Kiesel VS .Strandberg* | Headless Hardware Shootout | Guitar Craft

Hello internet!

Rob from A Minor Error with a new video comparing the hardware of two very popular headless guitar manufacturers...Kiesel and Strandberg. Both of these companies offer a well made guitar, but there are some large differences between the two companies.

First off, Kiesel currently doesn't offer a tremolo system for a multi scale guitar. Kiesel relies mostly on Hip Shot hardware, and currently Hip Shot doesn't make a tremolo for a multi scale. This is where Strandberg is the clear winner, and part of reason why my main guitar for leads is a Strandberg and not a Kiesel currently.

Kiesel however is a full custom shop guitar manufacturer which means when you order one direct you can customize all aspects of the guitar to any wood, color, multi scale or traditional scale lengths. The Hip Shot hardware on my Kiesel Vader VM7 is very reliable and very well made. It isn't as cosmetically appealing in my opinion though, and if you have to have a tremolo on your multi scale guitar, that will be a deal breaker.

The Strandberg's system is proprietary from them and it's very well made. Both the fixed bridge and the tremolo system is well made with high quality aluminum components, and it's been designed to replace components as they wear. I have had some problems with reliability gigging my OS Boden Original on older strings. The nut would all of a sudden loose the ability to hold the string in place and then the string would break all together. I also have a problem on string changes with my Boden Metal 8 in that strings won't clear the gap between the nut and the small silver disc inside the locking nut.

At the end of the day, I love both of these brands and find that they both are offering something that the other company isn't. The customization of ordering a brand new Kiesel is undeniably cool and the Hip Shot hardware is as dependable as anything I've ever played. On the flip side, Strandberg guitars are offering a tremolo with a multi scale guitar that really no other major brands are offering. The endure neck, and body design is also so comfortable and unique.

0:00 - Intro
0:52 - Kiesel Guitars
2:54 - Strandberg Guitars
4:37 - Differences and Problems
8:05 - Conclusions

#kiesel #strandberg #shootout

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello internet...my name is is Rob Craft and welcome to my youtube channel!

'A Minor Error' is the creative home for all things I do in music: instrumental progressive metal music, product reviews, tip videos and free music lessons. Leave me a comment or question, I try and reply to all comments within a day!

Stop by my bandcamp to buy tabs from my songs and videos.

Follow me on all the socials:

[davidpeebles]

Great video! About the discs, they're not needed on the wound strings. I took mine out of the 6th, 7th, and 8th strings. They're really there for the plain strings so they don't snap when you tighten them down. Also, about the 0 fret. I had a Classic 6 that would ping like crazy, but I never really used it because I wasn't inspired to play it. However, my Original 8 has the grooves, but doesn't ping at all. Maybe the grooves have dug in far enough to where the string doesn't pop out anymore? Who knows.

[normbarrows]

As a builder I find these types of videos very helpful. Things like "not double locking", fiddly nut lock designs, "traditional strap button locations", and tonal differences between a nut and a zero fret. As a player for 40+ years, I'm all too familiar with that last one, but not all builders might be. Excessive zero fret wear is indicative of a poor material choice for the zero fret, such as nickel silver fret wire as opposed to stainless steel. I prefer a metal nut with no tonal differences and no wear issues, such as a Floyd rose or a Steinberger.

[solkvist]

I’m not really much of a metal guy so I’m not exactly the target audience of headless guitars, but the strandberg’s ergonomic system always interested me. I instantly ordered the sälen jazz as soon as I saw it (from Sweetwater since they do their own QC) and it was wonderful. It’s built very well, plays incredibly, and most importantly is comfortable, which I can’t say for any guitar besides it now thanks to carpal tunnel that I developed 2 years ago. The endurneck alone would have been enough for me to consider strandberg as my only choice, but it’s also got all the upsides of the headless system, and I’m very happy with what I got.

Ironically I’ve gotten into bass a lot recently so it’s sat around collecting dust more than it usually would, but until we get a 6 string strandberg bass I’m going to have to wait for that purchase as well. When it comes to ergonomics strandberg is king, and frankly that is now the most important thing for me at this point. Thank god they also sound good.

[JimDewdGuitars]

I really love my Vader. I don't play multiscale buy I have heard jeff kiesel mention that he doesn't feel like there is a multuscale trem that works well enough to put on his guitars, and that he doesn't wanna take your money for a bridge he doesn't believe in. I would definitely like to see him find a bridge he would feel comfortable putting on his guitars for those that want a multiscale with a trem. Great video! Liked and subscribed

[cyaneamusic.]

i love the scale on the strandbergs. most brands have very aggressive frets. strandbergs fit well for smaller hands

[guitrr]

Your concerns with the Strandberg hardware have been addressed with the NX line. If you can get ahold of one, they are a significant improvement

[rossauce]

Im thinking of retrofitting a hipshot trem on my strandberg to see if it will loosen the tension up and get some flutter action... that stranny takes like 20 lbs of force to manipulate

[palix]

now that kiesel has multiscale trems for both headless and non headless guitars, I'd like to see an update. I have a Vader 7 multiscale with trem build saved on the online builder....just waiting to pull the trigger. lol II have a multiscale 8 zeus from them, and I love it.

[brandonbryson]

Kiesel for me. I mostly play hardtail so the customization and USA build quality is more on par with my interests.

[Theability]

I agree 100% on strandberg stealing business from kiesel with the multiscale trem option, tbh Rob that’s the main reason why I bought my prog 6, 2 yrs ago, been waiting 5 yrs and got tired of waiting for a multiscale trem from kiesel lol. If they would of had that as an option I’d be on my 3rd kiesel and it would have a multiscale trem. Either way both guitars are amazing, I do prefer kiesel just because of the customizing options. As for the endurneck I’m take it or leave it. Another great review! I think you hit every point perfectly on the pros and cons vs each brand. By far the best video review between the 2 brand I’ve seen to date imo.

[GuitarLessonsInsideSyracuseNY]

I own two Strandbergs: Original 7 and Standard NX6. From my experience the O7 is a spectacular playing guitar! The NX6 has it's advantages with the newer hardware but the build quality feels 'off' when compared to the O7. When I got my O7 I had to do a single setup and hardly had to do much else with it since then. I will admit the hardware on the old models are a little clunky which thankfully hasn't been a major issue besides needing to tune every once in a while. The standard NX6 is overall fine, I find myself always needing to adjust the height of the strings to my liking almost every time I wanna play it, and the newer hardware is less clunky than the old one.

As for Kiesel, almost every guitar I tried by them have been very nice. They're builds are quality.

[darkmotherboard]

u didnt do a review on how to afford these two fantastic axe!

[gabrielbeginlarocque]

I love my Strandberg but don’t get me wrong, they could do better hardware wise .

[ehsanhaq]

I'm here wondering how the Ibanez Q holds up against these....

[mathprodigy]

Brudda i am really looking forward to this one, i own a headless Kiesel and want a Strandberg, never held one in my hands

[Beyond-Antares]

Amazing video. What kind of fretboard did you get on your vader?

[vk]

I heard that the high frets access is terrible on the strandberg is it true ??

[LogicalQ]

Update: Kiesel now has a multi-scale trem

[stevejames]

Hey Rob I meant to ask -- any initial thoughts on Ibanez throwing their hat into the headless arena? I'm hearing some kind of questionable stuff regarding their application of fanned frets, though I'm interested in hearing how their tuning system fares to Strandberg's. I guess it won't be long before Jackson, Fender, and everyone else have their own headless offering LOL?! Just kidding, I know that ain't happenin' LOL..

[BigSlow]

Update : Kiesel multiscale tremolo is available