Headless, fanned frets, *and* tremolo opinions?

Dpoirier

Dpoirier

Fractal Fanatic
Hey everyone,

I hsve GAS and would love to explore a new guitar. I'm a very slow and deliberate buyer, so I'm doing research and enjoying it. Usually, when something intrigues me enough, I go try it out. In this case, what I'm very intrigued about is not that easy to find in my little Ottawa neighbourhood. So I'm looking for some opinions.

I keep reading fantastic reviews of headless guitars, particularly Strandbergs... but most (all?) of the latter have fanned frets. And I also see many reviews that are positive about fanned frets except with tremolo where users complain about difficult tuning, and very uncomfortable for the wrist and forearm. But there are many more reviews without the tremolo, so I thought I'd check y'all wizards' opinions. There's gotta be some people here who had similar needs and tried something (be it Strandberg or something else).

So, headless + most-probably fanned frets + imperatively tremolo = what? Pure joy or nightmare?

Thanks in advance!
 
I am left-handed, so the choice of guitar is sometimes a little limited.
I really like headless guitars, for the look, the weight, the ease of transport.

Before switching to Strandberg, I mainly played a Kiesel Osiris. An excellent instrument but I didn't really like the vibrato which I found too massive and the string change quite delicate! in 2025 Kiesel offers an evolution of the saddles.

Today I mainly use 2 Strandberg Boden
a NX6 T model and a NX6 Standard model.
I find the playability of these guitars really very good, the fanned frets did not cause me any apadatation problems, nor did the endurneck profile of the neck on the contrary it is very comfortable to play.
I replaced the microphones with models more suited to my style of music.

I find the Strandberg vibrato generally better than the one offered on the Osiris. The tuning is good, I'm not a big user of vibrato.
 
And theres always a couple used aristides posted on fb between ottawa and toronto.

My opinion is headless isnt an interest. I did get to briefly try a strandberg at my techs and the endurneck is interesting but didnt sway me.
 
I had a chance to try out a Strandberg Boden Plini model and an Aristides HO6 for just over a week. The difference in quality is pretty drastic with the Aristides standing head(less) and shoulders above the Strandberg. The tuning is easier and feels much more solid. Also, the Aristides is louder acoustically and has more resonance.
I'll take the strap off when sitting down as the strap locks will vibrate against the strap lock pins if there isn't the weight of the guitar applying tension on them. There is no strap lock vibration when standing using the strap locks.
 
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Riccardo Ros said:
Just food for thoughts... Italian luthier Ceccarini is getting a lot of international attention: https://www.ceccariniguitars.it/en-gb/?language=en-gb

Click to expand...

Something funny going on here. The stuff is way too cheap for it to be a one man operation. I suspect a lot of external OEM production involved.
I don’t know but the website is pretty suspiciously lacking in actual information and workshop pictures.
 
Dpoirier said:
So, headless + most-probably fanned frets + imperatively tremolo = what? Pure joy or nightmare?
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First you have to answer the question, “Fanned frets = pure joy or nightmare?”

That’s a personal thing, and you’ll never know your answer until you let your hands find out.
 
Rex said:
First you have to answer the question, “Fanned frets = pure joy or nightmare?”
Click to expand...
On a Strandberg the difference between fanned and normal is so small you barely notice. Will take a few hours to accommodate the change. The neck shape is a different thing though, that's what might be a make or break moment.
Can't speak for other brands though.
 
There are good qualities and not so much. The basic take-away from this is that what one gains in quality in one area might be lacking in another.

Case in point:

Body weight: I personally own a Strandberg Sälen Jazz NX6 Natural whose approximate weight is 5 lb. +- 10%. The weight is one of the primary concerns for my purchase. If perhaps you are younger than 50 years old you may not feel the need to own lighter weight guitars. Part of my tone quest the past 5 years has been one of trying to locate gear that prevents back injury. Age 66 y.o. means you gotta pick what health hassle you least want to deal with. Anything that doesn't aggravate my health I'm entirely happy with.

Neck profile: The ErgoDyne neck feels comfortable and as if it were well-played prior to my ownership. The neck is sanded and feels smooth. The angled design is something you get used to quickly. The fact that Strandberg necks lack noted curvature or defined profile really doesn't matter that much. The angled neck is comfortable and easy to play.

Frets: Stainless Steel, Fanned, Tru-Temperment. Most all of Strandberg's designs consist of the fanned tru-temperment frets. There are some entry level and lower cost designs that are straight non-fanned. The stainless steel frets are nicely polished without noticeable fret tang, sharp edges, or snag.

Tuners: Regards tuners, this is where my only concern about tuning easily might occur. The tuners are located as part of the bridge system some with or without a tremolo. Because the hunters are spaced closely together, there might be some slight confusion as to what note one is currently tuning. Simply monitoring your device's tuner as you select your string tuner eventually becomes intuitive, and instead of going with it, you grow with it. Nice, huh?

Pickups: Again, one of the variables that needs improvement. My Sälen Jazz NX6 has Suhr nickel covered Thornbuckers in the neck and bridge. I'm personally satisfied with these. Others may not be so satisfied with uncovered "OEM pickups." The OEMs somewhat define the way a Strandberg sounds, and they typically are higher output wound (hotter sounding) than vintage PAF types.

All in all, Strandberg's R&D team has done most of the preparatory work that has brought a recent upstart company into the view of many progressive artists who seem to be leading the way regards the future of progressive rock, jazz, and fusion. It's interesting to note that because Ola Strandberg has interactively worked with guitarists who can suggest ways of improving the design, Strandberg Guitars has quickly made its way into the mainstream of quality instruments. As Ola refines his build processes, we may see greater variety with greater respect to artistic value. Until that time, Strandberg's price point should not need vary that much for the existing quality already being built into Strandberg's design.
 
bleujazz3 said:
There are good qualities and not so much. The basic take-away from this is that what one gains in quality in one area might be lacking in another.

Case in point:

Body weight: I personally own a Strandberg Sälen Jazz NX6 Natural whose approximate weight is 5 lb. +- 10%. The weight is one of the primary concerns for my purchase. If perhaps you are younger than 50 years old you may not feel the need to own lighter weight guitars. Part of my tone quest the past 5 years has been one of trying to locate gear that prevents back injury. Age 66 y.o. means you gotta pick what health hassle you least want to deal with. Anything that doesn't aggravate my health I'm entirely happy with.

Neck profile: The ErgoDyne neck feels comfortable and as if it were well-played prior to my ownership. The neck is sanded and feels smooth. The angled design is something you get used to quickly. The fact that Strandberg necks lack noted curvature or defined profile really doesn't matter that much. The angled neck is comfortable and easy to play.

Frets: Stainless Steel, Fanned, Tru-Temperment. Most all of Strandberg's designs consist of the fanned tru-temperment frets. There are some entry level and lower cost designs that are straight non-fanned. The stainless steel frets are nicely polished without noticeable fret tang, sharp edges, or snag.

Tuners: Regards tuners, this is where my only concern about tuning easily might occur. The tuners are located as part of the bridge system some with or without a tremolo. Because the hunters are spaced closely together, there might be some slight confusion as to what note one is currently tuning. Simply monitoring your device's tuner as you select your string tuner eventually becomes intuitive, and instead of going with it, you grow with it. Nice, huh?

Pickups: Again, one of the variables that needs improvement. My Sälen Jazz NX6 has Suhr nickel covered Thornbuckers in the neck and bridge. I'm personally satisfied with these. Others may not be so satisfied with uncovered "OEM pickups." The OEMs somewhat define the way a Strandberg sounds, and they typically are higher output wound (hotter sounding) than vintage PAF types.

All in all, Strandberg's R&D team has done most of the preparatory work that has brought a recent upstart company into the view of many progressive artists who seem to be leading the way regards the future of progressive rock, jazz, and fusion. It's interesting to note that because Ola Strandberg has interactively worked with guitarists who can suggest ways of improving the design, Strandberg Guitars has quickly made its way into the mainstream of quality instruments. As Ola refines his build processes, we may see greater variety with greater respect to artistic value. Until that time, Strandberg's price point should not need vary that much for the existing quality already being built into Strandberg's design.
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Is there a Salen Jazz with “ true temperament “ ?
Almost no Strandbergs are true temperament.
This it true temperament;
IMG_4381.jpeg
In case you are unsure.
 
Chromatizm said:
On a Strandberg the difference between fanned and normal is so small you barely notice. Will take a few hours to accommodate the change. The neck shape is a different thing though, that's what might be a make or break moment.
Can't speak for other brands though.
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I find on a six string it doesn’t bring much unless you drop tune. Then the longer scale on the bass side helps balance. It certainly doesn’t make playing easier.
 
Andy Eagle said:
I find on a six string it doesn’t bring much unless you drop tune.
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I'd think that's pretty much the common understanding these days. I'm surprised *S still tries marketing on these with "better tuning/playability" message.
Easier to manufacture when all your necks are aligned maybe!
 
Chromatizm said:
I'd think that's pretty much the common understanding these days. I'm surprised *S still tries marketing on these with "better tuning/playability" message.
Easier to manufacture when all your necks are aligned maybe!
Click to expand...
The fan on my Aristides is far better from a player perspective. I don’t like the fan on The Strandberg being weighted entirely to the upper register.
 
Chromatizm said:
How big is the difference? Looking at the photos alone I can't spot the difference
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The Strandberg starts with the frets at a right angle to the neck. The frets tilt progressively forward as you move up the neck. Fret 1 is vertical.

The Aristides starts with the frets tilted backward, and then they start to tilt forward as you move up the neck. Fret 7 is the vertical fret.
 
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