Headless Guitar Shootout - Rabea & Pete Try Ibanez, Strandberg & HILS Guitars!

[@andertons]

No time for long videos? Check out the playing only video on Andertons 2 | kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5rZnpiurdRgorM

[@glenh2752]

I don’t get all the fuss with these headless guitars when you can get a Les Paul with a detachable headstock.

[@gunkyzip]

Dweezil Zappa did a collab with American Airlines to make a headless SG.

[@likwidflame]

@@gunkyzip HA I remember that story during the Zappa Plays Zappa tours

[@joshpointoh]

Until it's also reattachable, it just won't catch on

[@brrblack497]

Thank you for that sir...

[@Ottophil]

I don’t get all these headless jokes, Ive had many gibsons, have never lost a headstock on an SG or les paul. My 91 flying V headstock did snap like a toothpick though

[@valendis]

I love when Rabea is here!

[@andertons]

So do we!

[@lamech006]

My favorite demo Bros!!

[@damianstrochnetter9735]

Or is he only "like" here.....Like

[@dinosaursr]

Me too, those two are muy caliente on the geetarz.

[@zynosgd9982]

All of the guitars going head to head... wait, no...

[@Neoma1999]

😂

[@nopejnope4444]

You won the internet

[@americoperez810]

😂

[@markedwards664]

Wonder if the results will be neck and neck... I'll get me coat.

[@jazic82]

​​@@nopejnope4444He might not have won but he's definitely a'head'.

[@cour1988]

Quick tuning pause made me smile

[@jfo3000]

Quite a disturbing drop in pitch there. Not a great endorsement for that axe.

[@cour1988]

@@jfo3000 hopefully new strings caused it. But yeah that's not great

[@MrJingles021]

I posted in the other video about HILS guitars. HILS is like the international branding of a company called HEX. I bought a HEX headless a few weeks ago and I've gigged it a few times. Absolutely zero issues. It needed a simple set up, and it's rock solid. No issues with tuning stability, and most surprisingly tone. I live in South Korea, so HEX is what I get here any they are cheap. If they release a 7 string headless, I'll definitely get one. Another guitar player I know uses a Les Paul style HEX. Sounds great too.

[@coreyblaisdell]

As someone who has owned multiple Strandbergs and Ibanez Quests (recording and playing shows with both for a year or more), I've personally found the Ibanez to be the best suited for me and also the best value for the money. IMO the Endurneck makes some things easier and other things harder, and is not some sort of miracle fix. When it comes to shape, I love how thin the Ibanez body is, especially for playing while standing. It does suffer a bit from not having the cutaway on the bottom like the Strandberg though. The Ibanez hardware is considerably better designed. The string lock at the top is sturdier, simpler, and doesn't have sharp edges unlike the Strandberg. The bridge pieces on the Ibanez are also much easier to intonate, do string changes on, and turn the tuners. Having a Zero Fret is a compromise that I believe isn't worthwhile for most players. Zero frets almost always get little divots in them which cause the thinner strings to ping when bent, and polishing these out is a hassle. A well cut standard nut just works and doesn't introduce these kinds of problems. Fanned frets only feel beneficial to me in lower tunings or on a 7/8 string. If you play standard, you probably don't need them. The Boden Essential definitely changes the value discussion, but the fact that I can own a 6 and 7 string Ibanez Quest for about the price of an average Strandberg is pretty wild considering I think I actually prefer the Ibanez regardless of cost. Strandberg are great guitars but their price is hard for me to justify considering where/how they're made.

[@ymelfilm]

agree. I moved the jack location on my Ibby, now it s fine. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZzQf5R4fJeIfrM

[@robertholsman]

I love how Rabea's face gives the most honest, immediate impression of how he feels about something. That tells me more than anything else

[@RandallMoore-ct5vo]

Agreed

[@radtats6899]

You know when you put Pete and Rabea in the same room, magic is gonna happen. That opening jam was insane! Great playing guys.

[@apuadofrancisco]

it's good to see Rabea again!!!!

[@BDSGuitar]

Find yourself someone who looks at you the way Pete looks at Bea

[@jazic82]

I just gave it to the toilet paper that was 2ft out of range. I need you my TPBB!

[@IanWrigleyNZ]

They are both the kind of players that make you want to be better.

[@ThakkMylde]

The intro is distinctly either a Rabea, or Pete style solo but they fit together so well in this context. Well done.

[@robbieegan5748]

I love the Ibanez. Super comfy and light and affordable. Great range of sounds. YMMV.

[@themagicreed6013]

I proudly own an Ibanez Q54 and I ve got to say is one of the best guitars I ever perchuse. Its light, plays like butter and it resonates like crazy!! For that a small guitar the amount of sustain is unbilievable!! Rebea (love you man), is not a man to test a small guitar like this...his hands are massive. I played stranberg before buying the Q and belive me, for the average Joe Ibanez is way more familiar!!!

[@Lozart]

As another guitarist with massive hands, I'm rather partial to Rabea's reviews!

[@neilhook5529]

I have a Q54 and came here to say exactly this! It’s so light but resonates more than any other guitar I’ve ever played and the frets feel like glass. Absolutely love the thing!

[@Phoboss32]

Hands down, Hils. I tried all and Hils built quality is impeccable. And for this price point it’s a no brainer.

[@MichaelBahauddin]

I bought a Boden Prog NX 7 sight unseen. It was a huge gamble given the price but I was intrigued with the non traditional design philosophy. Yeah, I’m no shredder and play down tuned B metal overusing my whammy but I have to say it is totally worth it. The neck, sound, balance, and reliability are all top tier. Other 7 strings I’ve had struggled to stay in tune but this tremolo returns to neutral perfectly in tune every single time. My only complaint is the volume knob is placed where I unintentionally back volume down with my pinky when playing but I also don’t hold a pick properly so there’s that. It’s been inspirational when it comes to writing too. For me, best purchase I’ve made in a long time.

[@rutsneischmitz]

Got a Strandberg Plini when I have had back issues. The thing about the guitar is… you can play it anywhere. Lying down, on your couch. And it sounds great. And the smaller footprint makes it easy to take it anywhere, so it doubles as a traveling guitar. It doesn’t sound like a Gibson, Tele or Strat. But it really sounds like a 3,000Euro guitar. The fact that I can have it anywhere made me able to play twice as much. That’s the real value of the headless. And it’s always on tune.

[@TommyGunzzz]

Does it do the heavy thing well? That's one of our dream guitars, glad you got it

[@rutsneischmitz]

@@TommyGunzzz the model I have is the Plini signature who is a Prog Metal player. I know the Strandberg Boden models are Metal focused but I am not a metal player myself. I would suggest you to check on Plini demos for this. Cheers!

[@MattSwain1]

I do like what Strandberg have done, actually thought about the overall design of the guitar compared to the Ibanez which is largely a regular guitar with the headstock cut off. I’m not in the market for a new guitar right now but I would consider one of the entry level Strandbergs in the future

[@johninama585]

I'm really impressed with the HILS guitar. Especially for the price.

[@Lynx33PL]

The best thing about guitar is how tactile and responsive the instrument is. I have this exact Ibanez model, and when I jam with, after a certain point I stop feeling the weight of it, I just focus on playing. Whereas, a 8lbs (if you're lucky) Les Paul is something that, to me, always felt like it's a foreign object fighting for space with you. Some people may like it. I don't. I'm really glad headless guitars are becoming more popular. My back and neck even more so.

[@jadslash]

Steinberger is what headless guitars are for me. That's all we had in the mid 00's

[@DeffoZappo]

And for instruments with no headstock they had neck dive like crazy 🤣

[@steved1099]

Now... heres the thing. I wasn't overly familiar with his music initially. BUT rabea is almost the ultimate 21st century guitar role model.... technical, feel, fusion, own channel, own music, signature musicman guitar, QC/neural DSP artist, articulate, great tech knowledge, great humour . yet equally at home posting with pete the gretsch masterbuilds. I liisten to everything he posts....

[@lukedavies900]

His solos are some of my favourites. His storytelling is incredible.

[@nmcgregor1990]

Bea's Fuzz tone is everything I want! ❤

[@Parallax-3D]

I’ve got a Eart headless, and it’s shaped very much like the Strandberg. Ash body, 5 piece wenge/padauk neck with rosewood fretboard. Stainless frets, and they are finished perfectly. I had a Steinberger Spirit GU once upon a time, but sold it. That was a mistake.

[@hectormontalvo7663]

One thing that I never see mention is that these guitars are great for musicians who play at theaters in a pit with reduced space. A small body and many options in one package is a great deal.

[@jcugnoni]

Those HILS seem pretty interesting! Good to see Rabea and Pete together again.

[@marcoferrandi6191]

HILS also have stainless steel frets. At that price! Mine is coming tomorrow from Andertons \m/

[@jasonjayalap]

Ibanez = lots of options for your super strat, one of which is headless. Strandberg = pursuit of the modern guitar. HILS/eart = we can do that (minus neck profile) for half.

[@Big_betty2]

Are HILS and EART the same thing? I had an EART when were they were just blatant Strandberg ripoffs and I never should have gotten rid of it

[@jumpman120]

@@Big_betty2 no

[@thereignofdando]

I’ve got three Strandbergs, and basically they’re all i play live. I have back issues and the flexibility of playing positions coupled with the lightweight is a no brainer. And they almost never go out of tune.

[@randyromano7331]

Definitely thumbs up on the Strandbergs. I picked up a 7-String Prog NX about 2 years ago, and just got a 6-String HSS Boden. They feel and sound excellent, and are super easy to travel with. When I bring the kids to sports practice, I bring one of the Strandbergs and a pair of Boss Waza headphones - perfect match to practice literally anywhere.

[@beebala3]

Been playing almost 40yrs, my Ibanez Q52 is the best playing guitar I have ever owned by a wide margin.

[@kebotrans]

They do play great. I purchased a Boden essential and love it also.The ibanez models are awesome also.

[@KittyKatMan93]

I have the q54, easily my favorite Strat

[@coreyblaisdell]

@@beebala3 the quest models converted me after being a Strandberg player for about 2 years. Excellent guitars and way more bang for your buck

[@thesmellycatjazz]

​@@kebotrans the thickness threw me for a loop. The Q is thick like an AZ, and I was expecting something a bit thinner. I guy I'll need to try the QX next

[@TommyGunzzz]

How do you compare to a Strandberg? have you ever played one?

[@reidp646]

Just preordered the left handed HILS model, never seen a left handed headless before from a decent brand and I am absolutely hyped

[@chico1367]

I love Rabea! What a player! I'm also madly in love with his Neural DSP plugin. It sounds incredible

[@soulassasin10]

HILS Guitars guitars are great bang for the buck, got to play them a bit, and i still don't get how they can make such a good guitar for 399 😳i think Strandberg start at around 1k and Ibanez around 700 sooo HILS at this point if you're looking to venture into headless realm is a great deal and a hell of a guitar for the money. PS: Love to see Rabea in Andertons videos again ❤🤘

[@timointrouble]

I have an Ibanez quest, I like the shape better than strandberg. I sit "man-spread", left foot on a foot rest, tuners against the right thigh, so the guitar sits quite a bit lower than a strandberg, about the same height as when standing up. Perfect

[@codygranrud6212]

I've been digging one of those, definitely on my list.

[@DarrenWaechter]

That is the point I think they missed on this, is it's the ergonomic shape of the Strandberg and the HILS that turns a lot of people off of those guitars, much in the way many people don't like a Warlock or any other crazy shape. I personally think the Ibanez is the best looking of the bunch, and I really like the feel as well, but I also have never played any of the others.

[@timointrouble]

Only tiny regret right now, I got the black HH with slainted frets. I just imagined laser blue with green Dimarzios 😍

[@suriakumar4276]

I just came from Malaysia and bought the last piece that was in the in their warehouse.Good service guys.I took some photographs of your staffs but was sad that i could't meet the Captain and Pete.Cheers

[@Fredlund666]

Haha when Rabea got the Ibanez in his hands, his face said everything. :D

[@JimmyGoswick]

My favorite duo. The boys are back!

[@Jamaicangurl81]

i love my Ibanez Qx54... would love to try out a strandberg. Those Hils ones were pretty nice especially for the money

[@will96317]

8:40 caught me so off guard 😂

[@crave809]

Oh my🫠 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@VickyFlisa]

Je t'aime

[@adewoyinsanmi862]

me too

[@caknut]

more bea dont let him leave

[@davidyates8880]

the headless bass guitar that Mark King used was made by Status. It was Steinberger and Status back in the day for headless

[@DomSchu]

That little tuning moment and right back in at the start xD

[@vincentbourely71]

Ladies and gentlemen, the boss is back in town. Welcome back Rabea, it's a great pleasure to see you on this channel 👍

[@daaaaaaaave]

I have one of the Ibanez for travels. I would never play it unless I travel and want to take in flight cabin. It does the job to keep my fingers moving when needed so am happy.

[@hairychris444]

Some nasty blues licks from Rabea. Nice! (I've low-key wanted a Strandberg Salen Deluxe for years... EDIT: The Hils looks a great choice for an inexpensive travel guitar too.)

[@forytvanz8493]

I own an Ibanez Q547 and it is very versatile guitar. I have the Jescar gold evo frets version, I think all new models have the stainless steel frets because Jescar discontinued the gold evo lineup. The price point and the hardware should be considered and not be ignored when comparing to other available brands. I did not reach the 2K usd to enjoy a 7 string guitar that feels and sounds premium (I paid around 1,100 usd).

[@MichaelIrons-d5v]

loved the vid guys soo good to see beer back again, terrif.

[@mwpv11]

I owned them all and the Strandberg is the clear winner head and shoulders above the rest.

[@chzzyg2698]

I need to see a Legator guitar in there. I bought one of their 8-string's a year or so ago and it's been just a joy to pick up and play.

[@JustSomeGuy]

That outro is a perfect song for the end of a roadtrip movie.

[@ACWraith]

10:22 These guitars offer each different takes on this leg support. I respect that not everyone uses the position I do, but the point of a headless guitar is the ergonomics and neither player even attempts playing while using this feature. The Strandberg seems to rest on the inner thigh but can be placed on top when playing at a more steep angle. The HILS focuses support more on top of the leg making me wonder how stable it is angled steeply since it would seem to rest toward the outer thigh. Meanwhile the Ibanez adds extra leg-stabbing bits and looks like it requires a comfortable cable to be useable. Honestly, I would find demos of these aspects more useful than the sounds.

[@stevestahmer9029]

Love Pete and Rabea together! More please.

[@c.j.robert5350]

I have the Boden 7, and the Ibanez Q7, which my tech had the bridges recessed 3mm lower into the body (Crazy low action on it now; 1mm on low B, 0.8mm on high E, with no buzz), and they're both great! But the Ibby gets the palm for its weight!

[@MarcusSperry]

Legendary opening Jam boys 👏🏼👏🏼

[@4mb127]

I can't afford the Strandberg so Hils it is.

[@valendis]

Let's be honest, that Boden Standard sounds way better than the others!

[@bladeoflucatiel]

Definetly

[@kristofferlarsson9071]

Suhr pups, right? Great sounding set.

[@michaelmetal71]

best headless guitars 🎸 on the market right now are Kiesel! hands down

[@MrFouzMusic]

It was a lot of fun ! Thanks guys 👍👍👍

[@astrofreq]

KIESEL is setting the bar for what a headless guitar should be, IMHO.

[@cadams1607]

Of all of them I miss this guy the most!

[@ElDami]

Best gear channel. I think I've already commented that before.

[@elevenAD]

The older i get the more i appreciate my Headless, especially during extended practice. i play a Les Paul for 2 hours and my entire body aches afterward, getting old blows.

[@GEX-_-]

Seymour duncan George lynch screamin demons always used allen bolts, stepped eq curve Bass 4 mids 6 treble 8 Wicked pups 😊

[@mikeaustin4138]

I have the Boden Standard(?) from a few years ago. I bought it (pre-pandemic) intending to use it as a travel guitar. The pickups were too "metallic" for me, so I swapped them out for Tom Anderson HF1/HF2 pickups. The one "gripe' I have about the guitar is that on a normal guitar you can pluck the string with your picking hand while turning the tuning pegs with your fretting hand. You can't do that with this guitar, which takes some getting used to.

[@DanielBobke]

The Strandberg guitars are fantastic...I love all of mine. I would love to try an Essential. I was initially skeptical about no multiscale, but every review I watch seems to not have a problem with the standard scale. For what you are getting on the Essential, I like the price given that I know the quality of the brand from the others I own. The HILS is a nice budget choice, but I think the Ibanez is just not a good choice for what you are getting.

[@MartinStrang]

Great seeing you around Bea, How are you enjoying your Music man endorsement? I had a Boden and it is an amazing guitar, very comfortable to play in any position, very resonant and the pickups are killer. They are groundbreaking because it is the ONLY guitar built from zero with ergonomics in mind. The neck reflects this but you get used to it fast and it makes sense. I have not tried an Ibanez Q yet but I’m sure it is an amazing instrument. Ibanez is my favorite Asian brand by far and for a good reason.

[@lu_Mo__]

the outro jam was beautiful.

[@rumanrobert]

Best duo!!! Stellar playing

[@nickgjenkins]

That Strandberg tone from Rebea is cool as heck!

[@eskoriakiebraqeyo7942]

Beas mug on the edge of the table is making me so anxious

[@lowfeelsblvd]

It's insane what you can get for your money these days. 15 years ago I remember having to spend £700+ for something decent, those Hils Guitars look incredible for the price

[@RobAsselinMusic]

If esp or jackson makes a headless guitar they will get my money instantaneously. can't wait to get myself a couple strandbergs. I love that headless guitars are becoming a thing.

[@Buzzel-NL]

The Strandberg Standard does not have Suhr pickups but OEM strandberg pickups, the Strandberg Original has Suhr pickups.

[@toastytheloafdog]

This is the comment I was searching for. Which guitar is featured in the video? I can't tell if it's a Standard and he got the pickups wrong, or if it's an Original and they listed the wrong guitar in the video.

[@iursnitram]

I see the same "mistake" everywhere. Use a right angle jack and you can easily sit it on your leg between the jack and the lower pin.

[@stoneysdead689]

You must have little spaghetti legs.

[@fusionfan6883]

Yes indeed. Headless fan here, currently have 5, and the right angle jack is essential unless you have ones with an inset angled jack so then even a straight jack isn’t a problem🎸🤘🏻

[@omjune]

the bodens are crafted in Indonesia too, if i'm not mistaken.

[@larrydj549]

Purty... I liked the green sound. Meaty.

[@david_farmer]

Very timely video for me! I had promised to treat myself to a Strandberg for my birthday, but I gotta say I really like that Hils. Plus green is my favorite color and I don't have any green guitars.... Hmmmm...

[@mars009]

Which one did you end up getting? Looking at the strandberg mainly cause of the neck, but that Hils looks amazing and at a great price

[@david_farmer]

@@mars009 I did wind up getting a green Hils. I wanted to buy from Andertons but I'm in the US and they were offering free shipping from the US store. The PROS: price, neck feels great, super light, coil taps, stays in tune very well, I love the 2 rubber "feet", pretty lively & loud acoustically for noodling on the couch, looks cool IMO. The CONS: Not crazy about the pickups (a bit too modern for my tastes - maybe a bit lifeless?), the bridge doesn't have a ton of travel for changing tunings but I can do Drop D or standard. It does feel like its going to run out room when tuning but so far so good. Also the bridge is pretty fiddly getting the ball end in there solidly. Maybe I'll get better at changing strings but it was frustrating and I felt like I had to use pliers to put a lot of tension on the strings before locking them down at the headstock. Mine also came with about 10 ends of fret sprout that needed filing down. The pickup routing is VERY tight on the pickups and I'm not sure if I can swap the pickups out without more routing. Maybe I can. But all in all I'm happy and I do play it a lot.

[@mars009]

@@david_farmer whoa thank you for the reply! Sounds like it was a great deal, and like you are having fun with it. I'm tempted by the Strandberg, but the Hils looks like a great way to get my feet wet without breaking the bank. The neck is the main thing that caught my eye tbh (and the red color looks amazing), but I think the Hils could be a great entry point.

[@justcheese3464]

21:58 someone please tell me what those 3 chords are

[@lautarorosas7685]

Eadd9,Cadd9,Aadd9 . I would love to try a Strandberg neck

[@davidsonperry4877]

Status graphite headless and headed basses mark king uses with level 42

[@pentatonicpaddy]

The pause was epic lol

[@kastnerr]

The headless bit isn't what drew me in, it was the ergonomics of the Strandberg (and the Hils to a degree) but I'm really interested in trying the Strandberg neck.

[@johngonzales8224]

I thought Steinberger started this whole thing off in the 80's

[@zechpatrick]

I love it so much… there is so much good music, so much Love, so much good tones and much more…

[@fherdelpino]

I hate headless guitars but I love Rabea... I guess I must watch this all the way through

[@Joshua_Davis_Music]

I own 2 strandbergs and love them to bits. I agree, if you're going to do headless, just get a strandberg tbh

[@albertpsaros4988]

I bought an ichi10 ibanez headless..absolutley converted. I have played and owned all the big name guitars over the years..this is my favourite by a long shot. I get the look is something to get used to..but in terms of playability and comfort absolutely nothing comes close

[@toneydavis9802]

Anytime Bea is on I am listening.

[@keschgelb]

In the 80s Mark King used to play Status Graphite Headless Basses. Besides many other brands during his career, like JayDee and Alembic....

[@marcelcourchesne9519]

I think Bc Rich and Neal Moser were the first to put rubber bumpers on the bottom of the Bich model of guitars.

[@ey870]

Love my Strandberg NX

[@siderealbeast]

Hell of an intro! 🔥

[@AlanW]

Hear me out Ibanez: Headless Voyager with the ergo-cut that Rabea wants!

[@Ardoresprit]

I'd love to see Rabea's thoughts on the ichi10 headless

[@kollabrock]

Many guitarists are so die-hard conservative and traditional they would rather get herniated discs in their backs playing their 11Ibs Les Pauls that won´t even stay in tune, than even trying a modern ergonomic guitar like Strandberg. Once I got mine in 2022 I rarely play my older guitars. It´s better in every single metric

[@Zundfolge]

I really wish Gibson would bring back proper Steinbergers.

[@Danfender1952]

Yes, I wish some guitar company would bring these back! They are certainly great guitars and were way ahead of their time! But I kind of put these in the same category as Ovations. They are both non-traditional guitars that appeal to a much smaller segment of the market...which probably makes it difficult for a company to make them profitable and successful.

[@uktmaxx]

Status basses were the ones Mark King used... Graphite with lovely wood wings. also Steinberger basses (no body usually)

[@PiranTata]

@rabeaafro is wearing a serious legendary band t-shirt 🤩

[@ianhart8101]

@Andertons can you do the same thing with Bea as you did with Chappers last visit? Make a boatload of videos to release slowly over the next bit of time. I particularly enjoy his this or that pedal videos because of his insight. But what about that but with guitars?? Blindfold and have 20 or so and see what he ultimately chooses on playability and sound alone. Would be epic!

[@grilledspaghetti]

I love that the fanned fret on these leaves the bottom positions alone. You can actually fret an F chord without breaking your wrist. 😂