Headless Guitars (2024)
Check out: Top 8 Best Headless Guitars (2024)
Here is an overview of some prominent headless guitar makers and the models they currently have available on the market. If you wish to see specific models we recommend for this year, please check out the blue link above. Have any questions or comments? Feel free to reach out to us here: Contact
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Kiesel Custom Guitars
(Osiris, Zeus, Vader, Delos, Zeus 8-string multiscale, Tim Miller Signature, Devin Townsend Neo, Lightspeed, Thanos, Type-X)
Of all the high-end headless guitar brands, Kiesel offers the most variety in terms of body shapes and designs that we’ve seen on the market. And to add to that, they are a custom shop, so the amount of options that you get to work with are almost seemingly endless. There are currently seventeen different electric headless models as well as one acoustic. Five are available in both 6 and 7-string versions and six in 6, 7, and 8-string versions. Multiscale (fanned frets) is an option for many of them as well. Kiesel boasts their highly stable necks thanks to the two-way adjustable truss rod combined with the reinforcing dual carbon-fiber rods that come standard in all their guitars. Luminescent Luminlay side dots for great visibility in the dark come standard on every instrument as well.
Strings: 6/ 7/ 8
Scale length: 24.75″/ 25.5″/ Multiscale 25.5 – 26.5″ (6), 25.5 – 27″ (7), 26 – 27.5″ (8-string)
Frets: 22/ 24/ 27 (Neo Circle) / 32 (Neo Om)
Fretboard radius: 14″/ 20″
Bridge: Fixed/ Tremolo
Pickups: Humbucker/ Single-coil
Configuration: HH/ SSH/ SSS
Neck construction: Bolt-on/ Neck-through
Body: Solid/ Chambered
To learn more and customize your instrument, head over to: kieselguitars.com
Strandberg Guitars
(Boden: Fusion, Standard, Classic, Standard 7-string, Standard 8-string, Essential, J Artisan, J Artisan, Sälen: Classic, Jazz)
When Ola Strandberg set out to design and build his ideal guitar back in 2007, his goal was to create a truly ergonomic instrument— an instrument that’s comfortable to play for hours on end. The result was a light guitar with a comfortable body shape and a unique, patented neck shape, the “EndurNeck,” which has since gained many fans around the world. They offer 6, 7, and 8-string models, all of which are multiscale except for the Essential model. Strandberg is also the only company to make a True Temperament headless guitar. Luminescent Luminlay side dots are standard on all their necks. The Boden and Sälen lineup consist of truly magnificent instruments worth checking out.
Strings: 6/ 7/ 8
Scale length: 25.5″ (Boden Essential only)/ Multiscale 25 – 25.5″ (6), 25.5 – 26.25″ (7), 26.5 – 28″ (8-string)
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: 20″
Bridge: Fixed/ Tremolo
Pickups: Humbucker/ Single-coil
Configuration: HH/ HSH/ SSH/ SS
Neck construction: Bolt-on/ Neck-through
Body: Solid/ Chambered
To learn more, head over to: strandbergguitars.com
Ibanez
(Q52, Q54, QX52, QX54QM, QX527PB)
Since Ibanez debuted their headless basses, the EHB series, back in 2020, there has been much anticipation for a guitar counterpart. The Ibanez name has for decades been synonymous with quality— so the Q (Quest) series comes as a much welcomed addition to the headless guitar domain. The lineup consists of the 6-string models: Q52, Q52PE (“PE” – Pale Moon Ebony top), Q52PB (“PB” – Poplar Burl top), Q54, and the QX52, QX54QM (“QM” – Quilted Maple top), which are their 6-string models with slanted frets. Note that they are not multiscale, as the nut and bridge are slanted at the same angle and the 25.5″ scale length is consistent for each string. Lastly, the 7-string models consists of the Q547, as well as the slanted fret version, QX527PB (“PB” – Poplar Burl top) and QX527PE (“PE” – Pale Moon Ebony top).
Strings: 6/ 7
Scale length: 25.5″
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: 12″/ 20″
Bridge: Fixed
Pickups: Humbucker/ Single-coil
Configuration: HH/ HSS
Neck construction: Bolt-on
Body: Solid
To learn more, head over to: ibanez.com
Aristides Guitars
(H/06R, H/07R, H/08R, H/09R)
The history of Aristides began in the Netherlands back in 1995 with a challenging task. Their goal? Create a material with the “perfect acoustic properties.” After many years of research and development they successfully created “the perfect tonal material”— “Arium.” Since then, it is safe to say that their hard work has been noticed all around the world with their widespread social media following and many signature artists that swear by them. All their guitars are a one piece neck and body injection-molded construction. The process, which you can read about here, is quite interesting. Currently their headless lineup, the H-Series, consists of 6, 7, 8, and 9-string multiscale guitars. Their Instagram page is regularly updated with beautiful finishes. Some models, like the ones shown above are unpainted and completely raw, hence the “R” at the end of their model name.
Strings: 6/ 7/ 8/ 9
Scale length: Multiscale 25 – 26.1″ (6), 25.7 – 27″ (7), 26.5 – 28″ (8), 27 – 29″ (9-string)
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: Compound 12-16″ (6, 7, 8), 18-25″ (9-string)
Bridge: Fixed/ Tremolo
Pickups: Humbucker
Configuration: HH
Neck construction: Single piece body/ neck construction (injection-molded)
Body: Solid
To learn more, head over to: aristidesinstruments.com
Mayones Guitars & Basses
(Hydra: BL 6, Elite PRO 6, Elite Gothic 6, Elite 7, Elite VF FSH 7)
Founded in 1982, Polish manufacturer Mayones offers a variety of beautifully hand-crafted guitars and basses. Their current headless model, the Hydra, consists of the lineup: BL, Elite, and Elite Gothic (all in 6 or 7-string versions), the multiscale VF FSH (6/ 7-string), and the Elite PRO with tremolo bridge. The necks are lined with glow-in-the-dark Luminlay side dots for great visibility on stage. Mayones custom shop gives you the ability to customize your guitar with a varied selection of woods, colors, finishes, and hardware. You can also check out the selection of instruments listed on Reverb.com by clicking the link below.
Strings: 6/ 7
Scale length: 25.4″/ Multiscale 25.4 – 27″
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: 16″
Bridge: Fixed/ Tremolo
Pickups: Humbucker
Configuration: HH (coil-split option)
Neck construction: Bolt-on
Body: Solid
To learn more, head over to: mayones.com
Padalka Guitars
(Neptune, Neptune, Pluto, Pluto 7, Saturn 8)
Located in Krasnodar, Russia, Padalka Guitars is a small guitar shop that makes exceptionally crafted guitars. Each instrument is custom-made to the customer’s specifications which includes the choice of hardware, electronics, and a wide selection of woods. The three headless models Neptune, Pluto, and Saturn, are all available in 6, 7, and 8-string versions as well as in multiscale. One of the unique options that Padalka offers are the beautifully etched fretboard engravings like the “Black Sea” design seen on the first model above. As is popular with many of the high-end models, luminescent Luminlay side-dots are standard.
Strings: 6/ 7/ 8
Scale length: 25.5″/ Multiscale 24.75 – 25.5″ (6), 25 – 26″ (6), 25.5 – 26.5″ (6/ 7), 25.5 – 27″ (7/ 8), 26 – 27.5″ (8), 26.5 – 28″ (7/ 8-string)
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: 12″/ 14″/ 16″/ 20″/ 37″
Bridge: Fixed
Pickups: Humbucker
Configuration: HH
Neck construction: Bolt-on/ Neck-through/ Set neck
Body: Solid/ Chambered
To learn more, head over to: padalka-guitars.com
Steinberger
(GT-PRO Deluxe: Hot Rod Red, Hot Rod Yellow, Black, White, Frost Blue)
The Steinberger GT-PRO Deluxe showcases the pioneering design of Ned Steinberger, the visionary behind headless guitars and basses, dating back to 1979. This iconic guitar features Steinberger’s patented R-Trem Locking Tremolo with steel saddles and the 40:1 Ratio Direct-Pull tuning systems. The R-Trem allows for aggressive dive-bombing (EVH has entered the chat) and pull-ups when unlocked, and functions as a fixed bridge when locked, providing great versatility. Fine tuning is made easy at the bridge, and string changes are quick with Steinberger DoubleBall strings or regular strings using the Single Ball string adapter. It has a 3-piece maple neck with an adjustable truss rod. Its lightweight build ensures great comfort while the ergonomic SlimTaper-D profile neck and medium jumbo frets offer superb playability. Versatile pickups deliver a broad range of tones, making it a great choice for a wide range of players.
If you want to own a piece of what started it all, we’d highly recommend checking this instrument out!
Strings: 6
Scale length: 25.5″
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: 14″
Bridge: Floating and fixed (R-Trem system)
Pickups: Humbucker/ Single-coil
Configuration: HSH
Neck construction: Neck-through
Body: Solid
To learn more, head over to: steinberger.com
Skervesen Guitars
(Shoggie, SkerveTEN, Shoggie 7, Shoggie 7, Shoggie 8)
Skervesen is a custom guitar manufacturer based in Gdansk, Poland, that makes some impressive-playing guitars. The headless lineup, which come in multiscale and regular scale, consists of the Shoggie and SkerveTEN. They go from 6, 7, 8, and all the way up to 10(!) strings. Customizations include a selection of woods— including swamp ash, mahogany, black limba, for the body, flamed maple, figured poplar burl, and spalted walnut, to name a few, for the top. You are free to select any pickups of your choice. Luminlay side dots are included. Ultimately, there’s very few things that can’t be customized when it comes to ordering your instrument and communicating with the Skervesen team.
Strings: 6/ 7/ 8/ 10
Scale length: 25.5″/ Multiscale 25 – 26″
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: Compound 14 – 16″ (6), 16 – 18″ (7), 18 – 20″ (8-string)
Bridge: Fixed/ Tremolo
Pickups: Humbucker
Configuration: H/H
Neck construction: Bolt-on/ Neck-through
Body: Solid
To learn more and customize your instrument, head over to: skervesen.eu
Bootlegger Guitar
Following the release of the Spade, beloved by guitarists all around the world, Bootlegger introduced the Absinthe. This model features a modern full-body shape created with input from a renowned Japanese designer. It boasts EMG pickups with a coil split option and a newly designed neck. It is well-balanced, offers easy access to high frets, and features a beautiful Brazilian Jatoba fingerboard. The neck shape resembles popular designs like the Fender modern C, and Gibson Slim Taper D, making it highly comfortable for many players. This particular model primarily comes with a tremolo, although a fixed bridge version is available as well.
Scale length: 25.5″
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: 13″
Bridge: Fixed/ Tremolo
Pickups: Humbucker/ Single-coil
Configuration: HH/ HSH
Neck construction: Neck-through
Body: Solid
Harley Benton
(Dullahan: FT 24 Roasted DB, FT 24 Roasted SP, AT 24 PBB, AT 24 TBB, AT 24 TBK)
If you’re on the lookout for an affordable headless guitar with a more traditional-looking, double-cutaway design, then Harley Benton’s “Dullahan” lineup is worth checking out. They offer 7 models that each come in a unique finish and are made from either alder or mahogany. The maple necks feature a maple or ebony fretboard. The pickups are Roswell alnico humbuckers. Overall, Harley Benton is hard to beat when it comes to offering headless guitars with a traditional shaped body in its price class.
Strings: 6
Scale length: 25.51″
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: 13.78″
Bridge: Fixed
Pickups: Humbucker
Configuration: HH
Neck construction: Bolt-on
Body: Solid
To learn more, head over to: harleybenton.com
NOTE: As of June, 2024, their headless models are out of stock and not available for purchase. We will update this as soon as that changes.
Traveler Guitar
(Ultra-Light Electric, Speedster Deluxe, EG1, Escape Mark III acoustic)
Traveler Guitar has been making affordable headless guitars great for travel since 1992. While they may not necessarily be made for recording or playing gigs (although we are not saying that you couldn’t!), they are perfect for bringing on a trip to practice in the hotel room or play around the campfire if you pair it with a portable amp. As boasted by Traveler Guitar themselves, the Ultra-Light Electric and Ultra-Light Acoustic are the lightest and smallest full-scale guitars available on the market.
Strings: 6
Scale length: 24.75″
Frets: 21/ 22
Fretboard radius: 15.75″
Bridge: Fixed
Pickups: Humbucker/ Single-coil/ Piezo
Configuration: H/ S
Neck construction: Bolt-on/ Neck-through
Body: Solid
To learn more, head over to: travelerguitar.com
