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Looking for a new headless bass - Any recommendations?

Cran

Cran

Oct 24, 2018
257
484
Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa
luca.garciaferrari.com
#1
As mentioned in the title, I'm looking for a new bass, and I'm looking at making it a headless.

Now, I already own a Hohner B2, and honestly I'm tired of the paddle or shovel shaped headless basses. I'm looking for a bass with a normal body, but no headstock.
So, I've sort of gathered a "list of requirements" which I'd like for my new bass to meet, and maybe you guys have some recommendations for me. Just to clarify, I've looked at headlesses for a while, so I know the big names. Bonus points for models I don't know about ;).

Anyway, here's the list:
- 5 string (Multiscale would be nice, but 35" is the next best thing)
- Light (Would be appreciated)
- Active (With a passive switch preferrably)
- Soapbars or a humbucker in the bridge and a split coil in the neck

Now, ideally a bass would have all of them (While also looking awesome and sounding equally as good, but nothing's perfect in life :P), but I'm willing to compromise if that's necessary. If my searches have shown me anything it's that having all of those requirements also comes with a price tag heavier than the bass itself.

Which leads me to my budget. It may not seem like much, but I can probably afford to pay about $2000 USD on it. This is because I live in New Zealand and we pay for things using chocolate coins. Hopefully that's understandable.

So, hit me with it! Show me your previously unseen headless basses! Enlighten me!
(I'm also open to buying used, but right now I don't have the money on me so I'm just doing some more research. This might mean that while there's a great deal right now, I may not be able to get it immediately. Still good to know though!)
 
#3
mikewalker said:
For usd 2000 you might be able to get a used Status Streamline 5. I think it would tick all your boxes...
Click to expand...
I've looked at the Streamline series from Status, but honestly I don't particularly like the body shape. I'm tired of the tiny headless body, if that's a good way to put it, haha. I'm looking for something with a more standard-shaped body.
 
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#6
Cran said:
I've looked at the Streamline series from Status, but honestly I don't particularly like the body shape. I'm tired of the tiny headless body, if that's a good way to put it, haha. I'm looking for something with a more standard-shaped body.
Click to expand...

Washburn Status
There has been a few in NZ

Some guy was selling custom headless 5's on TM last year
Where in NZ are you? I don't get the chocolate coins thing
 
#13
Cran said:
As mentioned in the title, I'm looking for a new bass, and I'm looking at making it a headless.

Now, I already own a Hohner B2, and honestly I'm tired of the paddle or shovel shaped headless basses. I'm looking for a bass with a normal body, but no headstock.
So, I've sort of gathered a "list of requirements" which I'd like for my new bass to meet, and maybe you guys have some recommendations for me. Just to clarify, I've looked at headlesses for a while, so I know the big names. Bonus points for models I don't know about ;).

Anyway, here's the list:
- 5 string (Multiscale would be nice, but 35" is the next best thing)
- Light (Would be appreciated)
- Active (With a passive switch preferrably)
- Soapbars or a humbucker in the bridge and a split coil in the neck

Now, ideally a bass would have all of them (While also looking awesome and sounding equally as good, but nothing's perfect in life :p), but I'm willing to compromise if that's necessary. If my searches have shown me anything it's that having all of those requirements also comes with a price tag heavier than the bass itself.

Which leads me to my budget. It may not seem like much, but I can probably afford to pay about $2000 USD on it. This is because I live in New Zealand and we pay for things using chocolate coins. Hopefully that's understandable.

So, hit me with it! Show me your previously unseen headless basses! Enlighten me!
(I'm also open to buying used, but right now I don't have the money on me so I'm just doing some more research. This might mean that while there's a great deal right now, I may not be able to get it immediately. Still good to know though!)
Click to expand...
Only bass I know of that checks all boxes is Kiesel.
4AB1E636-1C5B-45F1-9BA6-686145B3A829.png


I’d be willing to bet a Strandberg would be more light weight but it’s about 50% over budget.
082C8608-BE1B-43E9-AD1F-A3208E0B2C61.png
 
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#14
Kiesel will do the single coil and Musicman humbucker on the Zeus bass if you call.

So that’s:

Multi scale
Full bodied
J/MM
Active with passive pull pot
Use alder wood for no upcharge and light weight
Should be under $2K unless you go options crazy.

Seems like about it.
 
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#15
nonohmic said:
Yah multi scale headless kiesel. The Zeus I think it's called.
Click to expand...

Another mention for Keisel.
There’s a gunmetal grey Keisel 5’er (not the multiscale model, I think it’s the Vader, this one spec’d with a Birdseye fretboard) in Rocky’s pawn here in Palm Desert for like $800 IIRC. It’s pretty cool but headless isn’t my thing. (I’m always looking for pawnshop finds...but have a zero batting average)
 
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