind of- but better IMHO, set neck, which is svelt and fast like an Ibanez, jazz spacing at the nut, very light weight. The old school Barts on these are something special, too. Wenge fingerboard, (weird choice for fretless), 26 positions on the treble side, 30 on the bass side and the scoop on the top for thumb and pluck. So comfortable, every aspect of the design. This bass has a very focused voice and is a joy to play. Being 30 years old and all original, I picked up the NS to use while this one goes away for some TLC. View attachment 4182555
Click to expand...

Cool there are a few of those around these parts, I remember the ones that came here all had some sort of pre amp wiring issue that was a simple fix, but they are very nice basses.
 
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#38
kittywithabanjo said:
Cool there are a few of those around these parts, I remember the ones that came here all had some sort of pre amp wiring issue that was a simple fix, but they are very nice basses.
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I wonder what that issue is- the preamp is a bit noisy, passive is dead quiet. Very interesting preamp actually, quite good sounding with some rather extreme mid options vis internal trim pot. I figured the noise was due to being 30 years old, but maybe not?
 
#40
D.A.R.K. said:
I wonder what that issue is- the preamp is a bit noisy, passive is dead quiet. Very interesting preamp actually, quite good sounding with some rather extreme mid options vis internal trim pot. I figured the noise was due to being 30 years old, but maybe not?
Click to expand...

I keep thinking it was a grounding issue, I know 2 different guys that had 5 strings and they both had the same thing, wiring diagram was incorrect at the plant maybe.
 
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