I recommend the multi scale option. I own ten Kiesels and my last 3 were multi scale. I just don’t play the others as much anymore because of the fretboard.

I like the top but that edge with the lighter wood underneath kind of looks like the corner broke off. Maybe if the color difference wasn't so drastic.

You're right. I had two mayones duvell (elite and mbc). It was the same problem , the neck -dive , most on mbc but also on elite . The sound was great but I sold them. Now I have one duvell standard , no neck-dive maybe because it's no wenge wood in neck and the body is heavy. Also the sound is very good.

Mostly individualistic advice. When did a 7lb guitar become heavy? Lol

I recently got a used duvell 7 which was bought before the „rework“ in 2019. It got a smooth maple neck which i like a lot more than the wenge purpleheart ones on the newer models and isn’t really neck heavy either but as you said the body cuts into your forearm quite a bit sometimes

when you buy a guitar that you customized with your specific requirements, you shouldn't be surprised at any resale difficulties. Chances of finding a buyer that wants some, many or most of your choices are low; and they can do their own custom build - which is the value add of Kiesel guitars. I'd rather buy a new Kiesel with my own customization choices.

Calling in is a must. The feedback helps avoid many other possible mistakes as well. The team has definitely steered me in the right direction and away from a bad decision.

There are tons of modern guitars with that hard edge, that are modern guitars. Anybody try the KM7 1 when it came out by schecter? Some people loved it, my forearms can't even play it for 5 minutes. Awesome guitar though in every other respect.

There are "off-menu" options? Like an In-N-Out burger? There seems to be a few videos about problems with customer service. Not that a custom guitar is on my list of Things To Do, but if it were, I'd rather it be with a company that stands behind its work, not just somewhere beside it.

I like Kiesel because they fully support headless guitars, and I think the Hipshot hardware works really well. I have ordered several, but ended up selling them because I just couldn't get used to the neck shapes- they say it's a "C" but it feels more like a "D" to me, and I was always fighting with the shoulder. I have a couple of Andersons, and the necks feel so much better in my hand.

Great video you’re exactly right. I’ve been on the hunt for a 27/28” 6 string baritone and the options are SLIM. EC1000, the BB model, Viper, it’s like the same 6 guitar options. I was going to wait to see if Sleep Token was going to release a signature 30” baritone via ESP, but that’s looking less likely as the economy continues to drag and guitar sales slump. May just bite on the Ec1000 I’d rather just have something more ‘special’ ya know.

Played one in a gc. While I agree they are weird looking; they are really comfy.

I have a Goliath which I bought in January, it's one they brough to NAMM with them, it was the first guitar I ever spent over a grand on(least at once), I've now bought 3 other Ormsby's, a Demanufacture, Copper Top Hype GTR, and a Headless V, all 7 strings.

For most people, a guitar is not an investment, in the true sense of the word. An investment would be something that you pay for, with the calculated intention to resell it for more and make profit. By this definition, the only people who invest into guitars are those who buy them with the intention to flip them (and of course, retailers). That said, I think it's better to think of a guitar as an experience. That's why I don't get it why people buy Chibson. I would never enjoy playing a Chibson. For me, playing a Gibson is about the experience. So, if we think of paying for a guitar mainly as paying for the experience, then it's worth the money, as long as we are using our disposable income. For some people it might be a great experience, worth the money, to "build your own" Kiesel. When the time comes to sell it, the guitar is a chunk of wood for most other prospective buyers. And you can't sell that "experience" that was worth it for you when you paid for it. Am I being too philosophical?

I have an Ormsby TX 7 string. My gripe is I can't change the pickups to what I want because of its baseplate/configuration and I'm really not big fan of their pickups. I agree it has quite a big chunky D-shaped neck and it's kind of difficult to play chords and fast riffs especially in the first few frets.

You should have more subscribers. I'm gonna check out your other videos.

The only good looking headless guitar is the Steinberger GM series.

I don't have a headless Ibanez, but I recently got a Cort Artisan Space 5 headless bass. It has a similar bulb at the end of the neck like the one you showed at 2:54. I'm trying to imagine the comfort issue you described, but it feels similar to a normal headstock for me. When playing lower notes or chords, I naturally position my thumb there, so it's a non-issue for me.

Sweetheart bananas...

I do that too. Like, if you're a custom builder and you offer a 6-string model with a Floyd but you don't offer a 7-string with a Floyd? You're not getting my money. So silly.

It's an interesting take. You think they are scarce, I think there are so many more options then there were just 5 years ago. It's one reason I have nearly all the Ibanez XL's from the early 00's.

.. it is probably a veneer and not a "cap" it is not a boulb.. it is a "volute" ..just to get your terms correct... (no not just the swirly thing on a violin headstock is calles volute) and the volute is a sculpted part for the transition between neck and headstock hat helps to counter a break on slanted guitar heads.. but a lot of people love them just as a hand stop if they are done in the correct position for you it is not getting in the way.. but if it is highly personal because your hands or your way to play can run into them and hinder you to get in your normal position

the NUBB is to HANG up the Guitar

I got one of the blue Ghost Fret Pros on reverb for a deent deal like 5 years ago. I love explorer style guitars. This one looks great, plays and sounds great; but its got a good amount of neck-dive which is odd for this style of guitar so unfortunately it stays in its case most of the time.

Save yourself the trouble and just don't order a Kiesel. Jeff Kiesel is an absolutely self-obsessed babyman who wouldn't be working a buffing wheel at any other company that wasn't handed down from his daddy and granddaddy.

The nub is for hanging from a normal guitar hangar like a string swing. For the neck thickness the slanted fret versions have the thinner necks. The straight fret versions have the thicker more traditional neck. I agree with you on the scale length Ibanez failed on the 7 strings especially by not going with a multiscale or longer scale on the 7s. I will say the 6 strings don't get enough love from the headless makers. The strandberg 6s have a shorter multiscale than the 7+ string versions. Ibanez could've hit a homerun if they did the 7 string in either multiscale 25.5 - 26 or even 26.5. Eventually they might but that's the main gripe from most people about the 7 string. The 6 string is solid I own an all black slant fret and I've played several straight fret models and they all play great.

Your channel is extremely underrated. I can’t wait to see it blow up

I'll call out the elephant in the room and take the hate for you...brand recognition. Just not enough people familiar with Kiesel. Doesn't say anything about quality.

Headless is a gimmick for bad guitar players in my opinion

dude I love your videos. It's refreshing having someone just talk to the camera without all the KZbin fluff. no lofi background music, obnoxious pinging noises, no annoying "like share subscribe". really good information you are putting out there

Having played one in a music store they are so nice, I want one to travel with. They are definitely going for a headless strat over a headless modern metal machine, Ibanez may be the shred machine brand but don't forget they also build really nice hollow bodies, regular strat style, the talmans, tele style, and LP doublecut style guitars.

ibanez has always had problems making a good headless guitar, and i dont know why

I have the 6-string model with slanted frets, and while they might seem like a gimmick on paper, they actually feel quite comfortable higher up the neck. However, the 25.5 7-string slanted fret is a miss imo. My only criticism of the guitar is that the strap pins and bridge make it uncomfortable to play in the classical position, as they dig into my thigh after a while. To mitigate this, I have to wear the strap higher than Petrucci.

They have 6 string headless models with 19 - 19 mm necks as well.

How can something headless make sense? Seriously...

I've played on 7 string version of that guitar and that was incredibly good expirience. The fanned frets really make this guitar extremely comfortable to play. The only minus of this guitar for me is the only 25.5 scale. I wish they will create the same model but in baritone scale includes one way fanned frets. For shure I will in the future buy this guitar or order a custom shop baritone copy from other brand.

Interesting points. Ibanez is really great, has been for decades. But I am not really a guitar buyer.

I agree with the view on the shape of the Q line, its is somehow platonic and slightly infatile...but of course that is a personal preference. Ibanez makes some very sexy models and it seems weird that on the headless they went for something so tame. I think the top of the neck is not necessarily a problem and it works design wise....I haven't played it so....dont know if it gets in the way. The top is striking but overall the guitar seems a little paradoxical.... surely if you play it in classical position the bridge is going to dig into your leg..as an headless you would think ergonomics are top priority. Likewise for the slanted frets but no multiscale...they must have reasons for such choice but doesn't seem to make much sense really as it limits the guitar one would think. I hate gold hardware or frets, thats another specific choice which seems weird. Overall it could be a cool guitar at a very decent price but I find it confusing and a slight paradox in its specs. When I first saw it I thought that it could be interesting and a possible new member of my small headless collection but as I found out more about it became obvious that it wouldn't be😁. Having said all that I am sure that there are plenty of people out there loving it and enjoying and that's cool and that Ibanez must have done their research.... Its just not for me. Take it easy and keep riffing. 🤘👽

1. The Bulb on head is not for hanging but for neck strength the pull of strings is strong hence making bulb of wood helps with tension - lots of hipshot headless systems fail on neck because of that. 2 You missed the purpose of the Q series headless: The target audience of this is math rock players Ichicka Nito / Yvete young style The math rock players love chunky neck for the glass strat tone The math rock players love reverse slanted frets for high register taping skills 3. There are non slanted fretboards for normies like us :) In anyway I think the target is not the metal guys at all but mostly the Neo Modern math shredders which have different requirements from guitars. I can see guys like polyphia, Ichika, Yvete loving this guitar

I own 2 Q models. The Q52 does have a chunkier neck, but its not overwhelming thick, and the QX52 with the slanted frets has your typical Ibanez thin neck. They are light, pickups sound fantastic, and beautiful fretboards. Spend some time with a couple.

I played one of these. I liked the neck, but not the pickups and electronics-notable volume drop between some settings, and complicated controls. Sounded quite thin and strat-like as well, which was not what I was after. The sneer I got from salesman when I said I preferred EMGs pretty much ended any possibility of my buying one. For me it was not the design in the end but the rather disappointing sound.

I have the seven string one in baby poop brown. 😅 It is light weight, balances well, and has a great neck. The slanted frets are more comfortable. It's done for ergonomics. Small ergonomic changes really make a difference as you age. I'm pushing 60 and I really like those little touches. Probably wouldn't have cared in my 20s and 30s. I really like the stock pickups too. Lots of switching options. Your hand isn't going to hit the nub at the end of the neck. I think people are looking for a reason to criticize that design other than aesthetics. Its not an issue at all.

its bias to say people buy ibanez for the "neck". Every brand is making the same shape guitars with the same necks nowadays, i like ibanez because of the headstock shape and im sure theres lots of other people out there with the same opinion

All of your critiques of the Q line are exactly the reasons I haven't bought one. Especially the straight scale/slanted frets on the 7 string. I understand the sentiment behind the slanted frets, but to me it would make just as much or more sense to make it multi scale.

went to a GC recently that had an Ibanez Q, was alright but for the price I dont see it being worth it. this one was so...ignored.. that the gold frets were turning green from oxidization body shape limited some seated positions, sitting classical just felt awkward. the leg carve on the side of body in a "regular position" felt fine.

I think you are missing the point with the headpiece and ergonomics. It's actually comfortable and useful. The headpiece stops your hand at the first fret comfortably, actually. The slanted frets are fantastic for the hand, keeping it at a neutral angle. Your wrist won't hurt. I would suggest trying it first..

The slanted frets are supposed to help with multi finger tapping, because apparently when you have them at an angle your right wrist assumes a more natural position.

This really depends on the model and how many upgrades you pick. If you pick the right model and keep it near default and avoid the $500 tops, etc resell is pretty good. I have the Greg Howe signature (GH3) and just searching GH3 today I see them going from $1300 all the way to $2200. Mine ran around $1500 new a few years ago and the only up charge I picked was an Ash body and I think a $40 black burst on the paint. Another plus on the GH3 is it uses the old body...which is significant as Strat players like to mod and swap out pickguards and pickups. Jeff's designs (like the Delos) are almost like Apple computers. Not only don't aftermarket pickguards line up with the screw holes the actual screws themselves are a different size. Any change is going to involve drilling, filling wood and cutting the pickguard. I just won't touch any Jeff Kiesel designs as although the guitars are made well the hardware is underwhelming from pots to pickups. Pick any fender strat like the fender American standard and you'll see them going for far less than original cost.

The current trend for lightweight guitars is "alarming". Having gigged an non-weight-relieved Les Paul for 20 years (still have one but not gigged in a while) I genuinely wonder why players can't cope these days?

I have to thank resalers for letting me get my dream guitar at a great price 😂