Headless Guitars (2023)
Check out: Top 7 Best Headless Guitars (2023)
Kiesel Custom Guitars
(Osiris, Zeus, Vader, Delos, Zeus 8-string multiscale)
Of all the high-end headless guitar manufacturers, Kiesel offers the most variety in body shapes that we’ve seen on the market. There are currently fourteen different electric headless models as well as one acoustic. Two are available in 6 and 7-string versions and four 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 are standard as well. When it comes to building your dream guitar, Kiesel Custom Shop certainly gives you many options.
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: 24
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)
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. 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 are truly magnificent instruments worth checking out.
Strings: 6/ 7/ 8
Scale length: 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
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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 Q52, Q54, 6-string models, the QX52, QX54QM, 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 QX527PB is a 7-string with slanted frets as well.
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
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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
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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
At no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission if you make a purchase through our link.
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: H/H
Neck construction: Bolt-on/ Neck-through/ Set neck
Body: Solid/ Chambered
Head over to their Instagram page to see more: instagram.com/padalkaguitars
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
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
At no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission if you make a purchase through our link.
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
Asmuse
(Leaf: Black, Blue, Green)
The Asmuse Leaf is a great sounding little guitar, especially at its price, that offers a nice balance between having a fairly full-feeling body while maintaining a compact enough size for easy travel. It features two humbucker pickups that can be toggled to single-coil with the split-coil knob. It comes in black, blue, and green. Overall, this is a great instrument that plays and sounds really nice, and at its price, it really can’t be beat. If you’re in the market for an affordable headless guitar, it’s definitely worth checking out!
Strings: 6
Scale length: 25.5″
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: N/A
Bridge: Fixed
Pickups: Humbucker
Configuration: HH with coil-split
Neck construction: Bolt-on
Body: Solid
To learn more, head over to: asmuse.com
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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
At no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission if you make a purchase through our link.
