NGD: Headless Chameleon - Strandberg Boden Standard NX6

Bigsby

Short version: Strandberg Boden Standard NX 6 Tremolo Limited Edition Chameleon Burst finish. 

Most of the time the edges match the back colour, but in the photos the light is reflecting off the white paper and flipping the colour.  The lack of a cover over the springs is a bit surprising:

The ’standard’ gig bag is actually really high quality, with rubber seals covering the zips and plenty of space for ‘bits’:

With my other pet ‘Chameleon’, the GSSGT:

Long version:  I’d been considering a Strandberg for a while, having always been interested in innovations in guitars, but put off by uncertainty about the unique neck profile (and unsure a quick try in a store would change/confirm that), and also finding I prefer the finishes on the 7 & 8 string models, but not wanting to jump into those extended ranges right now. So I've held off.

Seeing money off at GG led me to looking at the Strandberg site again, and I spotted this limited run, only available direct, and just one left in stock. I almost grabbed it on impulse, but thought I might regret it if I’d only bought it for the finish, and perhaps there were models I’d prefer - especially the HSS ones. So I spent time going through all the model and various options (there's a lot!), and basically realised that the switching arrangement on the HH would likely suit me better than HSS, and also the Standard offered a lower cost with it’s solid body design. But, a 6-string Standard HH with trem wasn’t in the range, apart from this LE model, so this was the perfect model, but now out of stock!

I signed up for email notifications in the hope that more were coming. But I was never contacted, instead, by chance I noticed two more were in stock a few days later, so I immediately ordered one (the other soon sold, but there are two more in today). 

First impressions:  I’m pretty amazed by it!  By far the lightest guitar I’ve ever played, really comfortable, including the neck (and I do a lot of thumb over playing). The fanned frets haven’t phased me, though I’d say I’m still adjusting to them, they just haven’t been a challenge. The simple 5 way selector gives 5 very different and usable settings; what it loses in versatility is made up for in simplicity and speed of use. Overall finish is excellent - I’d been a bit concerned about that, as the ‘influencers’ all rave about the perfect fret finishing, but several online reviews tell a very different story… But I’ve no complaints at all, perhaps I was just lucky and got one intended for an influencer.  

I’ll add a few more thoughts when I’ve spent a bit more time with it… so far, very happy.  

Sassafras

Even though I probably shouldn't, I quite like the shape of those. Should imagine it to be very comfortable to play.

CHRISB50

Really like that. It’s a lovely finish. 

You can really see the V shape of the back of the neck. Is it quite a small neck?

CavemanGrogg

I really like the looks of headless guitars, however the lack of a headstock disorients me, as being able to see a headstock out of the corner of my eye makes it easy for me to orient myself on the fretboard.

Elwood

Lovely - I really fancy a Strandberg at some point. The finish of that on looks amazing. 

How is the trem?

Offset

Love it.

axisus

Fabulous in every way! I would happily own that!

willo

Excellent! How did it work with VAT and import - was that all handled by Strandberg?

Bigsby

CHRISB50 said:

Really like that. It’s a lovely finish. 

You can really see the V shape of the back of the neck. Is it quite a small neck?

I haven't tried to measure it, but it doesn't feel small when your thumb is behind, yet my thumb can wrap around very easily - I guess that's the nature of a v-type shape. It's like a 'v' with a very flattened point that transitions around the neck as you go up it. This enable your thumb and wrist to move in natural ways as you move up the neck (and for me it seems to apply with 'thumb over' playing too).

The way Strandberg describe their Endurneck profile encourages some people to object on the grounds that they "don't want a guitar neck to be telling my thumb/hand/wrist what to do..."  But my impression so far is that it would be better to describe it as 'the neck knows what your thumb/hand/wrist wants to do and cooperates fully, so your brain doesn't have to force them to do anything' (using equally nonsensical terms). 

One of the things that got me interested was the fact that I've been getting some pains in my left hand - and quite a lot of people have described the Endurneck as having really helped alleviate pain issues in hands, arms, & shoulders. 

Bigsby

Elwood said:

Lovely - I really fancy a Strandberg at some point. The finish of that on looks amazing. 

How is the trem?

It's a bit early for me to say, as I haven't really gone to town with it - but the tuning has been very stable when I've used it. It's basically a locking system as the strings are locked behind the zero fret. It feels quite stiff for two springs (and extra springs are supplied), but it still has the 'floaty' feel you'd expect. I gather you can also remove the trem and fit it to the posts in a different position, which alters the feel - I can't recall the details, but presumably that would be a softer feel. (It was described on one of the maintenance videos on Strandberg's site).

Bigsby

willo said:

Excellent! How did it work with VAT and import - was that all handled by Strandberg?

Not quite; Strandberg don't add VAT or delivery charges, instead you get contacted by DHL with a link to pay online. All very straightforward, one charge covers everything; 20% VAT, Duty (about £30) and collection fee (£11). So Brexit added about £40: I've had worse outcomes from it, but I won't go into that here...  

(Note: If you click the UK/£ sign on the Strandberg site prices switch to £ without VAT. At some points you may then see a VAT figure, but ignore it, it won't be on the payment page)

willo

Winner! Thanks

Roland

Nice guitar. Headless is definitely the way to go.

Bigsby

It’s now about 6 months on, so I thought I’d post an update of reflections for anyone who is thinking about buying a Strandberg:

Trying one in a store might easily lead to the ‘shock’ of the neck shape, the fanned frets and the seeming weightlessness and headlessness of it being off-putting. But for me it really didn’t take long playing it for all of that to melt away. It soon felt completely natural and comfortable, plus I’ve had no difficulty going back to any of my other guitars,. Of course YMMV, especially if you’re particularly sensitive to different sale lengths, neck profiles, etc. FWIW, I play ‘thumb over’ a lot, and the neck has been fine for this; I do notice the odd feel when just holding the guitar, but never when playing. I guess it’s a bit like a squared off ‘v’ shape in this respect. 

Forget where it’s made, (‘that’s too much for an Indonesian guitar’), it really feels like a high quality instrument in all the ways that matter. It really isn’t cheap, but at the same time, it isn’t made up of the usual decades-old parts, and a big part of the price is the cost of all of those differences, all of which are there for a reason, not a gimmick. In a sense, the sum of the parts is the price.

Electrics: I had been wanting an HSS guitar, but when I discovered the switching on the Strandberg HH models I decided this was worth trying, and I’m very happy with the result: This has become something of an ‘all-rounder’ for me; it may not be the ‘best’ guitar I have for a particular application, but it does a great job at most things, and can be excellent at some. The 5-way switch gives:

Neck humbucker

Neck single coil

Both outer coils (so a bit Tele-ish)

Both inner coils (so a bit more Strat-ish)

Bridge humbucker

These are probably my ‘go to’ choices for a guitar - I would rarely use the bridge single coil and haven’t actually missed the humbuckers combined, (despite using this quite often on other HH guitars). Most importantly, all these usable sounds can be quickly accessed with one switch; no need for a 5-way plus push/pull to get to a particular setting. I think it would be great for gigging. In most situations I find this much more useful than a bunch of switches and a lot of settings that are very similar or not often useful. This easily accessed versatility is one reason the Strandberg has become something of a ‘go to’ guitar. The light weight is another  

The guitar came direct from Strandberg in Sweden, set up was perfect, with an action perhaps slightly lower than I’m used to and intonation spot on. I’ve switched to 9-42s, and string changes and set ups are easy to do, if slightly different to usual! The trem is basically a locking unit, and tuning is very stable, (but with so many changes and innovations it’s a shame they didn’t take the chance to call it a vibrato unit, that’s one bit of guitar history they didn’t need to keep).

The gig bag is well designed and seems well made (but I'm not using it, the guitar is permanently out), and the accessories include a set of tools bolstered by a multi tool that can be attached to the guitar with a magnet (which can be placed wherever you want). A nice touch, but entirely optional.

Negatives are generally very small niggles, and mostly cosmetic ones; the trem unit seems to have been designed to be right or left handed, with a hole for an arm on the bass side too, this hasn’t been plugged and there’s no finish behind it, just bare wood, (see first photo). 

Side dots alignment; this seems to be based on the centre of the fanned frets, so as you go up the neck the dots end up aligned more with the fret than centred between the frets. This hasn’t been an issue when playing, but looks a little odd (so I’d call it cosmetic, rather than functional).

Wall hanging; obviously there’s no headstock to hang from, but I suspect it would only take a small increase in the width of the top of the neck to allow for hanging (it already is slightly wider than the neck). Equally, the body shape is designed to be comfortably played in multiple positions (it’s not just a novel shape), but not to be put in a conventional stand. However, Fender make an adjustable stand for off-sets, and I’ve put one of these on a small draw unit next to my office desk, where the Standberg sits within easy reach. 

Finally, and again just cosmetic: The 6-string models don’t have their pickups angled to align with the fretboard, and the fretboard edge is not at quite the same angle as the 24th fret, so at that point you have three different lines; pickup edge, fretboard end, and fret. I don’t notice it much, but when I do I always think it could’ve been a bit tidier if at least the fret and ‘board aligned.

Finally, I’m currently recovering from heart surgery, and having such a light and comfortable guitar to grab has been incredibly helpful. But in fact, it had become my ‘grab it for a quick practice’ guitar before I went into hospital, and I think it’ll stay that way for a long time.

Overall, I’m very happy I bought this; so many things have been re-thought, yet it doesn’t feel or sound ‘alien’, everything just seems to work, to feel good, and sound great. These guitars deserve to be the Stratocasters of the next generation.  

goldtop

Excellent write-up - thanks for sharing. One of these is on my radar for when I've sold some more gear. 

One Q: with a Steinberger-licensed system (on a headless Hohner) I found the stiffness of the tuners and their proximity a bit annoying. Often I kept a screwdriver to hand rather than using the knurled part by hand.

This arrangement fares better?

(Also, hope your recovery goes well.)

Brio

I was in Andertons today picking up a pedal when I decided to try a Strandberg. Bad move. I now have put a deposit on an NX6 (no trem) to collect next week.
Fanned frets and neck felt great from the start. Time to sell the baritone and a couple of toys to pay for it. 
I agree with your comments about the. Pickup selector options. All sounded great and useable.

Bigsby

goldtop said:

One Q: with a Steinberger-licensed system (on a headless Hohner) I found the stiffness of the tuners and their proximity a bit annoying. Often I kept a screwdriver to hand rather than using the knurled part by hand.

This arrangement fares better?

The tuners don't feel stiff, just enough to have a precise feel to them. With the trem it's very easy to move the tuning whist touching the tuner (floating bridge), so you do need a light touch. I put the multi tool magnet on the body beneath the tuners, thinking I'd use that instead of my fingers, but I've actually adapted to the tuners well enough that I never use the tool unless I'm changing strings. Overall, the tuning is very stable.

strtdv

Really like that, it's amazing how compact it is next to a "normal" guitar. 

I'd love to try one, maybe even a 7 string

Nerine

That looks killer. 

Feels like a guitar I’d happily sit there and woodshed on. Like really hone the technique etc. Seems an appropriate guitar. 

These are a modern classic, I think. 

Dumodal

For some reason I just think of daft punk when I see that guitar, looks ace definitely unique, I will definitely try one in the near future!

I Hope your recovery goes well! 

strtdv

I've just seen the prices on the new Japanese made ones!