I’ve had my Ibanez Q54 a week and I’m blown away. I have only ever owned Fenders, but I’m not sure I’ll pick my other guitars back up. The tuning is insane, one week on and it hasn’t moved, played for 2 hours a day during the week and 8 hours Saturday Sunday. Saving for a Strandburg. Good review.
Great video! Another cool thing about them: the zero fret. Open strings more closely approximating the sound of a fretted note. Gives a bit more utility. I think some headstock guitars also have a zero fret, but it's definitely more rare in that case.
I don't have a zero fret on my Kiesel Osiris five string headless bass. IT's fretless. Works just fine. If the nut is set the way it's supposed to be, no need for it. I play upright bass and cello as well. Look and see and feel how the nut is set on the instrument.
Headless guitars stay in tune like a miracle. Ive gone over a month of playing without tuning it once, and it still be fully in tune. I practice every day, full band practices too on weekends and even with super heavy style playing, my Agile Chiral 8 holds perfectly with no problem. I don't have a tremolo, it's the hardtail I guess, but I do have big bends in some leads I play and I literally just checked my tuning and it's still perfect right now 🤣 I had an evertune that was more hassle than it was worth, this thing is much easier and holds better
I think RUclips is eating my comments again, dunno why, but maybe third time's the charm lol. Kiesel basically spoiled me for life. I rarely play my older basses now. Once you go headless and chambered it's almost impossible to go back. I'm also a big fan of multiscale now too!
Dude. It’s so true!! Kiesel is one of those brands. I have a few and they are some of my favorites. But I find myself also spoiled by my Ibanez AZ (for a Kiesel fan this would be called a Delos haha). The AZ and the Delos are just phenomenal.
Hey Bud I never thought I would play a headless guitar I got sent a EART GW2 Lefty Headless Guitar And As I Started I Couldn't Believe It Light Weight Great Playability Response Is Amazing Your Accuracy Gets Better After playing 24 years I just thought odd but got it now I don't believe I can quit playing it Love It Dearly when at first I thought I would have been uncomfortable not at all it was a free Review guitar but now I am a customer for life and the point of live is right it's awesome completely perfect for everything you do guitar💯🔥
Portable! I've noticed that headless or mini guitars are easier to smuggle into work. Low profile. If one decided to stop at a restaurant in winter and wanted to bring their guitar inside, it's more like a backpack than a coffin.
I’m left handed. My (also left handed) dad got me a right handed guitar back in 2005 from a garage sale as my first guitar. His logic, growing up in a right handed world, was that if I learn right handed, I’ll never have to worry about a future guitar not being available left handed. It’s left me somewhat ambidextrous.
I've been seeing a lot of headless guitars lately in the prog scene (go figure) so it's caught my eye. Want to buy a new guitar just because and a headless is looking more fun to me. Between a strat style and a headless. Looking to go for a SSS or SSH split headless style. I know Keisel makes , just have to save a lot!
As fair as your points are, the way I see it it doesn't matter to me how the guitar looks, head or no head, as long as it sounds amazing, that's all that matters to me 😁
Most guitars sound the same to me( depending on the pick up and weight obviously) you compare a Kramer with Gibson and sound similar in many ways(yes there are subtle difference in tone) I had both and never had to change my settings on my amp to get the same sound. My Ibanez sounded similar also besides it being alittle more clear from the notes being played. The only pickup/guitar I realized that does give a different sound is the p90 pick up. Again I’m just saying this off my experience with Kramer, Jackson’s, Ibanez, Gibson, ltd and epiphone. Edit: to me the guitar has to have the tone I’m looking for with power still behind it and playability and looks. Looks is just a bonus though.
@Jimmy Franklin do you still have a Kiesel or did you sell them all? Saw you sold the aqua colored one on reverb or at least it was for sale for a few hours. Seems like you gear hop a lot just curious if you ended up keeping any of the Kiesels
Are we hearing orange, Blackstar of something else? It’s a tight articulate tone that I usually hear with my SS amps Although the Mesa Mark VII arrived a few weeks ago and is so versatile My first boogie lots of older Marshall stuff
nah man,I have both types of guitars and both have cons and pros, some points are subjective but there are not really a rule saying this guitar is better perdiod, a good guitar well set up will always play good and feel great, is just a matter of taste and style, cheers
Guys can somebody explain to me- can I change tuning easily on a headless guitar? Or its like on freaking Floyd Rose? I have always used regular guitars, but really want to try headless
If you have a floating bridge headless then it’s a pain to change tunings BUT that is the same with any guitar w/ a floating bridge, regardless of if it has a headstock or not. HOWEVER, if you are asking if the tuners work similar to a Floyd roses fine tuners then the answer is no. Tuners on headless guitars are way easier and act a lot more like a traditional tuning machine. I change to drop d and other tunings on my fixed bridge headless all the time no problem.
The only thing I don’t like about headless guitars are that they look tiny on me. I’m 6’ 260lbs. They look like toys. My mayones Hydra is very large for a headless and even it looks little. The Kiesel Zeus I had looked like a joke on me lol
Maybe but as a player I don’t like the look it looks like a Godamn shovel. But ALL have different taste . I never tried one for this reason. But it sounds crazy good amazing playing and if you like it Awsome.❤
Headless guitars may be good , bit they lack the natural aesthetic of a normal guitar ,it's like seeing elvis with his head shaved , still elvis , but wrong in so many ways 😂
If anyone is interested in my opinion: every headless guitar look like shit, the only reason to have one is if you travel and have something foldable etc.
If anyone is interested in my opinion, I care more about the feel of the instrument, and i also think it can look pretty cool depending on the instrument. I like them.
The only good thing about them is a small size for travel practice. As long as no one is gonna see you play one it's ok. Anyone taller than 5 feet will look like a complete dork playing this guitar hero joystick toy looking guitar. Hipsters who are fooling themselves thinking that they look cool or original are unfortunately deluding themselves. Dude pulled most of the arguments out of thin air. Neck dive? Brings up literally the only 2 shitty designs from Gibson that suffer from it. Almost no other guitar has issues with neck dive. Friction? Talking about dive bombs and friction at the nut and tuners and conveniently forgets to mention that nearly all guitars with proper floating tremolos that meant to be used have locking nut, so there is even less friction than in a headless guitar.
Congrats, the classic "5 Reasons" blah blah blah hit my guitar algorithm. p.s they look like toys, not awesome. (it's a youtube comment section i have to be negative) ILY will sub xxxxx
nah man,I have both types of guitars and both have cons and pros, some points are subjective but there are not really a rule saying this guitar is better perdiod, a good guitar well set up will always play good and feel great, is just a matter of taste and style, cheers
nah man,I have both types of guitars and both have cons and pros, some points are subjective but there are not really a rule saying this guitar is better perdiod, a good guitar well set up will always play good and feel great, is just a matter of taste and style, cheers
I’ve had my Ibanez Q54 a week and I’m blown away.
I have only ever owned Fenders, but I’m not sure I’ll pick my other guitars back up.
The tuning is insane, one week on and it hasn’t moved, played for 2 hours a day during the week and 8 hours Saturday Sunday.
Saving for a Strandburg.
Good review.
How much you want for the q54?
Great video! Another cool thing about them: the zero fret. Open strings more closely approximating the sound of a fretted note. Gives a bit more utility. I think some headstock guitars also have a zero fret, but it's definitely more rare in that case.
Aaaahhhh! Very good call. I didn’t think of that but I do love the zero fret! 🤘🏽🤘🏽
I don't have a zero fret on my Kiesel Osiris five string headless bass. IT's fretless.
Works just fine.
If the nut is set the way it's supposed to be, no need for it.
I play upright bass and cello as well. Look and see and feel how the nut is set on the instrument.
I totally agree! My Strandberg's are my go to guitars for sure!
Headless guitars stay in tune like a miracle. Ive gone over a month of playing without tuning it once, and it still be fully in tune. I practice every day, full band practices too on weekends and even with super heavy style playing, my Agile Chiral 8 holds perfectly with no problem. I don't have a tremolo, it's the hardtail I guess, but I do have big bends in some leads I play and I literally just checked my tuning and it's still perfect right now 🤣 I had an evertune that was more hassle than it was worth, this thing is much easier and holds better
Evertune is amazing! I'm considering adding a headless to my collection.
I think RUclips is eating my comments again, dunno why, but maybe third time's the charm lol.
Kiesel basically spoiled me for life. I rarely play my older basses now. Once you go headless and chambered it's almost impossible to go back. I'm also a big fan of multiscale now too!
Dude. It’s so true!! Kiesel is one of those brands. I have a few and they are some of my favorites. But I find myself also spoiled by my Ibanez AZ (for a Kiesel fan this would be called a Delos haha). The AZ and the Delos are just phenomenal.
Hey Bud I never thought I would play a headless guitar I got sent a EART GW2 Lefty Headless Guitar And As I Started I Couldn't Believe It Light Weight Great Playability Response Is Amazing Your Accuracy Gets Better After playing 24 years I just thought odd but got it now I don't believe I can quit playing it Love It Dearly when at first I thought I would have been uncomfortable not at all it was a free Review guitar but now I am a customer for life and the point of live is right it's awesome completely perfect for everything you do guitar💯🔥
Portable! I've noticed that headless or mini guitars are easier to smuggle into work. Low profile. If one decided to stop at a restaurant in winter and wanted to bring their guitar inside, it's more like a backpack than a coffin.
you know... its so silly that i didnt mention this hahah thank you!!
Very interesting video. But left handed versions are very rare indeed. 😞
No!! Kiesel and Strandberg make them!!! Come along on the headless train with us!
@@jimmyfranklin They don't charge extra for them. And not an extra wait time for them.
Don't expect that from Fender or Gibson!
I’m left handed. My (also left handed) dad got me a right handed guitar back in 2005 from a garage sale as my first guitar. His logic, growing up in a right handed world, was that if I learn right handed, I’ll never have to worry about a future guitar not being available left handed.
It’s left me somewhat ambidextrous.
Don't recall that stopping Jimi Hendrix just flip that shit and restring it. Win win
I remember going for the first time at a guitar store and my first thought upon seeing an headless guitar was "is this broken?", they are sick tho
4:56 FINALLY I understand that! Thanks! (don't play guitar YET)
This was great I finally understand the pros and I play a 7 string rg7321 a lot in A and F#.
I've been seeing a lot of headless guitars lately in the prog scene (go figure) so it's caught my eye. Want to buy a new guitar just because and a headless is looking more fun to me. Between a strat style and a headless. Looking to go for a SSS or SSH split headless style. I know Keisel makes , just have to save a lot!
I just got a Osiris 8 string spec'd out to 3,200 USD. I am usually not a sucker or easy sell, and let me tell you it is worth every single penny.
As fair as your points are, the way I see it it doesn't matter to me how the guitar looks, head or no head, as long as it sounds amazing, that's all that matters to me 😁
Most guitars sound the same to me( depending on the pick up and weight obviously) you compare a Kramer with Gibson and sound similar in many ways(yes there are subtle difference in tone) I had both and never had to change my settings on my amp to get the same sound. My Ibanez sounded similar also besides it being alittle more clear from the notes being played. The only pickup/guitar I realized that does give a different sound is the p90 pick up. Again I’m just saying this off my experience with Kramer, Jackson’s, Ibanez, Gibson, ltd and epiphone.
Edit: to me the guitar has to have the tone I’m looking for with power still behind it and playability and looks. Looks is just a bonus though.
can you share your helix presets? Thanks
@Jimmy Franklin do you still have a Kiesel or did you sell them all? Saw you sold the aqua colored one on reverb or at least it was for sale for a few hours. Seems like you gear hop a lot just curious if you ended up keeping any of the Kiesels
Are we hearing orange, Blackstar of something else?
It’s a tight articulate tone that I usually hear with my SS amps
Although the Mesa Mark VII arrived a few weeks ago and is so versatile
My first boogie lots of older Marshall stuff
Oh yeah. Found this whilst looking for whats so special and different about a headless. so thanks!
if you can get a strandberg right now.. which would it be?
Great video. Have you tested the Ibanez headless guitars too? Several reviewers prefer the Ibanez over the Strandberg.
nah man,I have both types of guitars and both have cons and pros, some points are subjective but there are not really a rule saying this guitar is better perdiod, a good guitar well set up will always play good and feel great, is just a matter of taste and style, cheers
Love watching your videos
I appreciate that!!!
Thorium lithium combo sound great I think my next kiesel is a thorium beryllium !
Guys can somebody explain to me- can I change tuning easily on a headless guitar? Or its like on freaking Floyd Rose? I have always used regular guitars, but really want to try headless
If you have a floating bridge headless then it’s a pain to change tunings BUT that is the same with any guitar w/ a floating bridge, regardless of if it has a headstock or not. HOWEVER, if you are asking if the tuners work similar to a Floyd roses fine tuners then the answer is no. Tuners on headless guitars are way easier and act a lot more like a traditional tuning machine. I change to drop d and other tunings on my fixed bridge headless all the time no problem.
@@jimmyfranklin big thanks man, gonna buy fixed bridge headless then. Appreciate the answer
The only thing I don’t like about headless guitars are that they look tiny on me. I’m 6’ 260lbs. They look like toys. My mayones Hydra is very large for a headless and even it looks little. The Kiesel Zeus I had looked like a joke on me lol
I have the solution for ya - 30" scale 9 string baritone!
@@batsali99yep lol, selling mine right now because it's too big and heavy for me
You need acoustic studio foam. Would reduce the echo of your voice. I agree I love my Stranberg
Yup! That’s next on the list of upgrading the studio along with better mics!
No.
Foam sucks.
Get fiberglass panels.
My next guitar will be headless, i promise
Don’t break your promise!!
@@jimmyfranklin What brand is that 4 color headless you have?
@@deeman524 it’s a keisel I think
Did you have tuning stability issues with that blue hss strandberg?
Nope! Never. Once it was locked in it was great. I just don’t love single coils and thought I needed to get rid of it but I regret it!
@@jimmyfranklin Cool thanks! I can't get a stratocaster to behave, so I'm thinking about the strandberg instead
Just got my Kiesel Vader 6 and it’s the best guitar in my Herod of 20 something.
People say the Vader feels amazing. That’s not my favorite looking Kiesel but I hear the body is very comfortable!
Maybe but as a player I don’t like the look it looks like a Godamn shovel. But ALL have different taste . I never tried one for this reason. But it sounds crazy good amazing playing and if you like it Awsome.❤
Thank you so much! That’s funny! Haha a shovel!! Lol!
I think you mean axe. Shovels usually have the little handly bit that kinda looks like a headstock. 😂
I just bought a Eart headless guitar.
How is it??
@@jimmyfranklin Excellent guitar for the price.
They're superior couch guitars as well. No more bumping into the wife!
EXACTLY!!! this is a great example haha
I want to learn that riff at the 8 min mark
Headless guitars may be good , bit they lack the natural aesthetic of a normal guitar ,it's like seeing elvis with his head shaved , still elvis , but wrong in so many ways 😂
4:40
*laughs with Floyd Rose w/locking nut*
Ye headless only makes sense. If you disagree, you’re a boomer.
Why do they always have to look ugly though
I don’t think they look ugly at all! I think ppl thought the same thing about things like the Flying V and explorer at the time they came out
@@jimmyfranklin some of the headless guitars look good
If anyone is interested in my opinion: every headless guitar look like shit, the only reason to have one is if you travel and have something foldable etc.
If anyone is interested in my opinion, I care more about the feel of the instrument, and i also think it can look pretty cool depending on the instrument. I like them.
@@Jonathan-sk5wyif anyone is interested in my opinion: i absolutely agree with you and not the main comment.
If anyone is interested in my opinion, jello is tasty.
Don’t think anyone was interested don’t know why you even here telling us
@@N-VAMusic good opinion, i agree. Friend.
Headless + multi-scale = 🤌
So I’m lazy.
Do people really pass on a superior guitar because they don't like the way they look. Are you playing it or mounting it like a picture.
They stay in tune and are very convenient but they sound pretty thin and awful.
I wish they made them with a little bit more personality up top. The decapitated look is bad...
The only good thing about them is a small size for travel practice. As long as no one is gonna see you play one it's ok. Anyone taller than 5 feet will look like a complete dork playing this guitar hero joystick toy looking guitar. Hipsters who are fooling themselves thinking that they look cool or original are unfortunately deluding themselves.
Dude pulled most of the arguments out of thin air. Neck dive? Brings up literally the only 2 shitty designs from Gibson that suffer from it. Almost no other guitar has issues with neck dive. Friction? Talking about dive bombs and friction at the nut and tuners and conveniently forgets to mention that nearly all guitars with proper floating tremolos that meant to be used have locking nut, so there is even less friction than in a headless guitar.
Congrats, the classic "5 Reasons" blah blah blah hit my guitar algorithm. p.s they look like toys, not awesome. (it's a youtube comment section i have to be negative) ILY will sub xxxxx
Hell yea!! Thanks for the sub!! I’m trying! 🤘🏽🤘🏽and like I said. “Eye catching”
Good video, annoying sound effects
i really dont like how a headless guitar look
I’ve never seen a trem without a locking nut
nah man,I have both types of guitars and both have cons and pros, some points are subjective but there are not really a rule saying this guitar is better perdiod, a good guitar well set up will always play good and feel great, is just a matter of taste and style, cheers
nah man,I have both types of guitars and both have cons and pros, some points are subjective but there are not really a rule saying this guitar is better perdiod, a good guitar well set up will always play good and feel great, is just a matter of taste and style, cheers