Headless electric guitars are fairly unusual. They may look a little strange, but they offer plenty of other benefits. I bet you’re wondering how they play! So let’s take a look at some of the best ones.
Key Takeaways
- Headless guitars have a different weight distribution, so no more neck diving.
- Most common genres for headless guitars: Jazz and prog rock.
- Many headless models come with additional modern features like carbon fiber bodies, ergonomic body shapes, or coil-splitting
- Best entry-level headless guitar: Traveler Guitar Ultra Light
- Best value headless: Larry Carlton X6 Headless 6
- Best premium headless: Strandberg Sälen Jazz
Table of Contents
Headless Guitars: Functional Design
The most striking feature of headless guitars is, of course, the lack of a headstock. And that has a significant impact on weight distribution. Without the extra weight at the top of the guitar, it’s easier on your shoulders and neck, which is great for longer sessions.
Headless guitars often have a more compact design that makes it easier to access the higher registers. This can be particularly useful for more complex playing styles, such as progressive rock or jazz.
Where do you tune these?
One of the biggest technical challenges when developing headless guitars was relocating the tuners. This design required moving them to the bridge. Many manufacturers have developed tuning systems that let you adjust string tension with great precision. These systems often provide much greater tonal stability than conventional tuners, keeping the guitar in tune for extended periods.
One example of ergonomic innovation among headless guitars is Strandberg’s EndurNeck profile, which promotes optimal hand posture and significantly reduces the risk of fatigue or injury. This unique neck profile lets guitarists play relaxed and comfortably for extended periods.
As with any guitar, headless guitars have their pros and cons, which you should weigh up according to your preferences and playing style.
Pros and cons of headless guitars
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact: Headless electric guitars are generally lighter than traditional models, which helps when being on tour or during long sessions.
- Improved balance: Without a headstock, the instrument’s weight is distributed more evenly, reducing top-heaviness and making it more comfortable to play.
- Tuning stability: Thanks to different innovative tuning mechanisms, headless electric guitars offer exceptional tuning stability.
- Modern look: Many guitarists consider its futuristic design a highlight that clearly distinguishes it from classic models.
Cons:
- Unusual look: Traditionalists may need to adjust to the missing headstock, since some players prefer the classic guitar look.
- Higher price: Brands such as Strandberg and Ibanez specialize in high-end headless guitars, so these often cost more than traditional models.
To get a better impression of the range of headless guitars available currently, you can find more models at Thomann* or Sweetwater*!
Traveler Guitar Electric Ultra Light Black – Best Entry-Level Headless Guitar
Specs:
- Body: East American maple
- Neck: East American maple
- Pickup: Dual Rail humbucker
- Special features: lightweight, affordable, short scale
Traveler Guitars’ models share both the headless neck and the more compact body shape with Steinberger’s headless guitars. But if you look closer, you’ll notice quite few differences still. It won’t come as a surprise that the guitars from Traveler Guitar are even more compact, with a 24.7″ scale and an overall much lighter build. It might not be a headless guitar in the narrow view of headless fanatics, but it still lacks a headstock, so there is that. And it’s super affordable.
Get it from Thomann* or Sweetwater*.
Steinberger Spirit GT-Pro Deluxe Black – Best Vintage Headless Guitar
Specs:
- Body: Maple
- Neck: Maple with phenolic fingerboard
- Pickups: 2x humbucker, 1x single coil (HSH configuration)
- Special features: Double-locking tremolo system, ultra-compact
The GT-Pro is one of the classic headless guitars that’s been around forever. So if you want to go all in, play a model that has both, a headless neck AND a unique body shape, this will get you there. Sure, due to the different body shape, the GT-Pro will likely feel unusual when you first play it. But if you get the hang of it, you’ll never want to play a different guitar again.
Get it from Thomann* or Sweetwater*.
Mooer GTRS Wing 900 – Best Modern Headless Guitar
Specs:
- Body: alder
- Neck: maple, rosewood (5-piece)
- Pickups: Custom GTRS HM-2N (neck) and Custom GTRS HM-2B Humbucker (bridge)
- Special features: integrated effects, Bluetooth, and app control
If you’re into tech, you’ll love the Mooer GTRS Wing 900 with its integrated tone modeling. It’s one of the more modern headless guitars on this list. The integrated GTRS Intelligent Process System offers plenty of guitar tone-modeling options: modeling, selectable presets, output options, wireless control via app connection, headphone output, 11 instrument simulations, 126 effects.
Check it out at Thomann*.
Larry Carlton X6 Headless 6 – Best Value Headless Guitar
Specs:
- Body: Mahogany
- Top: Ash
- Neck: Maple
- Pickups: Two LC Modern humbuckers
- Special features: 5-way pickup switch, Sire Headless tremolo bridge, black hardware
There isn’t much else to be said about Sire’s cooperation with both Larry Carlton for guitars and Marcus Miller for basses other than they’ve raised the bar for value-for-money to a point where it’s tough to find any competitor in the midrange even close. Same goes for headless guitars. For this model, you get two humbuckers, a five-way switch that includes coil-splitting modes, and a massive tremolo bridge.
Get it from Thomann* or Sweetwater*.
Strandberg Boden Essential 6 – Best Midrange Headless Guitar
Specs:
- Body: Meranti
- Neck: Maple
- Fretboard: Rosewood
- Pickups: Strandberg Custom OEM Bridge and Strandberg Custom OEM Neck humbuckers
- Special features: EndurNeck profile, 5-way pickup switch, Strandberg EGS arc cast zinc string locking tuners
When writing these lists, I take great care that only one product per manufacturer is on these, I might be accused of favoring some brands over others. But when it comes to headless guitar, Strandberg is simply a league of its own. So, I had to pick a second one, besides their premium model. So I went to the Boden Essential series, which offers much of the higher end headless guitars from Strandberg at a much more affordable price.
Available from Thomann* and Sweetwater*.
Ibanez Q54 BKF – Most Versatile Headless Guitar
Specs:
- Body: Nyatoh
- Neck: Roasted maple, Wizard C-profile, offset mother-of-pearl dots
- Pickups: Q58 humbucker (bridge) and 2 R1 single coils (center, neck)
- Special features: Gig bag, dyna-MIX9 system with Alter Switch
Ibanez also has a few headless guitars in its lineup. Weighing just over 2 kg, the Q54 is typical of Ibanez: easy to play and, thanks to 24 jumbo stainless-steel frets, a complete package that will make both rockers and metalheads happy. Plus, the Wizard C-profile neck feels slick and easy to hold without being too slim.
Get it from Thomann* or Sweetwater*.
Strandberg Sälen Jazz NX Natural – Best Premium Headless Guitar
Specs:
- Body: Ash (semi-hollow)
- Top: Maple, with mahogany veneer
- Neck: Roasted maple with EndurNeck profile
- Pickup: Custom Häussel Jazz Pickup Set
- Special features: Multi-scale frets, extremely light, ergonomic design
The two custom Häussel Jazz pickups deliver a smooth, nuanced tone that cuts through effortlessly, while the multi-scale stainless-steel frets ensure excellent intonation and playing accuracy. And thanks to its light weight and excellent balance, the Sälen Jazz NX is ideal for frequent performers or long studio sessions – and one of the best headless guitars.
Available from Thomann* and Sweetwater*.
Conclusion: Which headless guitar is for you?
There are now more headless electric guitars on the market than ever before, and they’re more affordable than ever, too! Whether you’re an experienced guitarist who travels a lot and you’re looking for a compact, reliable guitar. Or you’re a metal player who needs an ergonomic guitar with precise intonation and strong tuning stability. There’s a model to suit your needs!
FAQ on headless guitars
Do headless guitars need special strings?
Most use standard single-ball strings, threaded ball-end first into the bridge and clamped at the nut.
Are headless guitars good for beginners?
Yes! They are often significantly lighter, better balanced, and far easier to restring. The caveat is resale: if you are not sure if you will stick with guitar at all, a conventional shape is easier to sell.
Is a multi-scale headless guitar worth it?
Only if you tune low. Fanned frets even out tension across the string set, which makes drop tunings and extended-range instruments feel far more consistent. In standard tuning on a six-string, the benefit is marginal.
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