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Nordstrand Headless bass :D

#63
Here you go. Best I got at the moment.
 

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#65
spade2you said:
So, in your experience with this vs. your standard basses, is there much of a difference in sound?
Click to expand...

That is a huge question. So far, my perception is that the headless is a bit more modern sounding. Less organic than a Nordy. But it's still very rich and full. I guess you could say it's less empty than a Nordy.

But it's very close in the general arena of bass tones. The pickups and their placement are similar and this is a big factor.

I put the bulk of the difference to the bridge and the shorter scale. The bridge seems to simplify the tone by absorbing less string energy than it would on a Nordy. I'd suspect that the same bridge on each style of bass would yield a much closer result.

And the scale makes the sound thicker and fuller.

That's all I got so far. It takes me a while to really get a handle on tone as I try to listen and play often and with as open a mind as possible.
 
#67
I just wanted to say that I really like that bass, from looks alone. I always liked headless basses though I only own one (Westone the Rail). Bass players are fairly conservative, and even Fender prototyped a headless but then they deemed it too "crazy" for the general bassist foreseeing small sales potential.

Maybe then, a traditional looking bass albeit a headless makes more sense than some of the more exotic looking competitors? You tell me.

Btw Carey, the Status headless basses with 32" scale with a "Bendwell" has the logo where you have it, before the first fret :) And keep up the creative work, I admire that.
 
#69
azzyrazzy said:
I just wanted to say that I really like that bass, from looks alone. I always liked headless basses though I only own one (Westone the Rail). Bass players are fairly conservative, and even Fender prototyped a headless but then they deemed it too "crazy" for the general bassist foreseeing small sales potential.

Maybe then, a traditional looking bass albeit a headless makes more sense than some of the more exotic looking competitors? You tell me.

Btw Carey, the Status headless basses with 32" scale with a "Bendwell" has the logo where you have it, before the first fret :) And keep up the creative work, I admire that.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That is a similar idea. It looks like it's past the nut. I wonder if my friend saw that, forgot it, and then unconsciously "came up with" the idea. He's a big Mark King fan so it's totally possible.
 
#71
IMO, HUGE round of applause Carey for doing this! I think it looks fantastic...almost like the logical evolution of the NJ design. Quite frankly, I'm sick to death of seeing Fender clones everywhere, and think basses (and guitars honestly) really should be progressing beyond that design. I'll always have a Fender in the stable, but it only comes out at gigs where I figure people might pass judgement (not that I care, but why bother having the conversation at this point).

I especially like the subtle details that make the bass unique: the logo on the first fret, the front-loaded truss with bi-colored fingerboard, and even the staggered pole-pieces. As a previous NJ owner, I can honestly say that this style literally MELTS into your body...hands down the most comfortable bass from an ergonomics perspective I've ever felt.

I have a couple questions: Is that a stock bridge, or was it custom-machined? Also, does this design require a double-balled string?

Anyway, very cool bass, congrats Carey. I hope this makes it to production!
 
#72
Aram said:
IMO, HUGE round of applause Carey for doing this! I think it looks fantastic...almost like the logical evolution of the NJ design. Quite frankly, I'm sick to death of seeing Fender clones everywhere, and think basses (and guitars honestly) really should be progressing beyond that design. I'll always have a Fender in the stable, but it only comes out at gigs where I figure people might pass judgement (not that I care, but why bother having the conversation at this point).

I especially like the subtle details that make the bass unique: the logo on the first fret, the front-loaded truss with bi-colored fingerboard, and even the staggered pole-pieces. As a previous NJ owner, I can honestly say that this style literally MELTS into your body...hands down the most comfortable bass from an ergonomics perspective I've ever felt.

I have a couple questions: Is that a stock bridge, or was it custom-machined? Also, does this design require a double-balled string?

Anyway, very cool bass, congrats Carey. I hope this makes it to production!
Click to expand...

Thanks Aram!

It's a stock Hipshot headless setup. It uses single ball end on this bass, but on a 34" scale bass it can use either as there are slots for the second ball end on the head piece.
 
#73
Carey said:
That is a huge question. So far, my perception is that the headless is a bit more modern sounding. Less organic than a Nordy. But it's still very rich and full. I guess you could say it's less empty than a Nordy.

But it's very close in the general arena of bass tones. The pickups and their placement are similar and this is a big factor.

I put the bulk of the difference to the bridge and the shorter scale. The bridge seems to simplify the tone by absorbing less string energy than it would on a Nordy. I'd suspect that the same bridge on each style of bass would yield a much closer result.

And the scale makes the sound thicker and fuller.

That's all I got so far. It takes me a while to really get a handle on tone as I try to listen and play often and with as open a mind as possible.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I didn't know it was a different scale length. I would think that these would be much closer to your normal guitars (factoring in the different bridge) if all other specs were equal. Steinberger, Status, and Kubicki had a bit of a "sound" mostly due to the electronics packages and graphite necks (on the 'Berger and Status). The idea that headless basses have "a sound" isn't always true, IMHO.

That being said, I have a Steinberger guitar and it definitely has "a sound" due to the EMGs and graphite neck. With a wood neck and different pickups, I'd like to think it wouldn't be so different sounding.
 
#74
Hey Carey.

I've been a huge fan of your pickups for sometime.

I unfortunately have never really got a chance to play one of your fine basses. But, as with your pickups, I know they will be of the highest quality.

I have been looking at headless basses for sometime now and your design looks fabulous. Headless basses are very unique and do offer the player a lot of east in travel and IMO don't sound all that different from a 'regular' bass.

Great to see you coming up with something new and all the best!!
 
#75
When I first saw a picture of this I didn't dig it....my eyes are starting to adjust though and I think it looks great. As for Carey's new ideas with this one, I've always appreciated Carey's mind and what comes about instrument wise from it. Well done Carey and good luck with the new bass. Great work. I'm sure it plays like a dream.
 
#77
Carey said:
That is a huge question. So far, my perception is that the headless is a bit more modern sounding. Less organic than a Nordy. But it's still very rich and full. I guess you could say it's less empty than a Nordy.

But it's very close in the general arena of bass tones. The pickups and their placement are similar and this is a big factor.

I put the bulk of the difference to the bridge and the shorter scale. The bridge seems to simplify the tone by absorbing less string energy than it would on a Nordy. I'd suspect that the same bridge on each style of bass would yield a much closer result.

And the scale makes the sound thicker and fuller.

That's all I got so far. It takes me a while to really get a handle on tone as I try to listen and play often and with as open a mind as possible.
Click to expand...

Do you think that having (or not having) the mass of a headstock would affect the tons in any way?

I'm also curious about that scale length. Fodera's got a couple if 33" basses, but I *think* they're tuned E-C. You seem to have split the diff between a 34 and those 33s. What made you decide on the scale you've used for this axe?
 
#79
I like it too. I owned 4 PBC headless basses (3 5-strings and a 6-string) back in the 90's. They were a joy to play and real attention getters (except for the constant "hey, man, what happened to your bass? Did the top break off? Ha, ha, ha.").

Anyway, I'm intrigued and would love to try one. I may end up diverting the proceeds I'm putting into a NYC-built Fender-style bass fund into a NJ5HL fund.
 
#80
roadkill2309 said:
Do you think that having (or not having) the mass of a headstock would affect the tons in any way?

I'm also curious about that scale length. Fodera's got a couple if 33" basses, but I *think* they're tuned E-C. You seem to have split the diff between a 34 and those 33s. What made you decide on the scale you've used for this axe?
Click to expand...

I have an early custom bass I made for myself that I did 33.5" on. I love the way it plays and sounds so I thought why not try that here as well. I really like the result. I did some 33" scales too, but I thought the B got a little loose on those.

Basically, I like how fat the 33.5" sounds and it's really easy to play. And I a big fan of easy to play since I don't play much bass these days.
 

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