HILS Headless on the cheap. Seems too good to be true

My first headless guitar. Well, guitars. Plural.

I liked the first so much I bought a second. I don’t really have anything to add to the other reviews. It plays well and is super comfortable. It’s light as a feather. Surprisingly resonant—I can feel the guitar in my gut. It stays in tune just fine.

Changing strings was a learning process. Very similar to the first time I put strings on my Tele with vintage-style tuners. If the string isn’t installed right, it becomes a royal PITA to tune.

The blue one has a darker roast on the neck, but they’re otherwise very consistent. There are minor finish imperfections - Orange was a bit over sanded near the heel, Blue has a sizable dent under the finish on the backside. There are other very minor bits and bobs to nitpick, but for $450, it’s hard to complain when the guitar itself punches above its weight class (IMHO).

All in all, these are really cool guitars, and I’ve struggled to put them down. I’m going to keep the HH config in one, and I think I’ll put some humbucker-sized P90s in the other.


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eggpl@nt said:
My first headless guitar. Well, guitars. Plural.

I liked the first so much I bought a second. I don’t really have anything to add to the other reviews. It plays well and is super comfortable. It’s light as a feather. Surprisingly resonant—I can feel the guitar in my gut. It stays in tune just fine.

Changing strings was a learning process. Very similar to the first time I put strings on my Tele with vintage-style tuners. If the string isn’t installed right, it becomes a royal PITA to tune.

The blue one has a darker roast on the neck, but they’re otherwise very consistent. There are minor finish imperfections - Orange was a bit over sanded near the heel, Blue has a sizable dent under the finish on the backside. There are other very minor bits and bobs to nitpick, but for $450, it’s hard to complain when the guitar itself punches above its weight class (IMHO).

All in all, these are really cool guitars, and I’ve struggled to put them down. I’m going to keep the HH config in one, and I think I’ll put some humbucker-sized P90s in the other.


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Those colors compliment each other..... awesome to hear you purchased 2.......I eventually noticed 1 imperfection...but didn't care like yourself. Its stupid how low you can get the action.

How do you like the rear strap button placement?

I really want to move mine to the back of the body....but thinking more towards getting a custom made strap to accommodate the awkward strap issue i keep having.
 
eggpl@nt said:
I don't mind the strap button placement at all. No issues playing standing or sitting with a strap. What issue are you having?
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Just feels a bit awkward to me...I play a bit higher up than most......and I seems to push the guitar further back than I would like.

I just moved it down for now, and will get a narrower lower strap made for that guitar.
 
likitlikeyoulikeit said:
Just feels a bit awkward to me...I play a bit higher up than most......and I seems to push the guitar further back than I would like.

I just moved it down for now, and will get a narrower lower strap made for that guitar.
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Hm. I keep my guitars slung high too. My Couch Seatbelt straps are at their minimum length, and the NEXT sits at a pretty comfortable place for me--granted, probably a tad lower than another, similarly-shaped guitar (e.g. EBMM Majesty) might with the same strap length. My strap might be shorter; my build might be thiccer. Not sure.

It did sit too far too low for me with my padded strap. I'll keep that one on heavier guitars, since I don't really need a 3", padded strap for a 4lbs guitar.
 
eggpl@nt said:
Hm. I keep my guitars slung high too. My Couch Seatbelt straps are at their minimum length, and the NEXT sits at a pretty comfortable place for me--granted, probably a tad lower than another, similarly-shaped guitar (e.g. EBMM Majesty) might with the same strap length. My strap might be shorter; my build might be thiccer. Not sure.

It did sit too far too low for me with my padded strap. I'll keep that one on heavier guitars, since I don't really need a 3", padded strap for a 4lbs guitar.
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I also loop my cord through the strap....an old habit from way back when I used to rip cords to pieces during practice and live.

This tends to exaggerated the issue. Just my own personal thing, I suppose. Like I said, I'll figure out an elegant solution. Not a big issue, just wondering how you felt about it.
 
Eagle said:
I have been a fan of headless since I played my first Steinberger in the mid 80s . But just cutting of the head of a pretty mediocre guitar is not enough.
My favourites in production now are Aristides ,Strandberg , and Mayones. My GLs are still up there even after 40 years but long discontinued.
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The Hils headless is amazing for the price and equal to Ibanez
 
RichardJ said:
The Hils headless Next is a fantastic guitar and twice as nice as the 499 it cost. Stainless frets, great pickups and mahogany. Highly recommend!
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Mmm it’s value for money but the pickups are mhe at best and it won’t be mahogany. The jury is out on the hardware for longevity and replacement parts will be a problem.
 
I still enjoy mine......the pickups are not my favorite.....but they aren't crap....also, the coil split on these is amazing....the first one I actually find myself using, which is saying something...for me anyway.

After more time with the hardware, it's far more robust than I originally thought, and seems to be of a higher quality than initially believed to be. Also the anodized finish is very robust and is nice.

While I have not played an Ibby in a long time, this is a nice guitar, especially for the price. I have played guitars valued at 5 times the price that I didn't like.....this I do.

It is inspiring to play, and makes me play better ....for the price I paid, I feel I stole the guitar. This is the best way I can put it .

Also, why would you question the body wood type.... without actually knowing for fact....a little disappointed by that statement if I'm honest....as I have no reason to believe it isn't mahogany.

Not like it's that precious of a wood..... sometimes I wonder about things here ...

Anyway...enjoy that thing ....it is fun and was a great purchase....even if it isn't a 5000usd composite masterpiece.

I do.

😉
 
Warmart said:
Just got a message from HILS, they mistakenly sent me 2 guitars, lmao.

Can keep the 2nd one for a reduced price or they will send me a return label.

Any one want the 2nd, hit me up. @Stone , please pickup the orange courtesy phone.

Although, possession is 9/10ths and all :grin
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How are you liking the Hils. I have several high end guitars but the Hils is just as good for sound output and my son prefers it over a strat.
 
likitlikeyoulikeit said:
I still enjoy mine......the pickups are not my favorite.....but they aren't crap....also, the coil split on these is amazing....the first one I actually find myself using, which is saying something...for me anyway.

After more time with the hardware, it's far more robust than I originally thought, and seems to be of a higher quality than initially believed to be. Also the anodized finish is very robust and is nice.

While I have not played an Ibby in a long time, this is a nice guitar, especially for the price. I have played guitars valued at 5 times the price that I didn't like.....this I do.

It is inspiring to play, and makes me play better ....for the price I paid, I feel I stole the guitar. This is the best way I can put it .

Also, why would you question the body wood type.... without actually knowing for fact....a little disappointed by that statement if I'm honest....as I have no reason to believe it isn't mahogany.

Not like it's that precious of a wood..... sometimes I wonder about things here ...

Anyway...enjoy that thing ....it is fun and was a great purchase....even if it isn't a 5000usd composite masterpiece.

I do.

😉
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Yes there is a strong reason to assume it's not mahogany . Out of all the Chinese brands I have ever seen about half say they use mahogany and 0% do . It's extremely uncommon on anything remotely budget . The construction details and specifications are usually a work of fiction on anything like this.
 
I'm not gonna be an ass like anyone else that argues with you.

Assuming anything is folly, and making declarative statements without evidence is false...period.

It's cool, you have plenty of experience, which I appreciate and respect....but this action is indefensible. I expect better from you.

If one is to make such statements, I expect evidence and direct experience with the guitar in question, from the manufacturer in question.
Which isn't Chinese, by the way.

Hex guitars is the parent company, which is SK. Guitars are made in Indonesia.

What one doesn't need is an experienced and trusted tech and wood worker, shitting all over their knowingly cheap equipment....as has been pointed out on numerous occasions, you have terrible timing and bed side manner.

Someone enjoys a new guitar, here comes eagle with some fresh skat to drop on it ....come on dude....be better.

Sometimes it's better to just let someone enjoy their thing ....just like we allow you to enjoy your thing, which is becoming a bit tiresome. Not much use for this type of behavior, imo.

Not meant to be an ass ..just a friendly observation.😉
 
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