Background/Intro

I love how a headless bass feels. The lack of a headstock makes it much shorter and much easier to move around without whacking something with the headstock. That makes it easier to play in cramped environments (like my study at home where I practice a lot, or my office at work) - and the gigs I usually play tend to be very space-challenged.

I'm also very sensitive to neck size and general bass geometry. I've got hand/wrist issues (tendonitis, I think) from my work as a s/w architect/engineer/developer, chores around the house, carrying small and larger children and playing bass as my #1 hobby. I use an ergonomic keyboard and alternative pointing devices (trackball, touch pad) and can avoid any problems as long as my basses "fit exactly right". I can't do 5-strings, even with very skinny necks (a Fernandes Retrospect 5X w/1-5/8" nut width was "close but no cigar") or even wider necked 4-strings (a G&L #5 neck w/1.75" wide nut was right out as was a MTD Beast w/1.625" nut width). And if the layout of the bass is "non traditional" (like no upper horn or the like) that can also cause me grief. I love my Reverend Rumblefish but the shorter upper horn makes it so that I can't play it if I'm having a "bad wrist week".

I'm also somewhat limited in the funds I can put into my basses/gear. I've got plenty invested from my point of view. But when I look at headless basses and what I'd like - well David King makes super nice basses and I'm sure I'd love one. But I can't spring for that. And the same goes for the other custom makers who could provide a headless that does what I want. Status Graphite basses are too wide at the nut (1.625") for me to try one out (and pretty expensive). USA Steinbergers seem like they might work but even the XQ and XM upper horns are a bit short of what I think I need.

I've tried a number of the XT and XZ Spirits from MusicYo. They are decent basses. Reasonably well made, resonant, light, fun to play. The electronics leave something to be desired but those are the easiest things to fix. So I've arrived at the point of trying to modify a Spirit XZ-2 to "work" for me as far as geometry and feel. If I can do that then I'll tweak the sound to satisfy me.

Concept/Design

The extension will not be a remaking of the upper horn. It will be a "plate" that is screwed to the body of the bass and extends out. Probably made out of wood (cheapest and easiest to work with).

I did try mocking up a "bar" that would extend out from the neck joint to the point I wanted and did not like the look of it at all. I might try that on other basses of mine (Godin A4, Reverend Rumblefish 4) that I would not be willing to do this kind of modification to and see how it works. That would be similar to ASATMan's ASAT strap extension hook (a similar concept is used on the new Steinberger Synapse).

Implementation

I've picked up my materials at Lowes and am ready to begin. I found some 1/4" poplar (chosen over oak as I've had poplar bodied basses and they sounded good), wood screws and some T-nuts and bolts (for attaching the strap button) and plan to dig out a lock washer from my bunch-o-stuff on my workbench. My planned steps:

• Layout the bass on the board and trace the existing upper horn. Sketch out the horn extension.
• Cut the board to approximate shape, leaving any extra length beyond the planned 12th fret location.
• Screw extension to bass and attach strap button in proposed location using a small wood screw.
• Try it out for a week and see if this fixes the ergonomic issue I have with playing this bass.
• If not relocate strap button and try again (repeat as needed).
• Once satisfied trim, shape and finish - spray black with either flat (to hide) or gloss (to blend) poly coating
• "Permanently" attach strap button to extension and extension to bass.
• Gig, practice, enjoy the headless life . . .

Results

Futures

There are a couple options for "next steps" in my headless quest:

If the geometry of the modified XZ works for me then I need to do some work on its electronics. Step one there would be upgraded pots & output jack (I'd do a blend/vol/tone setup). Step two would be pickup replacement. I'm thinking either Rio Grande Pitbulls for a drop-in replacement (cost about $100 per pickup) or, if the would work, G&L MFD humbuckers (only ~$50 per pickup but routing required). In either case I'd put in separate series/parallel switches for the pickups.

One idea is a semi-custom. Either a Spirit neck and hardware on a custom body or a Moses neck and ABM or Status Graphite hardware on a custom body.

Another simpler idea, if everything works, is to do some work on a Spirit XT. Either roll my own pivot plate or just a simple extender. I like the XT because if it's super-small size. It makes a great backup or alternatively tuned bass to bring to a gig (or take on a trip). My only qualm is that I like white on these better than black, but am thinking one with a detuner bridge would be cool (even if I moved the bridge to the XZ) and you can't get an XT-2db in white.