r/HeadlessGuitars

Can headless guitars be tuned low.. or do they go flubby and only work standard tuning.

I a planning to buy hils headless 6 string hn3.

Will it tune low like my fender telecaster deluxe. ? I'll use thicker gauge strings maybe 11 52

EDIT: I’d prefer something without a body pack that needs to be clipped on somewhere since I don’t always wear a strap when I play at home.

I’m wondering what kind of wireless system, if any, people use with their Bodens. I have a Fishman Airlock set that I use with my other (standard S-style) guitars and basses, but its size, and the position of the input jack on my Pitch Black Singularity NX7, make it extremely awkward to use.

Basically, it’ll work, but it sticks out at such a weird angle that it hits my body/legs constantly and I’m worried it’ll eventually ruin the input by getting banged around all the time or breaking off and leaving the metal part of the plug stuck in the jackhole (ha ha, jackhole!). At the very least, it’ll scratch the hell out of the guitar body around the input jack.

I know guitars are made to be played and develop dings over time, but I don’t want to abuse the crap out of it needlessly when I could sub in some different gear to extend the life — and looks — of what is otherwise a ridiculously comfortable and well-designed guitar.

For reference, the link below is the one I currently use. You can see that it has two pivot points, and none of the angles I’ve tried have come anywhere close to solving the problem. It’s a great piece of kit for more standard jack placements, so I’m not knocking it — it just doesn’t work well with Strandbergs.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AirLock--fishman-airlock-wireless-instrument-system

P.S. I was originally going to title this post “Help Me Jack It Wirelessly!” so feel free to go off in the comments. 😂

Was at Thomann yesterday and got to try a Hils HZ7, liked it so much I took it home for 699€, as I was in the market for a headless 7 string anyway.

Three disclaimers:

1. As it all is super fresh, take it with a grain of salt.
2. I have gotten a model from the warehouse and have not bought the showroom model.
3. No setup work has been done as of yet

Good:
- no sharp fret edges
- frets seem level enough in regular playing
- nut cut okay could be a tad lower, but nothing outrageous
- finish is good
- factory setup is okay, definitley playable, but room for improvement

Neutral (because a "personal issue"):
The stock pickups are okay for B Standard/Drop A.
I will likley swap them for something of a higher grade (mby BK Halcyon), as I plan on tuning to Drop F# with the guitar and I can not see the pickups performing to well that low, as they have tons of low end.

The placement of the output jack seems rather weird, for a guitar that is supposed to be ergonomic.
When sitting I play in classical position, and with a straight cable, it is digging uncomfortably into my right thigh.

Bad:
- active circuit is (imho) more of a unneccesary gimick rather than something actually useful, as you can not engage or adjust it on the fly (adjustment is in the electronics cavity)
- tuners are very stiff and hard to turn at times, I am resorting to using a Warwick Rock N Ruler to turn the tuners
- pots and switch are scratchy/noisy out of the box

Overall very impressed and it can hold its own among my other more expensive guitars (USA King V, PRS CE, Ibanez Prestige).
It is obviously not on the same level but it is punching way above its price point.

Hi everyone! I've been very happy with my Hils HN3 so far, but the tuners are incredibly stiff. I looked into the tuner upgrade but it ships from America, I don't want to pay crazy shipping costs for 6 bearings. Does anyone know the specs, or where to find fitting ones in Europe?

I was wondering if it would make more sense to buy the hardtail HILS guitar as the tremolo is proprietary and in case it breaks there is no substitute available? Well, you might be able to buy from them but they could have moved on to a newer version or gone out of business or w/e.

I hear that basically every tremolo system is prone to wear and tear so just being cautious.

Also: can anyone please honestly say if the neck is fat or not?

I have a hils hn3 and love the guitar, it restringing has been an nightmare. Getting the ball ends to stay in the bridge is practically impossible. The one time I was able to do it, the string was still too long and I ran out of tuning space. Does anyone have any pointers? Also, has anyone tried a Kyber headless and had any similar issues with restringing? I'd love a Kyber but if I have to struggle with restringing, I'll just stick to headstocks.