Strandberg vs Kiesel Headless

Grampa

Used to own a Strandberg NX6 that was incredibly easy to play and a distinct possibility for my increasingly stiff fingers. Have also been looking at the Kiesel headless.

Which would you chose, and why?

P.S. Decided I'm not ready to completely give up on electric quite yet.

skullfunkerry

Having played neither, I think I'd gravitate towards the Strandberg, purely based on how they look, and the quality control/customer service horror stories I've heard about Kiesel.

EDIT: also, I think the Kiesel would just have a normal-feeling neck, whereas if you found the Endurneck easy to play then that's going to help too.

Maak

I've had both, and I only have the kiesels now.  You get way more for your money, and the fit and finish is far superior.  The important thing is to know what spec you're after for the kiesels as you could potentially spec a heavy guitar depending on wood choice. 

A safer option might be to try the Hils line from Andertons?  A much more wallet friendly alternative to the strandberg/kiesel.

Grampa

skullfunkerry said:

EDIT: also, I think the Kiesel would just have a normal-feeling neck, whereas if you found the Endurneck easy to play then that's going to help too.

Good point, the Endure neck was possibly the biggest aid in making it so easy to play.

grungebob

Not played a Kiesel and only own a Boden essential but it’s a superb instrument. 

The neck was an added bonus. 

I bought it due to shoulder surgeries and not being able to play guitar properly since and not only has it allowed to play for however long I like but the endurneck has been a revelation. 

My left wrist no longer clicks or feels sore and I play better on this guitar than any previous guitar. 

wibble

I've not played a Kiesel but I do have a couple 6 string Strandbergs - a Prog and a Standard (non trem)

I love the EndurNeck on them and the ergonomics in general, light annd comfortable to play sitting or standing.

I'm toying with selling my Standard to get a 7 string Strandberg though

TheBigDipper

wibble said:

I've not played a Kiesel but I do have a couple 6 string Strandbergs - a Prog and a Standard (non trem)

I love the EndurNeck on them and the ergonomics in general, light annd comfortable to play sitting or standing.

I'm toying with selling my Standard to get a 7 string Strandberg though

If I was you, I’d just buy the new one now and wait until the market improves before selling the Standard. Just saying….

TheBigDipper

My hardtail Boden Original NX6 is the easiest guitar to play that I own. I’ve never played a Keisel, but as you liked your NX6 why not just buy another? You know what you’re getting. The Keisel might be better for you or it might be worse. 

guitarmangler

I really like Strandbergs, the neck, the shape etc. I owned a few. There’s nothing i don’t like about them. I have three headless Kiesel’s and no strandbergs at the moment. 

It’s not that the Kiesel’s are better per se, but second hand they are definitely better value. My last one I got new from Kiesel, 4 years ago, and it was still cheaper than a new strandberg at the time.

Rocky1991

I have a Kissel holdsworth hard tail and have a guitar guitar round the corner with all the strandbergs ins. 

The kiesel is way better made in my opinion. I’m thinking of selling it as the neck is pretty chunky. But quality, tuning stability and sound wise it is so superior in my opinion. 

Loobs

I think the Kiesels look sick and the options are amazing but I read some less than glowing reviews of their instruments online and people don't seem to have much good to say about Jeff Kiesel...

Loobs

if someone could enlighten me on that it would be great

maltingsaudio

Just to add a curve ball, I was wanting a headless and trying to decide between the two and have ended up with an Eart for far less money and haven’t put it down for the last  6 months 

Grampa

maltingsaudio said:

Just to add a curve ball, I was wanting a headless and trying to decide between the two and have ended up with an Eart for far less money and haven’t put it down for the last  6 months 

Good shout. Do you have any idea about weight, looking for something sub 6lb if possible. Thanks.

Offset

As @Maak mentioned, a Hils HN3 is well worth a try.  I bought mine on something of a whim after seeing some very positive reviews.  For £399 it punches way above its weight.  Rock-solid tuning, SS frets, coil split, rosewood fb, roasted maple neck (and mine has a nice amount of flame as well), titanium string retainer, real bone nut - and it's as light as a feather.  The output jack is at the back of the body next to the bridge so it doesn't get in the way when playing it seated, and it has two neat little rubber feet for standing against an amp or wall.  The controls feel solid and the whole thing is a really decent package.  Great colour as well 

Loobs

https://www.reddit.com/r/metalguitar/comments/1dcqidb/thoughts_on_kiesel/

uksaint7

My Kiesel neck-through Vader (in profile pic) arrived with some QC issues, namely poorly finished fret ends and needing a setup. But once I got it sorted by a tech it has been brilliant, my no.1 guitar. Very well put together and sounds great. I've never played a Standberg but did previously own a Kiesel Holdsworth which was also great.

Power_Freak

I own a kiesel that I bought as a new custom order from them. I had no issues with them, no QC issues or anything like that... In initial set up I lost a screw, they shipped a replacement out the next day when I asked (I offered to pay since it was my mistake, they didn't charge even for international shipping) - note I had to re-setup to change string gauge it's necessary on every guitar I buy.

The only "complaint" I had was the pickup wasn't much to my taste but I was expecting to switch out anyway.

I never owned a strandberg but I played a few, I think the kiesel (hipshot) hardware is better. I don't care much for fan frets (although strandberg isn't the worst for it) otherwise I found the quality somewhat similar if the strandberg specs appeal to you. 

maltingsaudio

Grampa said:

maltingsaudio said:

Just to add a curve ball, I was wanting a headless and trying to decide between the two and have ended up with an Eart for far less money and haven’t put it down for the last  6 months 

Good shout. Do you have any idea about weight, looking for something sub 6lb if possible. Thanks.

6.3 lbs approx

Grampa

@maltingsaudio thank you 

Grampa

Sat surfing the net and watching "School of Rock" with the grandkids. Andertons have the Hils HN3 for £399 including a free gift of the Positive Grid Spark NEO CORE Wired Smart Guitar Headphone Amp. Had a few loyalty points and ended up paying just over £360 inc free delivery. Arriving Wednesday. Seriously considered another Strandberg but after seeing some of the posts in this thread and reading reviews of the Hils I couldn't justify the outlay.