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Show us your Martin Keith Basses

#1,321
HotelX said:
I might possibly be getting a headless MK in the not-too-distant future.

I'm wondering how easy it is to change the strings on the headless basses. I recently tried to change strings on an Ibanez headless and it was far too difficult for my taste. Are all headless basses that can use regular strings similarly difficult to restring? Or does high-quality hardware make it a much easier experience?
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I have two headlesses, a Zon and a Keith. Both use normal strings. The Keith is a bit easier to restring because the string ends at the nut are just snipped after being clamped, whereas with the Zon I have to measure carefully (if I snip too short, I'll waste strings), seat the ends, and then clamp them down.

I have no idea what's involved with your Ibanez or any other headless system. But IMO, restringing my headlesses isn't extraordinarily more difficult than headed. I believe that I've become accustomed to "normal" restringing after decades of practice with that exclusively. Headless is just new and different. The more I do it, the easier it gets.
 
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#1,322
Fuzzbass said:
IMO, restringing headless isn't more difficult than headed. Headless is just different. The more I do it, the easier it gets.
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Longtime headless Roscoe 5 user. Its Hipshot headless system has a restringing protocol to follow. One time through it and it's easy, thoughtful, and effective. Not touting it as superior, just a general comment in line with previous post. Some headless benefits: even notes along the neck; fits into guitar case for easy transport; holds tuning extremely well. Martin Keith's headless models are super nice. Keeping my eyes peeled : )
 
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#1,323
HotelX said:
I might possibly be getting a headless MK in the not-too-distant future.

I'm wondering how easy it is to change the strings on the headless basses. I recently tried to change strings on an Ibanez headless and it was far too difficult for my taste. Are all headless basses that can use regular strings similarly difficult to restring? Or does high-quality hardware make it a much easier experience?
Click to expand...
I can only speak to my experience with my headless from Martin. I was worried about changing strings, and I've had no issues at all. I've even been able to reinstall strings after taking them off
staccatogrowl said:
Headless

Longtime headless Roscoe 5 user. Its Hipshot bridge mechanism has a restringing protocol to follow. One time through it and its easy, thoughtful, and effective. Not touting it as superior, just a general comment in line with previous post. Some headless benefits: even notes along the neck; fits into guitar case for easy transport; holds tuning extremely well. Martin Keith's headless models are super nice. Keeping my eyes pealed : )
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I know that Martin uses the Hipshot bridge part, but not the head end part. He's been trying different things for headless end, and it sounds like he's found something that he's working on.
 
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#1,324
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#1,326
emjazz said:
I’ve been waiting to hear about this one :) Very different from your first one (that is also freaking gorgeous!). This seems like a really nice compliment to your first MK. Congrats, man!!
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Thank you! The new MK DEFINITELY compliments the Holly MK! The available tones and the feels are just different enough (in a GREAT way) to make these two basses a perfect pair to gig with!
 
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#1,328
The bros! Man... I am humbled looking at this picture. As a young player, I honestly didn't realize how far I would dive into playing the bass. I am no world touring bassist but I have come way further than I expected in the few years I have taken bass playing more serious. I'm grateful for where I am and what I have. Ok... I will stop being all mushy and present the picture haha.

AY7I7821.JPG
 
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#1,332
77stingray said:
@emjazz Is this yours?
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I wish! No..not mine. I do have the fretted 5 being made, but beyond another fretless 6 one day, I definitely am at the end of my custom bass journey. Tough to play anything else now that I've gotten used to the ergonomics of Martin's basses. I told him the other day how I can play his basses and completely forget about the bass itself...that's always been the goal. I'll always be a big supporter of his work.
 
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#1,333
emjazz said:
I wish! No..not mine. I do have the fretted 5 being made, but beyond another fretless 6 one day, I definitely am at the end of my custom bass journey. Tough to play anything else now that I've gotten used to the ergonomics of Martin's basses. I told him the other day how I can play his basses and completely forget about the bass itself...that's always been the goal. I'll always be a big supporter of his work.
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Hey there! I am the unbelievably lucky recipient of this incredible new bass. It’s absolutely amazing. Drove up yesterday to pick it up from Martin. It sounds and plays just as perfectly as it looks.
 
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#1,334
Docbass1218 said:
Hey there! I am the unbelievably lucky recipient of this incredible new bass. It’s absolutely amazing. Drove up yesterday to pick it up from Martin. It sounds and plays just as perfectly as it looks.
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Congratulations, Doc! An absolute stunner of a bass!!! Narrow spacing with a 33" scale is my favorite recipe. That must be an incredibly comfortable bass to play. Are you in NYC? I'm in Brooklyn. Feel free to stop by for an MK bass hang anytime!
 
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#1,339
trout fishing said:
One of these days, I'll have a Martin Keith bass. I was talking to him in the winter of 2025, but then T word happened (I'm in Canada). I had no idea what it meant for the CAD, USMCA or my job, so I bailed. I had my eyes on a short scale fretted version of this one:

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I got to play that one after it was made. Ramps/extended fingerboards aren't for me, but beyond that, it was outstanding. I wasn't convinced years ago on his body shape, until I played one. They just disappear in your hands. Really special.
 
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#1,340
emjazz said:
I got to play that one after it was made. Ramps/extended fingerboards aren't for me, but beyond that, it was outstanding. I wasn't convinced years ago on his body shape, until I played one. They just disappear in your hands. Really special.
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The body is the one thing that concerns me. How do I pick between Elfin, Elfin Plus and the mid-sized Elfin without trying one?
 
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