TheGreek Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 So as part of my build with Andy I've been doing loads of research into headless basses. I've managed to find loads of parts and possible alternatives to the "traditional" stubby end to a headless bass. I found this site which stocks loads of parts to build a headless bass. http://headless171.rssing.com/chan-56698534/all_p1.html Unfortunately I've already bought most of the parts we'll need but there's no point in reinventing the wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Have you seen the way Ritter do it? I actually think it may have been JP Basses who did it like this first, but can't find any examples now... You could also maybe do something clever with ferrules? Although that will tie you to using double ball end strings >> I would look for a clamping solution to give you the best choice of strings. Cheers, Ewan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pauld Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Would you not need to use single ball strings to allow for the strings going through to the back of the body. Hipshots headless tailpiece is quite neat and allows for clamping single ball strings. [url="https://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=353"]https://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=353[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Some useful thoughts and ideas above - thanks Something like the Ritter approach, or even clamping ferrules a bit like this (imagine a grub-screw rather than a screw-head and the ferrule sitting in a half-drilled hole from the back, with an allen key access hole in the side of the headstock) would be best for the reasons you state, eude - avoiding the need for double-ball strings: I'm assuming that Ritters are using some custom hardware. If anyone knows of any commercially available hardware like it, Mick and I would be very interested in hearing about it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 Personally I'm leaning towards this approach with a clamp at the nut. However if there's a way to lay one of these into the headstock with easy access and strength I'd also consider that. When it comes to the push I'll trust Andy's judgement and will probably go with his advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1490620668' post='3266489'] Personally I'm leaning towards this approach with a clamp at the nut. However if there's a way to lay one of these into the headstock with easy access and strength I'd also consider that. When it comes to the push I'll trust Andy's judgement and will probably go with his advice. [/quote] I'd be worried about bass strings having to turn such extreme angles, as they're under a lot more tension than a regular guitar. I would also bring up some interesting torsional stress at the headstock compared to the norm. Having said that, it's a very interesting idea. Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 (edited) Interesting point but wouldn't having a clamp at the nut take up most of the stress?? Not getting defensive - just asking the question. Edited March 27, 2017 by TheGreek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Ah right, so you're thinking of clamping at the nut then just tidying the strings away in that fashion? That would be fine and create a nice linear and predictable strain across the neck Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 You know the old phrase, "...and it was staring me in the face the whole time!" Or, put another way - "Now WHERE am I going to be able to find a bracket that has double locking and would fit the spacing of bass strings?" When Mick sent me the Steinberger look-alike tuner, he also sent me the above headstock bracket. The one designed for using normal strings rather than double ball-end. Which I confess I didn't notice until just..... So hacksaw off the semi-circular bracket, drill a fixing screw hole in the middle and either fix it on the top, routing the strings this way round, or (more likely) on the bottom, routing the strings the other way round. Either way - problem solved You're a genius, Mick Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 ...and I didn't even know it... Anything that can head off problems and brings the delivery date forward.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 (edited) For anybody else thinking of doing something similar, it's available here: [url="http://headless171.rssing.com/browser.php?indx=56698534&item=37"]http://headless171.r...6698534&item=37[/url] http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-string-Headless-Electric-Bass-Guitar-String-Locking-Nut-Set-Black-Q8N9-/322347906955?hash=item4b0d6eb78b:g:NogAAOSwo4pYQiBf Edited March 27, 2017 by TheGreek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted March 30, 2017 Author Share Posted March 30, 2017 (edited) For those looking for individual tuners http://www.technologyformusicians.com/guitarhbridges.php?lingua=2 https://www.thomann.de/gb/abm_3801b_single_headless_bridge.htm?glp=1&gclid=Cj0KEQjw2fLGBRDopP-vg7PLgvsBEiQAUOnIXFzFm6Zafu28wnC2CSRv64Q4br1HS8hzmkkvquAwnQQaAp2n8P8HAQ But these look really nice https://www.public-peace.de/index.php/hardware/bridges/bass-bridges/ets/2037-4-string-headless-bass-parts-m-logo http://www.ricktoone.com/2010/07/headless-guitar-hardware.html Edited February 27, 2018 by TheGreek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanry Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 Whoa, thank you for having gathered all of these together! I am considering a right massaker with a guillotine to convert a headed bass to headless - you have provided strong coffee to the guillotineur!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted February 27, 2018 Author Share Posted February 27, 2018 Glad to have been of service....keep us apprised of developments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted November 9, 2018 Author Share Posted November 9, 2018 More headless parts http://meraguitars.com/eng/parts/mech/submarineb.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChunkyMunky Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 On 09/11/2018 at 18:51, TheGreek said: More headless parts http://meraguitars.com/eng/parts/mech/submarineb.html Might've just accidentally inspired me to look at a headless build. Nice one, good sir! 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted March 5, 2019 Author Share Posted March 5, 2019 I've emailed them before and not had a reply...be interested to see how good the parts are. Happy hunting.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted March 18, 2019 Author Share Posted March 18, 2019 https://www.hantug.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=108 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 ^^^ It's for guitars, not basses, sadly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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