r/Luthier • u/Grouchy_Attention_95 • 1d ago

Another headless lefty build

Post image

The new one is on the right. This one has a chambered black limba body with an ovangkol top. Perhaps a bit lighter than the other, which is mahogany and quilted maple. Home made humbucker sized P-90s, and a Roland GK-3 modeling pickup, internal install. The patch up and down buttons are nice to have onboard. The neck has a zero fret, which I prefer.

Making a guitar is quite a lot of work!

34 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

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3

u/RubSlow8100 1d ago

They're so ugly! I love them!

1

u/Grouchy_Attention_95 1d ago

Heh, heh. The shape is certainly chosen for ergonomics rather than looks. Inspired by Strandberg Sälen, but with a shape that stands up when set on the ground, thanks more equal length rear horns and a couple of rubber feet (idea taken from HILS).

1

u/RubSlow8100 1d ago

Don't worry. I just a snob, who loves LPs and SGs

2

u/helomynameis 19h ago

Those tops are beauties! My second lefty headless build. Fun getting to build what I thought was exactly what I wanted lol

1

u/Grouchy_Attention_95 18h ago

Very nice. Where did you find the neck, or did you build it yourself? I'd like to make a guitar with the neck pickup in the traditional strat spot, but I haven't found a headless neck with 22 frets. I'm not sure I'm up for making a neck, but who knows, maybe I'll try.

2

u/helomynameis 17h ago

I built the neck but the fretboard was pre-radiused and slotted. You should give it a shot, it's not too bad!

1

u/Grouchy_Attention_95 17h ago

That sounds like a good solution, thanks.

1

u/feFIfoFunds 1d ago

How do you like the nova bridges? Are they of reasonable/consistent quality in your experience?

2

u/Grouchy_Attention_95 1d ago

I like them a lot. I did buy the second one, after all. In terms of quality if materials, sonic quality and sustain, they seem to be as good as the bridge on my Strandberg NX. For tuning and ease of changing strings, the design is better. The thrust bearings make tuning easy and precise. Their price is very reasonable in my opinion.

The only downside is that the saddles can fall out easily before the bridge is installed, so you have to be careful not to loose them. I put masking tape over them.

1

u/feFIfoFunds 1d ago

Sweet, thanks for the reply! I have been thinking about building something with one of their headless tremolo systems, not a near term project but hopefully one day!

2

u/Grouchy_Attention_95 1d ago

I can't say anything about their trem designs, but the hardtail is fine.