Vertical “classical” neck position headless guitars

**jeromecovington** · 05-11-2026, 07:22 PM

I keep returning to the headless form factor. I’ve been getting a lot of enjoyment and practice time on a HILS HNT1, due to a body shape that facilitates a vertical “classical” neck position when balancing the lower bout cutout on the right knee.

I would like to continue exploring options with this form factor, but I am not at this time interested in multiscale necks. So that would seem to rule out the Salen Jazz. I also find the aesthetics of the more shredder oriented shapes (for lack of a better term) a bit out of place with my usual style of playing.

Can anyone recommend a headless guitar with the lower bout cutout I might have missed?

**srs** · 05-11-2026, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by jeromecovington

I

Can anyone recommend a headless guitar with the lower bout cutout I might have missed?

Forshage’s Orion model . What’s the neck width at the nut on the HILS HNT1?

**lammie200** · 05-12-2026, 12:26 PM

All I can say is to make sure you play one before you commit. I built a cheap Steinberger knock off and just didn't like the balance of the neck. It's like I am so used to playing conventional guitars with headstocks, I didn't think I was gaining anything with a headless. In fact I was losing something.

**marcwhy** · 05-12-2026, 12:57 PM

Budget??

I've been playing Forshage's for over 20 years (and sold a Klein to get my first Forshage), and love them!!

There are a couple "klein-style" guitars on Reverb (in the UK) for <$1000 usd; otherwise, the "real" models are several thousand, and rarely in a "local shop," which makes demoing them near impossible. ["Used" is the way to go!]

Happy hunting!

**jeromecovington** · 05-12-2026, 02:55 PM

Thanks for the responses. I played a guitar with a Klein style body for a number of years. And while I enjoyed it, what I am searching for now are options with a second cutout near the back end of the lower bout that allows for balancing the neck even more vertically, akin to the Strandbergs I’ve seen (or my Hils HNT1). I am not interested exclusively in budget guitars.

**jeromecovington** · 05-12-2026, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by srs

Forshage’s Orion model . What’s the neck width at the nut on the HILS HNT1?

I’m not sure and don’t have it handy, but it seems wider then those with Steinberger hardware.

**GuyBoden** · 05-12-2026, 03:50 PM

Steinberger

But, I prefer the Strandberg shape.

**jeromecovington** · 05-12-2026, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by GuyBoden

But, I prefer the Strandberg shape.

Indeed. I have yet to play a Standberg. I think I’d like the Salen Jazz very much but am wary of multiscale fretboards, to say nothing of the Endurneck profile. (I’ve yet to play either.) Maybe I’ll go ahead and order one and see what I think. I can keep an open mind!

**marcwhy** · 05-12-2026, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by jeromecovington

Indeed. I have yet to play a Standberg. I think I’d like the Salen Jazz very much but am wary of multiscale fretboards, to say nothing of the Endurneck profile. (I’ve yet to play either.) Maybe I’ll go ahead and order one and see what I think. I can keep an open mind!

The fan on these is fairly short, so I wouldn't be too worried about that. I played a Novax semi-hollowbody for years (a wonderful guitar!) which was 25-27" scale - quite a bit! I helped Ralph Novak at NAMM for a few years, and most people who stopped and played barely noticed a left-hand difference!

**Jthompson48** · 05-12-2026, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by jeromecovington

Indeed. I have yet to play a Standberg. I think I’d like the Salen Jazz very much but am wary of multiscale fretboards, to say nothing of the Endurneck profile. (I’ve yet to play either.) Maybe I’ll go ahead and order one and see what I think. I can keep an open mind!

I think it's worth a try. I didn't find the multiscale or neck shape to be problematic.

**jeromecovington** · 05-13-2026, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by Jthompson48

I think it's worth a try. I didn't find the multiscale or neck shape to be problematic.

I think I may. For those who like multiscale (with or without the EndurNeck profile), is chord melody playing problematic as you move further up the neck?

**marcwhy** · 05-13-2026, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by jeromecovington

I think I may. For those who like multiscale (with or without the EndurNeck profile), is chord melody playing problematic as you move further up the neck?

No. Further up the neck it's more "normal."

**GuyBoden** · 05-14-2026, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by jeromecovington

I think I may. For those who like multiscale (with or without the EndurNeck profile), is chord melody playing problematic as you move further up the neck?

The Strandberg 6 string guitars have a very slight fan.

The Endura neck is excellent for thumb behind the neck playing (Classical style playing), but not as good for "Thumb over neck" playing. This is only my personal experience, everyone is different.

**Jthompson48** · 05-15-2026, 02:53 PM

Just saw a listing for a Sire headless and thought of this thread. I've never played one, but Sires seem to be generally pretty well regarded.

Sire Larry Carlton X6 Headless Electric Guitar - Black Satin – Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center

**jeromecovington** · 05-19-2026, 06:47 PM

I’m taking a serious look (and listen) at the Bootlegger Absinthe Jazz / Suissesse as an option with the body shape I want and with a slight fan, but a standard rounded neck profile. Anyone here with experience?

**coolvinny** · 05-20-2026, 06:19 PM

not sure what your budget is, but Wright Guitars (Rossco Wright, who previously owned Soloette) are amazing. Rossco Wright Guitar Builder

I have one. I should play it more, but then again I should just play more in general vs. years gone by. However I can say the quality is on par with the premier luthiers...of which I've owned quite a few.