The 10 Best Headless Guitars (2024)
Headless guitars offer sleek designs and impressive playability. Unlike traditional guitars, they don’t have a headstock, which creates a unique look and feel. Also, the lack of a headstock makes the guitar more comfortable to play, especially for those who like to play fast and intricate pieces.
But not all headless guitars are created equal. Some models are better than others, and with prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, it can be hard to know which ones are worth the investment. That’s why today we will talk about the best headless guitars.
My main recommended headless guitar is the Ibanez Q54 Quest Series, as it is a greatly versatile headless guitar with high-quality features and a reasonable price tag.
As the affordable option, I recommend the EART GW2 Headless Electric Guitar, which offers great sound quality and durability for the price with its poplar burl veneer top and stainless steel frets.
Contents
- The Best Headless Guitars (2024) – At a Glance
- 1. Ibanez Q54 Quest Series
- 2. EART GW2 Headless Electric Guitar
- 3. Strandberg Boden Original NX 6
- 4. Traveler Ultra-Light Electric
- 5. Jamstik Studio
- 6. Strandberg Sälen Jazz NX
- 7. Steinberger GTPROBK1 Guitar
- 8. Escape Mark III MK3
- 9. Ibanez QX52
- 10. Asmuse Foldable Electric Guitar
- What is a Headless Guitar?
- Buyers Guide
- FAQs
- Conclusion
The Best Headless Guitars (2024) – At a Glance
Now let’s move on to the full list:
1. Ibanez Q54 Quest Series
Ibanez Q54 Quest Series headless guitar is a sonic chameleon, thanks to its HSS pickup configuration and Dyna-MIX9 switching system, which allows you to create 9 different pickup combinations. Besides the ceramic Q58 humbucker on the bridge, it has two R1 single coil pickups, which you can combine to make them act as a humbucker.
The guitar looks and feels great with its S-type curves and soft belly cuts. The neck is highly smooth with the wizard “C” profile and roasted maple fingerboard.
Another highlight of the guitar is the Ibanez Mono Tune bridge system, which offers the traditional separate-bridge-for-each-string system for a wide intonation range and easy down tuning.
My only complaint about the package would be about the gig bag, as I would have liked a better-quality gig bag, but this one also gets the job done.
The guitar comes in black or seafoam green colors and looks pretty great. For the price, it is an amazing instrument, which shows that you don’t have to go to extreme high-end ranges to have a high-quality headless guitar.
Pros
- Sonic versatility with HSS pickup configuration
- Great features for the price
- Smooth roasted-maple fretboard
- Balanced tone and handling
- Dyna-MIX9 switching system
Cons
- Not the best gig bag
Specs
- Body Material: Nyatoh
- Neck Material: 3-Piece Roasted Maple/Bubinga
- Fretboard Material: Roasted Birdseye Maple
- Frets: 24
- Scale: 25.5”
- Pickups: HSS Ceramic Q58 humbucker 2 x R1 single coils
- Guitar Bridge System: Ibanez Mono Tune
- Controls and Switches: 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone, 1 x Alter switch, 5-way blade pickup switch
- Colors: Black and Seafoam Green
2. EART GW2 Headless Electric Guitar
EART GW2 Headless Electric Guitar has a beautiful design, with a lovely padauk body and a burled maple top. Its look matches its versatile sound, perfect for different music styles. I appreciate the high quality and good value.
The guitar also has a special roasted maple and padauk 5-section neck, which gives excellent stability for lower notes and thicker strings. Its neck shape changes from a U to a C profile, and the fingerboard has a gradual curve, making playing smooth.
Plus, the stainless steel frets are durable and smooth for easy bending, and the polished fret ends and Indian rosewood fingerboard also improve playability. The fretwork and stainless steel frets are very rare in this price range, making this instrument an amazing purchase for the price.
With its adjustable humbucker pickups, this guitar is great for those who want a versatile instrument. It works well for blues or thrash players. For professional recordings, you might want to check out better pickups. The stock pickups are pretty good and versatile, but they may not satisfy professional players.
In short, EART GW2 is an amazing headless guitar with high-quality features that is hard to beat for the offered price.
Pros
- High-quality craftsmanship at an affordable price
- Versatile, suitable for various music styles
- Excellent fretwork and smooth playing surface
- Unique U to C compound neck profile for comfortability
- Beautiful wood finish and overall aesthetics
- Roasted Padauk body for punchy tone
- Stays in tune well
Cons
- Requires additional adjustments for optimal playing experience
- Bridge and headpiece design may be cumbersome for some players
- For professional recordings, better pickups would be a good idea
Specs
- Body Material: Roasted Padauk with Burled Maple Veneer
- Neck Material: 5-Piece Roasted Maple/Padauk
- U to C compound neck profile for versatile playability
- Fretboard Material: Rosewood
- Frets: 24 Stainless Steel
- Scale: 25.5”
- Pickups: HH Covered Pickups
- Guitar Bridge System: Fixed hardtail bridge
- Controls and Switches: Master Volume, Master Tone, 3-Way Blade Switch
- Colors: Black, Blue, Purple, Natural
3. Strandberg Boden Original NX 6
When talking about headless guitars, the first brand to come to mind is always Strandberg. As the brand is specialized in innovative headless guitar designs, their amazing six-string headless guitar, Strandberg Boden Original NX 6, does not disappoint. With its extremely playable neck, high-quality Suhr humbuckers, lightweight yet balanced design, super fretwork, and beautiful aesthetics, it is one of the best headless guitars out there.
The instrument weighs only 4.56lb (2.07kg), which is super lightweight for any guitar. Yet it is a highly balanced instrument.
Another great feature is the neck which feels out-of-this-world with the super-smooth fretwork, multi-scale design, and high-quality maple. The action is also super-low, making the playing experience even smoother.
Sonicwise, the guitar sounds quite lively and vibrant but does not have much acoustic volume. Plugged in, the Boden has great voices. The bridge pickup is quite gritty and powerful, like a JB, while the neck pickup sounds slightly more rootsy or vintage, which means the output is lower, but the clarity is higher.
There is not much to say against this guitar, as it is a professional-level premium quality instrument. Of course, the price might be a bit high for most guitarists, and headless guitars still feel weird for many players, but if you want one of the best ones, Strandberg Boden Original NX 6 is the perfect choice.
Pros
- Amazing fretwork and setup
- High-quality materials
- Eye-catching design
- Lightweight yet balanced
- High sonic versatility
- Great Suhr pickups
- Powerful, articulate, and expressive sound
Cons
- Unusual neck style
- High-end instrument
Specs
- Body Material: Swamp ash
- Neck Material: Maple
- Fretboard Material: Birdseye maple
- Frets: 24 Stainless Steel
- Scale: 25” – 25.5” Multi-scale
- Pickups: HH Suhr SSH+ (bridge) and Suhr SSV (neck)
- Guitar Bridge System: Strandberg EGS Fixed Bridge Rev 7
- Controls and Switches: Volume, Tone, 5-way blade pickup switch
- Colors: Charcoal Black, Autumn Red, Natural Flame Maple, Natural Quilted Maple
4. Traveler Ultra-Light Electric
Traveler Ultra-Light Electric is a highly innovative electric guitar, making traveling light easy. With a full 24.75-inch scale length and weighing just 3 lbs (1.3 kg), its small size allows for simple storage in airplane overhead compartments. Its compact and lightweight design is great for traveling, making it an excellent accessory for musicians on the go. This guitar ensures you won’t have to give up your music, no matter where your adventures take you.
Every part of this guitar shows great craftsmanship, including the single-piece Eastern American hard maple neck that extends through the body and the attractive Walnut wood fretboard. The matte black finish adds to its stylish appearance, resulting in an instrument that’s not only functional but also artistically designed.
The guitar’s lightweight and small design causes a slight neck dive, making the guitar a bit unstable. And the re-stringing process is a bit hard to get used to as it is different than other guitars. But these are minor issues that players can get used to with some patience.
Setting up your sound is easy with the dual rail humbucker pickup, which minimizes noise while providing a powerful electric sound. The guitar also features a hidden tuning system inside the body and a removable lap rest, ensuring convenience and practicality.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Full 24 3/4″ scale length
- Great for travel, fits in airline overhead bins
- High-output dual-rail humbucker pickup
- Detachable lap rest for easy transport
- Good value for the price
- Comes with a gig bag
Cons
- Difficult restringing process
- Slight neck dive due to small size
Specs
- Body Material: Maple
- Neck Material: Maple
- Fretboard Material: Walnut Wood
- Frets: 24 Stainless Steel
- Scale: 24.75”
- Pickups: H Dual-Rail Humbucker
- Guitar Bridge System: Adjustable Bridge
- Controls and Switches: Volume, gain, and tone controls
- Colors: Matte Black, Torino Red, Gloss Black, Slime Green, Vintage White, Maple
- Rechargeable battery with 4 hours of battery life
5. Jamstik Studio
The Jamstik Studio MIDI Guitar is a portable electric guitar that allows you to create digital music using analog and digital capabilities. It is the perfect guitar for composers, guitarists, and songwriters to force the limits of their creativity. With its portable, compact, 24-fret headless design and three-quarter body size, have a full 25.5″ scale length along with a mahogany body with a maple and rosewood neck; it’s comfortable and durable for hours of inspiration.
One great feature is its compatibility with MIDI controllers, allowing you to use it in digital audio workstations directly. I appreciate the MPE options and superior MIDI tracking compared to other products. With Jamstik Creator software, you’ll have over 100 custom instrument presets for your MIDI production and device setup. Easily connect to various devices through the USB C-A connection for MIDI-Out and easy charging.
Though setting it up and dealing with firmware updates can be exhausting, once that’s done, you’ll have the option for wireless Bluetooth connectivity. Discover musical ideas with iOS, Mac, or PC devices. Also, access mobile and computer-based guitar tutorials through Jamstik Learning Portal. This product suits both aspiring musicians and experienced artists like me, enhancing creativity and making composting more efficient.
Pros
- Better MIDI tracking than competitors
- MPE options available
- Great for composing and recording
- Compatible with many DAWs, VSTs, and music apps
- Compact, travel-friendly design
- Both analog and digital capabilities
- Comes with an accessory pack
Cons
- Setup and firmware update issues
- Slow response time and sustain for some users
- Requires a different approach to fretting and playing
- Not ideal for use as a guitar synthesizer
Specs
- Body Material: Mahogany
- Neck Material: Maple
- Fretboard Material: Rosewood
- Frets: 24
- Scale: 25.5″
- Pickups: HH Humbuckers and coil tap for single coil use
- Guitar Bridge System: Adjustable Bridge
- Controls and Switches: Volume, gain, and tone controls
- Colors: Matte Black, Torino Red, Gloss Black, Slime Green, Vintage White, Maple
- Connectivity: USB-C, 3.5mm TRS-MIDI, and Bluetooth Wireless options
- Jamstik Creator Software: Custom-built VST/Plugin for MIDI music production
- Compatibility: iOS, Mac, and PC devices
- Accessories: Custom padded gig bag, USB C to A cable & adapter, 3.5 TRS-MIDI cable, 1/4″ guitar cable, and guitar pick
6. Strandberg Sälen Jazz NX
Strandberg Sälen Jazz NX is a highly progressive headless guitar with a unique design that brings both the modern and traditional worlds together. With its semi-hollow chambered body and dual humbuckers, it provides highly warm and rich tones. Furthermore, with the multi-scale fingerboard on the carbon fiber-reinforced mahogany neck, it offers amazing playability.
The guitar shines with its high playability with its unique neck with the rear-shafted trapezoid shape. This EndurNeck relaxes the hand amazingly, leading to fewer injuries and more stamina when playing.
The dual humbuckers provide a rich vintage tone, as they are modeled after the iconic ’59 PAF pickups. The guitar’s sonic versatility is pretty impressive as it performs well with many genres, from jazz to heavy metal.
While the guitar’s progressive design may not satisfy fundamentalist guitarists, it offers so much that I’m sure it will excite as many. The price may seem a bit high, but for the value you are getting, it is totally worth it.
Pros
- Highly warm tones with the semi-hollow body
- Innovative design with both modern and traditional features
- High sonic versatility
- Great playability with the multi-scale neck
- High-quality build
- Comfortable instrument
Cons
- High-end instrument
- The design may be too “modern” for some
Specs
- Body Material: Mahogany
- Neck Material: Mahogany
- Fretboard Material: Indian Rosewood
- Frets: 24, Jescar Stainless Steel
- Scale: 25″ – 25.5″, Multi-scale
- Pickups: HH Strandberg MF Classic Humbuckers
- Guitar Bridge System: Adjustable Bridge
- Controls and Switches: Master volume, Master tone, 5-way blade pickup switch
- Colors: Burgundy, Natural
7. Steinberger GTPROBK1 Guitar
The Steinberger Spirit GT-PRO Deluxe is a modern-looking headless guitar with a stylish, lightweight, and easy-to-play design. It’s great for musicians on the go, as its unique shape is easy to carry around. The design is innovative and shows that small guitars can still have excellent features.
A special double-ball tuning system makes this guitar stand out, giving it amazing tuning stability and accuracy. Thanks to this, you can spend less time worrying about tuning and more time playing. The guitar also helps you stay in tune and prevents strings from slipping out of place.
The guitar’s setup out-of-the-box is not great, but luckily the action is pretty easy to adjust. Also, the stock pickups are not the best-sounding ones, but for an affordable travel guitar, they get the job done.
The guitar’s playability, stability, and sound are further improved by the neck-through construction with a 3-part hard maple neck. The maple body wings give the guitar a bright and resonant sound. An adjustable truss rod adds even more stability, and the rosewood fretboard makes playing a breeze. In short, it is a great travel guitar for a highly reasonable price.
Pros
- Great for travel
- Comes with padded gig bag
- Easy to adjust action and hardware
- Unique design
- R-Trem Locking Tremolo with patented double bridge
- Durable construction
- Thru-neck design for stability
Cons
- Requires set-up out of the box
- Stock pick-ups are not the best
- Requires special strings
- Not necessarily the best choice for a first guitar
Specs
- Body Material: Basswood
- Neck Material: Maple
- Fretboard Material: Rosewood
- Frets: 24
- Scale: 25.5″
- Pickups: HSH-Steinberger HB-2 (Neck) , Steinberger SC-1 (Middle), Steinberger HB-1 (Bridge)
- Guitar Bridge System: Locking R-Trem tremolo system
- Controls and Switches: Master volume, Master tone, 5-way blade pickup switch
- Colors: Black, White, Red, Yellow
8. Escape Mark III MK3
Picture a compact guitar that fits your busy lifestyle while still providing the incredible playability and warm sound of a full-sized instrument. That’s what Escape Mark III MK3 offers, with its mahogany neck and body design. No more settling for less when it comes to playing and comfort while traveling or practicing! With its great feel and portability, it is the ultimate travel companion for acoustic guitar lovers.
A unique aspect of this travel guitar is its specially designed-internal tuning system. It removes the need for a headstock, making the instrument even more compact and easy to carry. Additionally, the built-in Shadow headphone amplifier allows for private, clear practice sessions, perfect for late-night jams without bothering others.
The guitar’s acoustic sound is quite unexpected for its size. You can also use it with headphones or with an amp, thanks to the piezo pickup and the built-in amp but be aware that the pickup is not great as it sounds a bit thin.
Furthermore, the guitar is not only enjoyable to play but also comes with features that make it simple and fun to use. The integrated chromatic tuner ensures fast, accurate tuning, and the control panel with volume, treble, and bass adjustments lets you easily customize your sound. So, pick up this amazing travel guitar and never miss an opportunity to play while on the go.
Pros
- Compact and portable design for travel
- Full-scale 25.5″ in a tiny, almost uke-like design
- Built-in custom headphone amp for private practice
- Shadow Preamp for good acoustic sound
- Aux-in to jam with favorite tracks
- Built-in chromatic tuner
- Stylish, high-quality construction
- Comes with a durable, deluxe gig bag
Cons
- Pickup issues
- Thin sound when using the piezo pickup
- Tuners may feel sticky and difficult to turn
Specs
- Acoustic-electric hybrid travel guitar
- Body Material: Mahogany
- Neck Material: Mahogany
- Fretboard Material: Walnut
- Frets: 22
- Scale: 25.5″
- Pickups: Shadow Nanoflex
- Hardware: Anodised machine heads, headphone amp, tuner
- Colors: Alder, Mahogany, Black
- Battery Type: 2 AAA alkaline batteries required (included)
9. Ibanez QX52
Ibanez QX52 is a boundary-shattering headless S-type guitar that comes with a nyatoh body, giving it a special warmth and sound while creating a versatile tone for different music styles. It’s perfect for blues, rock, or jazz because of its tonal depth and natural resonance. I enjoy its easy-to-play feel and lightweight design.
The guitar also features a strong and stable maple/bubinga neck that can handle lots of use. The Maple fretboard adds a bright, energetic sound that’s fun to play and sounds good. Overall, it offers a great balance of stability and clear sound.
The dual humbucking pickups provide many tone options for various music styles. You can easily switch between warm, deep sounds and sharp, bright tones, making it great for musicians who play many genres. Changing your sound with this electric guitar is easy – just plug in and discover a wide variety of tones. The only downside is that it requires setup out of the box.
Pros
- Excellent playability
- Lightweight design
- Great neck with smooth maple
- Low action and excellent fretwork
- Balanced and visually appealing design
Cons
- Needs setup out of the box
- Angled frets require some adjustment
Specs
- Body Material: Nyatoh
- Neck Material: Maple
- Fretboard Material: Maple
- Frets: 24
- Scale: 25.5″
- Pickups: HH-Q58 Humbuckers
- Control and Switches: 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone, 5-way blade pickup switch
- Guitar Bridge System: Ibanez Mono Tune
- Colors: Flat Black, Laser Blue Matte, Antique Brown Stained
10. Asmuse Foldable Electric Guitar
Asmuse Foldable Electric Guitar has a unique design for easy tuning and high portability. It’s perfect for practicing in small spaces and carrying around. The locking nut keeps the strings in tune, so you can play confidently.
However, there are some issues with the unpolished frets and locking mechanism. But, still, the maple neck and rosewood fretboard provide great playability for uninterrupted creativity.
With the foldable design, you can say goodbye to large guitar cases! Its portable design makes setting up for gigs or jam sessions quick and easy, as well as making it the perfect traveling companion. The aluminum alloy body ensures durability for road trips and outdoor performances.
This clever electric guitar has a built-in headphone amp for quiet playing. Plus, the 5-way toggle switch and adjustable volume and tone controls let you experiment with different sounds, allowing you to explore your creativity fully.
Pros
- Great for practice and small spaces
- Foldable and portable design
- Good range of tones
- Active pickups reduce buzz
- Headless design helps maintain tuning
- Built-in headphone amplifier
- Rechargeable battery with 8-hour life
- Sturdy and lightweight aluminum alloy body
- CNC processing for durability
Cons
- May have sharp, unpolished frets
- Slide-out piece may not lock securely
- Small fretboard and side dots
- No auxiliary input
Specs
- Body Material: Aluminum alloy
- Neck Material: Maple
- Fretboard Material: Rosewood
- Frets: 24
- Scale: 25.5″
- Pickups: HSS-P-KD40 (bridge), dual P-KD30 (middle and neck)
- Control and Switches: Headphone Amplifier Volume, Guitar Volume, and Change Tone knobs, 5-way toggle pickup switch
- Guitar Bridge System: Special Modular Bridge
- Colors: Flat Black, Laser Blue Matte, Antique Brown Stained
- Silent Design: Built-in headphone amplifier and rechargeable battery (works for 8 hours)
What is a Headless Guitar?
A headless guitar is a type of guitar that does not have a headstock at the end of the neck where tuning pegs are typically located. Instead, the tuning mechanisms are located at the bridge or body of the guitar, resulting in a more compact and ergonomic design.
Buyers Guide
Advantages of Headless Guitars
Some of the main benefits of using a headless guitar include:
Ergonomics: The lack of a headstock helps reduce weight and improve balance, making the instrument more comfortable to play for extended periods.
Tuning Stability: Headless guitars typically have a more stable tuning system, as the string tension is distributed evenly throughout the instrument.
Portability: Without a headstock, headless guitars are often smaller and more compact, making them ideal for travel, like the Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Electric.
Considerations Before Buying
Budget: Headless guitars can range in price from budget-friendly options like the EART Headless GW2 to more expensive models.
Guitar style: Consider your preferred style of music and ensure that the headless guitar you choose supports this.
Playing preferences: What features are essential to your playing style? Factor in preferences for pickups, bridge type, and neck design.
Customization: Some headless guitar brands and models may offer customization options to suit your unique playing style and personal preferences.
Essential Features and Hardware
Key features and hardware that can impact the overall performance and feel of a headless guitar include:
Pickups: Choosing the right pickups can dramatically affect the guitar’s tone, versatility, and performance in various musical styles.
Bridge: The bridge design is essential for tuning stability and sustain. Headless guitars often have unique bridge systems, like the Mono Tune Bridge found on the Ibanez QX52.
Body material: The type of wood used for the guitar body can also impact the overall tone and sustain.
Neck design: The neck construction is crucial for playability and comfort, with designs such as the 5-piece roasted maple/padauk neck found on the EART Headless GW2.
Maintenance and Care
String replacement: Regularly replace your guitar strings to maintain optimal performance and sound quality. Headless guitar strings may differ from those of traditional guitars, so ensure you purchase the correct type.
Cleaning: Keep your guitar clean and free of dust, dirt, and grime to prolong its lifespan. You can use lemon oil for the fretboard while using special oils for the body, depending on the wood.
Setup: Regularly performing a setup on your headless guitar, including checking and adjusting the action, intonation, and neck relief, will help maintain optimal playability.
FAQs
How do you tune a headless guitar?
To tune a headless guitar, you will need to use a specialized tuner that is designed to work with the specific type of bridge and tuning system used on your instrument. Some headless guitar models may also have onboard tuning systems that allow for quick and easy tuning adjustments.
Are headless guitars less durable than traditional guitars?
Headless guitars are typically designed for performance and portability and, as such, may be built with materials that prioritize lightweight construction and ease of use over durability. However, they are still made to withstand regular use and should last for many years with proper care and maintenance.
Are headless guitars more difficult to play than traditional guitars?
While headless guitars may feel different due to their unique design, they are generally not any more difficult to play than traditional guitars and can actually be easier to navigate thanks to their streamlined shape and balanced weight distribution.
Conclusion
Headless guitars are innovative instruments that are essential for any modern musician. With their portable and lightweight design, they provide great comfort to the players, while their unique shape without headstocks offers great tuning stability even in down tuning.
My top pick headless guitar is the Ibanez Q54 Quest Series with its high versatility, great build quality, and feature-packed design, as well as its quite affordable price for a guitar like that.
As the affordable option, I recommend the EART GW2 Headless Electric Guitar, which offers great sound quality and durability for the price with its poplar burl veneer top and stainless steel frets.
For the budget-friendly pick, I would go with the EART GW2 Headless Electric Guitar, which comes with a stunning look, high-quality stainless steel frets, great sound for the price, and the comfortable playing experience it provides.
Featured Image (Left) by: “1991 Steinberger Sceptre electric guitar” by tawalker is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Featured Image (Right) by: “File:John Ellison.jpg” by Skot Nelson is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
