Grizzly_Diesel
New member
so ive been seeing more and more of these guitars without headstocks? personally it's not my cup of tea. whats the benefit, if any other than looks?
Headless Guitars?
- Thread starter Grizzly_Diesel
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Χάρης
New member
Re: Headless Guitars?
I disagree, the shape of the headstock does contribute to tuning stability/imbalance. I don't know what happens with guitars that don't have one though.
I disagree, the shape of the headstock does contribute to tuning stability/imbalance. I don't know what happens with guitars that don't have one though.
Hot Octopus
New member
Swampy
New member
Re: Headless Guitars?
I haven't played one, but to me I think it'd feel weird not to have a little of the lower headstock meat touching my lower index finger area, between the index and thumb, when playing around the first few frets. Like going into a good bend around the 2nd or 3rd fret on the b string. I think I'd feel as if my hand would slip off. Again, never picked one up, so all this may be in my head.
I haven't played one, but to me I think it'd feel weird not to have a little of the lower headstock meat touching my lower index finger area, between the index and thumb, when playing around the first few frets. Like going into a good bend around the 2nd or 3rd fret on the b string. I think I'd feel as if my hand would slip off. Again, never picked one up, so all this may be in my head.
Will S-T
New member
Re: Headless Guitars?
Played a few Steinbergers over the years but Crusty's custom takes the cake.
Haven't played it since he re-engineered the bridge but it was incredibly well
ballanced with a solid Honduran Mahogony body. I think he calls her Linda.
Hope he chimes in and posts some pics, stellar guitar.
Played a few Steinbergers over the years but Crusty's custom takes the cake.
Haven't played it since he re-engineered the bridge but it was incredibly well
ballanced with a solid Honduran Mahogony body. I think he calls her Linda.
Hope he chimes in and posts some pics, stellar guitar.
Re: Headless Guitars?
I have 2 Steinbergers, and the benefits are:
- better balance (the weight is all on one end, so no neck dive)
- 40:1 tuning ratio
- travels a lot easier (takes up less space)
- Ned Steinberger isn't a guitarist, but an engineer, so he approached the design with ergonomics in mind.
- you can change strings in seconds (they drop right in, and 2 turns later, they are in tune)
- you get used to playing them very quickly.
- most guitarists don't know what to make of them.
- the TransTrem is the best vibrato system on a guitar, ever. You can bend entire chords in tune, or transpose to 5 different tunings.
I have 2 Steinbergers, and the benefits are:
- better balance (the weight is all on one end, so no neck dive)
- 40:1 tuning ratio
- travels a lot easier (takes up less space)
- Ned Steinberger isn't a guitarist, but an engineer, so he approached the design with ergonomics in mind.
- you can change strings in seconds (they drop right in, and 2 turns later, they are in tune)
- you get used to playing them very quickly.
- most guitarists don't know what to make of them.
- the TransTrem is the best vibrato system on a guitar, ever. You can bend entire chords in tune, or transpose to 5 different tunings.
MkIII Renegade
New member
Re: Headless Guitars?
I've been thinking about getting a Carvin Kiesel headless lately. The only flaw, and it's a BIG one, is that they don't have a trem at all, just a fixed bridge with tuning keys. Although I don't use the trem to extremes, I do often use it for chord shimmers and occasional accents on notes for lead, so I'd hate to to miss out. EVH made extremely good use of the Steinberger TransTrem on the 5150 album (Get Up and Summer Nights). Love how you can change the pitch of entire chords in tune!
There is something very special about the feel of a headless guitar, and they can look very cool with a partial Strat body. I'll probably pick up a Kiesel after they finally add a TransTrem option. I've heard that open and fretted notes sounds very similar on a headless guitar, which is different also. Different is good.
One thing to consider with headless guitars (especially if they have the tiny square Steinberger body) is that they can look very odd on you if you are a big/tall guy. So you might want try one in person before buying if that matters at all to you. :blackeye:
I've been thinking about getting a Carvin Kiesel headless lately. The only flaw, and it's a BIG one, is that they don't have a trem at all, just a fixed bridge with tuning keys. Although I don't use the trem to extremes, I do often use it for chord shimmers and occasional accents on notes for lead, so I'd hate to to miss out. EVH made extremely good use of the Steinberger TransTrem on the 5150 album (Get Up and Summer Nights). Love how you can change the pitch of entire chords in tune!
There is something very special about the feel of a headless guitar, and they can look very cool with a partial Strat body. I'll probably pick up a Kiesel after they finally add a TransTrem option. I've heard that open and fretted notes sounds very similar on a headless guitar, which is different also. Different is good.
One thing to consider with headless guitars (especially if they have the tiny square Steinberger body) is that they can look very odd on you if you are a big/tall guy. So you might want try one in person before buying if that matters at all to you. :blackeye:
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Hot Octopus
New member
Re: Headless Guitars?
The Alan Holdsworth model that Keisel makes has a trem on it. I was that their factory store in San Diego in October and to my surprise, I liked the AH model the most. The Vader was ok- very compact.
The Alan Holdsworth model that Keisel makes has a trem on it. I was that their factory store in San Diego in October and to my surprise, I liked the AH model the most. The Vader was ok- very compact.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Headless Guitars?
@Mincer. Have you ever tried a Klein headless guitar? If so, how did it compare to the Steinberger L and M series?
@Mincer. Have you ever tried a Klein headless guitar? If so, how did it compare to the Steinberger L and M series?
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Headless Guitars?
Besides looking weird, the ones I've seen have the tuners very close to each other on the body, and are harder to work individually, at least if you have big hands.
Besides looking weird, the ones I've seen have the tuners very close to each other on the body, and are harder to work individually, at least if you have big hands.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Headless Guitars?
Not the world's biggest selling point. I've never broke off, or cracked, a headstock in my life, and almost all of the ones I've had, have had angled headstocks.
Not the world's biggest selling point. I've never broke off, or cracked, a headstock in my life, and almost all of the ones I've had, have had angled headstocks.
Re: Headless Guitars?
I have. It was $3500, and it was the Best Guitar I've Ever Played, hands down. You could put it on your knee and take your hands off and it just sat there. It sounded beautiful too. There weren't many made, so the prices stay high.
I have. It was $3500, and it was the Best Guitar I've Ever Played, hands down. You could put it on your knee and take your hands off and it just sat there. It sounded beautiful too. There weren't many made, so the prices stay high.
Re: Headless Guitars?
Yeah, the AH guitar's trem is really basic, and I am not sure why this couldn't be ported to the Vader body. I tried several AH guitars and Vaders, but didn't really like them- and they have no chance of developing a TransTrem, as I think Gibson owns the patent for it. BTW, Ned Steinberger is working on a new model, and NS Design guitar. It doesn't have a trem either, but has a piezo in the bridge. It sounded good, and looked like a ZT-3.
Yeah, the AH guitar's trem is really basic, and I am not sure why this couldn't be ported to the Vader body. I tried several AH guitars and Vaders, but didn't really like them- and they have no chance of developing a TransTrem, as I think Gibson owns the patent for it. BTW, Ned Steinberger is working on a new model, and NS Design guitar. It doesn't have a trem either, but has a piezo in the bridge. It sounded good, and looked like a ZT-3.
aleclee
Major General GAS
Re: Headless Guitars?
There are a couple of other advantages IMO
The Strandberg also flares at the top of the neck to offer a cue about where you are. I never had any issues with that on a Steinberger but it's there if you want it.
There are a couple of other advantages IMO
- You can have a lighter guitar without neck dive. My Strandberg is ~5lbs and balances perfectly.
- Different resonance with no headstock
The Strandberg also flares at the top of the neck to offer a cue about where you are. I never had any issues with that on a Steinberger but it's there if you want it.
aleclee
Major General GAS
Re: Headless Guitars?
Definitely not cheap but a Made To Measure Strandberg is not all that much more expensive than an off-the-shelf PRS with gold hardware and upgraded top. For a true custom shop instrument, it's not outrageous. The import models are kinda pricey given their country of origin but their wacky construction and low volume probably has a lot to do with that.
Definitely not cheap but a Made To Measure Strandberg is not all that much more expensive than an off-the-shelf PRS with gold hardware and upgraded top. For a true custom shop instrument, it's not outrageous. The import models are kinda pricey given their country of origin but their wacky construction and low volume probably has a lot to do with that.
Grizzly_Diesel
New member
Re: Headless Guitars?
I recently like the carvin keisel page on facebook and my newsfeed has been flooded with all there vader guitars and they look gorgeous. thats what got me interested in the headstockless guitars. there a hefty price for my budget. but if there worth it and a nice quality instrument i suppose it would be worth checking out.
I recently like the carvin keisel page on facebook and my newsfeed has been flooded with all there vader guitars and they look gorgeous. thats what got me interested in the headstockless guitars. there a hefty price for my budget. but if there worth it and a nice quality instrument i suppose it would be worth checking out.
Jackson Distortion
New member
Re: Headless Guitars?
But, does it djent?
But, does it djent?