Dead spot as in a particular note/frequency sounding dull and decaying faster. String volume difference is probably an entirely different issue.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Headless Club???
- Thread starter Headless Llama
- Start date
-
- Tags
- club
Hey everyone! My name is Blake and I am the arranger and music director of an 80s pop cover band, and we're shooting a video in late January. I know this is a long shot, but I'm hoping to find a good Samaritan who is willing to lend me an 80s bass to use as a prop for the shoot. Details can be found here. To anyone taking the time to take a look, I really appreciate it! 
80s video shoot prop hunt!
80s video shoot prop hunt!
Well after a 3 month hiatus due to work family crisis, progress has finally resumed… I’m not setting any dates, as I’ve learned my lesson that I don’t truly have control of my free time apparently 
but I’m feeling pretty good about seeing the path to completion for these two, as explained in my failed summer build off thread 
They will both be under 7lbs!
but I’m feeling pretty good about seeing the path to completion for these two, as explained in my failed summer build off thread They will both be under 7lbs!
Edit: I get in my own way sometimes.
(also, cool basses up here ^ )
(also, cool basses up here ^ )
Last edited:
NBD:
The Frame Servant 5-string meets its "new" (1993) Master 6-string...
The Frame Servant 5-string meets its "new" (1993) Master 6-string...
Love my 3 Shawn May custom medium-scale headless basses!
I didn’t like how it sounded. I sold it and got a schecter. I like most of the sounds and have a bass for the bits this one won’t do anyway. And… I’m not a big fan of the colorway so if I mess things up I can just spray paint over it and not care too much.
Process:
See which bridge will be easiest to adapt.
Make a router template.
Route!
Chisel out the remaining bits.
Spray paint.
Set up bridge like the one I’m taking out (string heights and theoretical intonation).
String it up using headless bridge and head tuners [I will do this step in half an hour.]
Decide on which nut and string holder will be easiest to adapt.
Chop the freaking head off!!!
I went with the NOVA for the bridge - I only needed to route in 3/32 or so to get things to line up. The ALP might have worked (with routing) but I wasn’t happy with how anything else fit.
I think I’m just going to use a block for outboard of the nut. It’s all I have for this setup with the right spacing.
Before starting work we have the donor bass:
Some bridge choices:
More bridge choices:
String end choices:
I am probably going with one of the blocks in the middle, on the bottom of the picture. The spacing on the nuts (almost all of the other hardware pictured).
Routed, masked and painting black (the old bridge was wider than the NOVA).
I’ll play it this way a while until I decide how much extra neck I need before I chop the head off.
Edit: the important it is headless and it still sounds fine.
Last edited:
I just finished up my first headless build. The log is here.
It's a 36" scale, neck through fiver using Nova hardware. Despite the knobs, it's currently wired vvt with a couple dummy pots to fill the empty holes. The preamp I ordered came broken. I wired it up like a Jazz temporarily and now I'm not about to change how this thing sounds. I used GM "noiseless" rails for pickups. The neck is curly maple with an epoxy filled, shellaced fretboard. The wings are a sandwich of curly maple, walnut, curly cherry, and hard maple burl on the back.
It's a 36" scale, neck through fiver using Nova hardware. Despite the knobs, it's currently wired vvt with a couple dummy pots to fill the empty holes. The preamp I ordered came broken. I wired it up like a Jazz temporarily and now I'm not about to change how this thing sounds. I used GM "noiseless" rails for pickups. The neck is curly maple with an epoxy filled, shellaced fretboard. The wings are a sandwich of curly maple, walnut, curly cherry, and hard maple burl on the back.
Last edited:
That is a beast at 36”.
Nice work!
And headless! Anyone wanna buy a head???
This one turned out better than the last one and I have the perfect bag for it - one that might just barely squeeze into my trunk.
This one turned out better than the last one and I have the perfect bag for it - one that might just barely squeeze into my trunk.
I’ve been hoping Ibanez would release a headless 6 without the fanned frets…still hoping!
The one in the middle looks great!!
But what are those other 2 oddballs on each side??
No pricing yet but I am seeing headless Sire-USA basses on their website! I didn't know they were getting into the game as well...
sire-usa.com
Search: 20 results found for "headless"
Sire is the home of Marcus Miller and Larry Carlton signature guitars. Born from players. Crafted for players.
sire-usa.com
There’s some good pics in the NAMM thread tooNo pricing yet but I am seeing headless Sire-USA basses on their website! I didn't know they were getting into the game as well...
Search: 20 results found for "headless"
Sire is the home of Marcus Miller and Larry Carlton signature guitars. Born from players. Crafted for players.
