Headless guitars have grown a lot in popularity, particularly over the last few years, as they are not just more convenient to travel with but also much more comfortable to play due to their better balance and overall ergonomics— something we go more in depth about here.
Luckily, as the demand has grown, so has the variety of headless guitars available on the market. Today, there are more options for guitarists looking to find their perfect headless instrument than ever before.
Here we have taken a look at some of the best models being made and compiled a list of our top 7 favorite so far in 2023. If you would like to get an overview of more models and their features, please check out our Headless Guitars page.
Let’s get started!
1. Strandberg Boden
The Strandberg Boden was exclusively made with the best ergonomic design in mind. In fact, when Ola Strandberg founded Strandberg Guitars back in 2007, that was the main goal behind all the instruments that they build. From the arm, torso, and heel carves so that the guitar rests flush against the body with great access to the upper frets, to the unique patented EndurNeck— everything is designed with playability in mind. Even the unique body shape was carved out so that it can be played in the regular position or in the classical style position (resting on left leg, neck pointing up at 45°) when sitting. The Boden lineup consists of the Original, Prog, Fusion, Metal, Classic, and Standard models. Strandberg’s site has a nice overview of the similarities and differences between each.
The 6-string Original multiscale guitar features a 20″ radius carbon fiber reinforced maple neck and fretboard, chambered swamp ash body, Suhr SSV (neck) and SSH+ (bridge), and a 5-way switch with outer coil selection.
Scale length: Multiscale 25 – 25.5″
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: 20″
Bridge: Fixed
Pickups: Humbucker
Configuration: HH
Neck construction: Bolt-on
Body: Chambered
To learn more, head over to: strandbergguitars.com
At no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission if you make a purchase through our link.
2. Mayones Hydra
Hand-crafted in Poland since 1982, Mayones has truly made a name for itself when it comes to making beautiful instruments. Their headless lineup, the Hydra, is no exception to this.
The Elite Pro 6-string features a solid mahogany body with an eye poplar top. The neck is made from wenge-purpleheart and has an ebony fingerboard with a 16″ radius. Neck is lined with luminescent Luminlay side dots. The dual humbuckers are Mayones TKO by Bare Knuckle. The bridge is a Sophia 2:92 tremolo bridge.
Scale length: 25.4″
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: 16″
Bridge: Tremolo (Fixed option)
Pickups: Humbucker
Configuration: HH (coil-split option)
Neck construction: Bolt-on
Body: Solid
This is a truly great playing and sounding instrument worth checking out. Head over to Mayones custom shop to build your instrument or check out the listings on Reverb by clicking the link below:
At no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission if you make a purchase through our link.
3. Kiesel Vader
Kiesel has quickly become one of the leading names when it comes to headless guitars. They are currently producing ten distinct headless models, as well as one acoustic, each with their unique features. One of these great models is the double cutaway Vader with a neck-through construction. This is a pretty compact guitar that somehow managed to, at the same time, retain the feeling of a full size instrument (which it certainly is at 25.5″ scale length). One of the great things is that because Kiesel is a custom manufacturer, many of the features, including the woods, hardware, and finish, are customizable. And yes, the Vader, like many of their other models can be made for left-handed players (so lefties, rejoice!).
The Vader shown above features a maple neck, 20″ radius zebrawood fretboard, swamp ash body in jet black with a satin matte finish. Two single-coil pickups with a humbucker at the bridge and a Hipshot/ Kiesel tremolo system.
Scale length: 25.5″
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: 20″ (14″ or 12 – 16″ compound options)
Bridge: Tremolo (Fixed option)
Pickups: Humbucker
Configuration: HH
Neck construction: Neck-through
Body: Solid (Chambered option)
To customize and order your Vader, head over to: kieselguitars.com. You can also check out the listings on Reverb by clicking the link below:
At no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission if you make a purchase through our link.
4. Kiesel Zeus
Another great model by Kiesel is the Zeus. It features a unique, and, in our opinion, beautiful body shape unlike any of the other headless models on the market. Just like the Vader and many of the other guitars in their lineup, Kiesel allows you to customize so many of its features to match your own unique liking. This includes everything from the woods used, to the hardware and pickups, to the color and finish. The Zeus is 25.5″ scale length with a 20″ fretboard radius which you have the option to customize to a little more rounded 14″ radius and even a 12 – 16″ compound radius. You can select to have a fixed bridge or the Hipshot/ Kiesel tremolo system. And great news for lefties, this model like many of the other models, can also be made for left-handed players.
The Zeus shown above features a deep clear flame translucent autumn mahogany body, maple neck and 20″ royal ebony fretboard. Two humbucker pickups and a Hipshot/ Kiesel tremolo system.
Scale length: 25.5″
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: 20″ (14″ or 12 – 16″ compound options)
Bridge: Fixed (Tremolo option)
Pickups: Humbucker (Single-coil option)
Configuration: HH (HSH, SSH, SSS options)
Neck construction: Bolt-on
Body: Solid (Chambered option)
To customize and order your Zeus, head over to: kieselguitars.com. You can also check out the listings on Reverb by clicking the link below:
At no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission if you make a purchase through our link.
5. Skervesen Shoggie 6
Polish guitar maker Skervesen has established itself as a company known for producing high quality instruments with some incredible finishes and tons of customizable options. The Shoggie 6 DC Bolt-on features a distinct body-shape with practically limitless options as to customizability, from the woods to the hardware. Beautiful tops range from black burst flamed maple to black burst red poplar burl and 15 other options! They allow you to select from some of the top pickup manufacturers including: DiMarzio, Fishman, EMG, Lundgren, and Bare Knuckle Pickups. Tremolo bridge by T4M is an option as well.
Scale length: 25.5″
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: Compound 14 – 16″
Bridge: Fixed (Tremolo option)
Pickups: Humbucker
Configuration: HH
Neck construction: Bolt-on
Body: Solid
To customize and order your Shoggie 6, head over to: skervesen.eu
6. Ibanez Q52
Ibanez is known for being one of the most innovative guitar companies with their wide variety of models and different features. The fact that Ibanez would do well in designing what is already an innovative version of the traditional guitar, the headless guitar, comes as little surprise.
The Q52 is a great guitar that offers both affordability and the quality that Ibanez is known for. The body is made of nyatoh wood and the neck is a three piece roasted maple/ bubinga construction with a roasted maple fretboard. The Jescar EVOgold frets have long-lasting durability. The Q58 humbucker pickups (passive/ ceramic) were specifically designed for their headless lineup, featuring a well-defined sound and tonal balance. Its wide intonation range Mono-Tune bridge allows you to lower the tuning beyond a whole step while being able to set the intonation perfectly. Lastly, the ergonomically designed body is light and comfortable, making it suitable for long hours of practice and playing.
Scale length: 25.5″
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: 12″
Bridge: Fixed
Pickups: Humbucker
Configuration: HH
Neck construction: Bolt-on
Body: Solid
To learn more, head over to: ibanez.com
At no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission if you make a purchase through our link.
7. Bootlegger Spade
The Bootlegger Spade is an impressive little 25.5″ full scale guitar with great sounding humbuckers. It has the smallest body shape out of all the models we’ve covered here. That being said, don’t let that fool you into thinking that this is just a travel guitar, because it most certainly is not. It has the rich, full-body sound of a full size guitar.
The Spade is a neck-through construction and features a maple neck, hard swamp ash body wings, a 13″ radius Brazilian cherry jatoba fretboard, two alnico humbucker pickups, and a fixed or tremolo monorail bridge. A hard case that the guitar fits into snuggly is included.
Scale length: 25.5″
Frets: 24
Fretboard radius: 13″
Bridge: Tremolo
Pickups: Humbucker
Configuration: HH
Neck construction: Neck-through
Body: Solid
To learn more, head over to: bootleggerguitar.com
At no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission if you make a purchase through our link.
Have any comments/ questions?
Let us know below!
1 thought on “Top 7 Best Headless Guitars (2023)”
I’ve long been intrigued with the idea of a headless guitar, and if I could, I’d say the headless guitar is the best option. This is an excellent choice if you’re a novice who wants to learn how to play guitar using online tools.