Headless neck ?

[redboy1975]

So I've had a couple successful builds and have decided I want a Headless 6 string bass . Unfortunately I've never played one I also have never seen one in person or know anyone who has one . SO my question is in regards to the truss rod . Is it a regular truss rod , does anything change with its location , does it matter which end you adjust it from , is it even needed in a headless ? Some specs are : 35" scale , neck thru , 33-36 frets , single pickup , active electronics
Padauk , Walnut and maple . Thanks

 

[Dane Armstrong]

Truss rods are a must on a 6 string. I would strongly recommend two dual action. Adjusting at the top or bottom doesn't really make a difference, though, with a headless, adjusting at the head end would probably come with access issues.

 

[redboy1975]

Hey thanks for the reply . I'm kinda in the dark on this one so I need as much help as I can get . I didn't figure on two truss rods but ok , if that's what it needs .

 

[reverendrally]

Dual action = the truss rod adjusts both forwards and backwards. That's just ONE trussrod. You can put two trussrods in if you like, but I've built 2 six strings now and neither required 2 trussrods. As long as the neck timber/structure is good, one trussrod is enough.

As far as what to do with the trussrod? You can have it adjust at either end. The nut or the body end. I prefer the nut end myself, but the other end is probably fine.

See if you can have a look at some sort of headless instrument. It doesn't have to be a 6 string. Heck, buy a cheap headless 4 string. Copy the bits that you like and change the bits that don't work. Then sell it once your 6 string is finished.

BTW, make sure you get decent bridge. With regular tuners, you can get away with Chinese tuners, but with a headless bridge, the chinese stuff can be really awful and they don't make 6 string bridges. I'm about to do this and I'm using an ETS bridge. Cheaper than the ABM stuff and they'll make it whatever spacing you like. Personally I favor narrow spacing.

 

[Bassmanmike1]

I just built a headless five. I made this headpiece myself out of brass. Easy trussrod access. On a six I would use two rods.
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The full build thread is here. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.244848312305919.1073741833.119889761468442&type=3

 

[redboy1975]

Thanks for the replies . I've talked to a dozen or so people on this topic over the last few days and most of them say two dual action truss rods are better than a single dual action with CF rods on a 6 string .
I think I'd rather adjust the rod from the body side though . Nothing is final yet though I'm still putting a plan together on paper .I AM about to start lamination the neck and I have the body wood also just need some hardware and some time and we're off . Nice to have people to bounce things off of , thanks

 

[Geoff St. Germaine]

My opinion is that two dual actions rods on a 6 string is unnecessary, but you won't really mess anything up using two, so it doesn't matter too much.

Body or head end adjustment is really personal preference and I'd go with whatever is easier with your design.

 

[bgmww]

Take a look at the basses built by Daniel Fernández. I've played a 6 string headless built by him and it was amazing !

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[redboy1975]

I own a Daniel Fernandez 5 string that I picked up at The Low End and is an amazing instrument , I'm sure his headless is just as good . But that is the look I'm after at the headstock . I really don't want a big chunk of brass , maybe I'll use some of the design elements in Daniel Fernandez headless . Looks killer .