Can someone give a brief review of a headless bass?Does do anything to the sound or what are some good qualities of it or bad qaulities?
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Headless bass guitars
- Thread starter TheIrishOx
- Start date
I have a headless bass (which is currently on semi-permanent loan to a friend), a Washburn Status series 1000.
It's a decent bass. It's mostly made of wood (unlike many headless basses) although it does have a phenolic fretboard. 24 frets, EMG J-style pickups (I think someone must have ripped out the Status pickups before I bought it), thru-body maple neck, walnut top and I don't know about the wings. Plays good but needs a lot of truss rod adjustment with change of seasons.
But to be honest, headless basses can be as different as basses with heads.
In general there are good and bad things about headless:
Good:
- Shorter/easier to travel with (especially the ol' steiny)
- Some have unique sounds (especially the ol' steiny)
- Aesthetics (if you like the headless look)
- Tuning stability - mine stays in tune for months at a time...
Bad:
- Initially feels like you're gonna fall off the end (settles quickly)
- Aesthetics (if you're not into the headless look)
- Limited choice in strings (if you get one that only takes double ball end)
Steve
Steve
It's a decent bass. It's mostly made of wood (unlike many headless basses) although it does have a phenolic fretboard. 24 frets, EMG J-style pickups (I think someone must have ripped out the Status pickups before I bought it), thru-body maple neck, walnut top and I don't know about the wings. Plays good but needs a lot of truss rod adjustment with change of seasons.
But to be honest, headless basses can be as different as basses with heads.
In general there are good and bad things about headless:
Good:
- Shorter/easier to travel with (especially the ol' steiny)
- Some have unique sounds (especially the ol' steiny)
- Aesthetics (if you like the headless look)
- Tuning stability - mine stays in tune for months at a time...
Bad:
- Initially feels like you're gonna fall off the end (settles quickly)
- Aesthetics (if you're not into the headless look)
- Limited choice in strings (if you get one that only takes double ball end)
Steve
Steve
Considering the two "classic" headless basses (Steinberger and Status) were constructed largely or entirely of graphite, they certainly sound quite different from a conventional Fender-style bass. But that's down to the construction of the instrument...not being "headless" per se.
As far as I'm concerned, the advantages of headless basses are:
(1) quicker string changes
(2) improved tuning stability
(3) more compact instrument to lug around
(4) no tuning pegs to whack out of tune when moving around a tight stage
The disadvantages are:
(1) limited string selection. Some of my favorites are not available in double-ball
(2) must re-program your brain/hands to get used to lack of headstock
(3) goofy looks
As far as I'm concerned, the advantages of headless basses are:
(1) quicker string changes
(2) improved tuning stability
(3) more compact instrument to lug around
(4) no tuning pegs to whack out of tune when moving around a tight stage
The disadvantages are:
(1) limited string selection. Some of my favorites are not available in double-ball
(2) must re-program your brain/hands to get used to lack of headstock
(3) goofy looks
If I may add to the advantage list (5), the reason I went to the headless and never went back to the conventional... no neck dive!
Hi.
Regardless of where this topic belongs to, why the double post, typos and all???
Just my 0.02€
Sam
Regardless of where this topic belongs to, why the double post, typos and all???
Just my 0.02€
Sam
With the lower cost headless basses made primarily of wood (Cort, Hohner, etc.), if the neck happens to have a dead spot, it is usually farther up the neck than it would be if the bass had a headstock.
So instead of having a dead spot somewhere between Bb and D on the G string, it might have a dead spot somewhere around F.
So instead of having a dead spot somewhere between Bb and D on the G string, it might have a dead spot somewhere around F.
- Jun 19, 2004
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- Endorsing Artist, Schroeder Cabinets
The main reason I like 'em is the fact that they have NO neck dive. You can tilt them up like a classical guitar, and they stay there.
well i was trying to get two different point of views. One from a players standpoint and another from a luthiers view.
Some headless systems work with single ball strings.
Another disadvantage of headless guitars - not all guitar stands work like they should.
I have Steinberger Elite XL-2. I think the balance is unmatched, and having the boomerang shaped strap attachment that pivots through the basses center of gravity certainly makes it a great idea.
The headless design is great for rapid string changes. The number of strings available is limited though...I would really like a set of Dean Markley Blue Steels for it (and a set of those in 6 string regular). The only drawback I can find to the headless design, and one that has happened to me a couple of times (never giging), was when I was practicing very fast decending runs my hand slipped off the end of the neck
I wish more instruments had this design. I really like it. I wish I had the money to acquire a 5 string Steinberger (a real one).
The headless design is great for rapid string changes. The number of strings available is limited though...I would really like a set of Dean Markley Blue Steels for it (and a set of those in 6 string regular). The only drawback I can find to the headless design, and one that has happened to me a couple of times (never giging), was when I was practicing very fast decending runs my hand slipped off the end of the neck
I wish more instruments had this design. I really like it. I wish I had the money to acquire a 5 string Steinberger (a real one).
I was at the music store the other day just playing basses. I couldn't make myself even think about picking a headless up. I had this nagging feeling that I'd be embarassed if anyone saw me playing it. It's just so odd looking.
I think the plethora of perfectly balanced basses with headstocks pretty much killed the headless bass. They definitely had their place in time, but most modern bass designs aren't as neck-divey. I still wouldn't mind owning a headless again. I used to own a Kubicki that was a really fun bass.
A headless bass can use any string type if it's designed with a decent string anchoring system. In addition to the benefits listed above a headless bass usually has a finer tuning system with ratios around 40:1 instead 21:1 or so as with standard tuning machines. Also tuners such as the Steinberger type are less apt to go out of tune because it doesn't have big tuning ears that, if bumped against something or put in a case or gig bag, will set the tuning out of whack.
I had a Steinberger XM-2 and I LOVED the fact that it NEVER went out of tune. That was hands-down the lowest-maintenance bass I've ever owned.
My 9 year old and I were looking at some old photos and we came across several of me practicing with that bass. He looked at the pics, looked at me and said "Dad, WHY did you ever sell that bass-that was so cool!"
Once I got used to the lack of a headstock (which really didnt take very long at all), I had no issues with playability. As several other posters noted-you get zero neck dive!
My 9 year old and I were looking at some old photos and we came across several of me practicing with that bass. He looked at the pics, looked at me and said "Dad, WHY did you ever sell that bass-that was so cool!"
Once I got used to the lack of a headstock (which really didnt take very long at all), I had no issues with playability. As several other posters noted-you get zero neck dive!
I have a perpetual h***-on for quality headless basses, spec. fivers. I'm limited to just one now, a Status Stealth 5. Others i"ve owned:
*Kubicki
*PBC / Bunker 5's
*David King 5
*Steinberger 4 M
I'd like to try a Vinny 5 but they're tough to find on the used market. Each of the aforementioned models had its own particular quirks which I found bothersome.
Riis
*Kubicki
*PBC / Bunker 5's
*David King 5
*Steinberger 4 M
I'd like to try a Vinny 5 but they're tough to find on the used market. Each of the aforementioned models had its own particular quirks which I found bothersome.
Riis
I owned a Zon "Vinny" VB-4 headless bass (twice) and it was a fantastic bass. The phenowood fretboard negated any "sterile sounding" complaints re: the graphite neck, the Zon doesn't require double ball strings- you can use any regular string you like. The pre-amp and the pickups sounded fantastic. Handled well, sounded freakin' great. If I had the ability (read $$) I'd own one agan. Just can't afford everything I want 
i currently own two headless Zon VB4's, they are my favorite basses that i've owned, i fell in love with my first one so much that i bought a second one before i could realize how poor i am. i will be posting my brand new one in the for sale ads very soon, my family's gotta eat, i guess.
