MTD Headless

[singlemalt]

When I first got into Dingwall basses, I thought I would be limited in string choice, but as time went on I found more and more options.

(Have you seen the solution Sheldon came up with for the headless Effigy? Super cool cam lock that hides the cut ends, and a magnetic "flipper" system that lets the bass hang in a stand or hanger!)

The video where the guy marks and then clips the strings on his Ibanez EHB was a great idea. I was attracted to the EHB's because I could use pretty much any string, and any old sets, and clip the string after clamping. The way the video does it looks acceptably clean, at least to me. I figured I could try any used set, but used sets, and roll my own sets at different tunings, without the worry of breaking the silk ends or unthreading strings through bridges or thru body basses. And I probably would have just clipped the ends after clamping, and put a fret wrap over the sticky sharp bits.

I'd try that method, and if it works for you, that means string selection is wide open. And that makes it easy to do string changes. I usual have a set of TI jazz flats and a set of light, nickel, round wounds for a bass. DR Pure Blues VW set up almost exactly like the TIJF, no fiddling required between the two sets. String change between the two sets, if they have already been on the bass, about 5 minutes.

So, if you can let go of double end string as the only solution, I see a huge advantage in string selections.


It's a lovely bass, I would give it time and try lots o strings.

Good luck!

 

[Oatybass]

When I first got into Dingwall basses, I thought I would be limited in string choice, but as time went on I found more and more options.

(Have you seen the solution Sheldon came up with for the headless Effigy? Super cool cam lock that hides the cut ends, and a magnetic "flipper" system that lets the bass hang in a stand or hanger!)

The video where the guy marks and then clips the strings on his Ibanez EHB was a great idea. I was attracted to the EHB's because I could use pretty much any string, and any old sets, and clip the string after clamping. The way the video does it looks acceptably clean, at least to me. I figured I could try any used set, but used sets, and roll my own sets at different tunings, without the worry of breaking the silk ends or unthreading strings through bridges or thru body basses. And I probably would have just clipped the ends after clamping, and put a fret wrap over the sticky sharp bits.

I'd try that method, and if it works for you, that means string selection is wide open. And that makes it easy to do string changes. I usual have a set of TI jazz flats and a set of light, nickel, round wounds for a bass. DR Pure Blues VW set up almost exactly like the TIJF, no fiddling required between the two sets. String change between the two sets, if they have already been on the bass, about 5 minutes.

So, if you can let go of double end string as the only solution, I see a huge advantage in string selections.


It's a lovely bass, I would give it time and try lots o strings.

Good luck!

I didn't know I could wrap the ends. Good idea. What do you use to wrap the cut off fret end? BTW I love TI Jazz Flats, they are an under recognised string.

 

[singlemalt]

Sorry, I meant I would just put a Gruv gear fret wrap, those cloth muting things over the whole assembly to keep the pokey bits from snagging a gig bag. I had a few from the six string bass days.

FretWraps String Muters (1-Pack)

I never thought of doing the mark and then cut, then clamp method. On my Zon, the sharp bits left after clipping bugged me. Zon had a different method where the string went through the end of the neck, was clamped and clipped off behind. The string then did a 90 degree bend over the nut. So the sharp bits stuck out of the back of the "headstock" and were nasty. There were plenty of other reasons I never bonded with that bass. No truss rod was the main reason I moved it on.


I never did end up buying an EHB, it was just a long flirtation.

The MTD's were on my list, but I haven't owned one. They are beautiful builds.

 

[Oatybass]

Sorry, I meant I would just put a Gruv gear fret wrap, those cloth muting things over the whole assembly to keep the pokey bits from snagging a gig bag. I had a few from the six string bass days.

FretWraps String Muters (1-Pack)

I never thought of doing the mark and then cut, then clamp method. On my Zon, the sharp bits left after clipping bugged me. Zon had a different method where the string went through the end of the neck, was clamped and clipped off behind. The string then did a 90 degree bend over the nut. So the sharp bits stuck out of the back of the "headstock" and were nasty. There were plenty of other reasons I never bonded with that bass. No truss rod was the main reason I moved it on.


I never did end up buying an EHB, it was just a long flirtation.

The MTD's were on my list, but I haven't owned one. They are beautiful builds.

Cool, yes I know the fret wrap. Thx.