HILS headless guitars: 5 reasons why you should try one

Not too familiar with HILS headless guitars? Well, don’t lose your head, because you’re probably not alone. HILS Guitars has only been around since the early noughties, which is the blink of an eye compared to some of the more established names in the guitar world. And it’s only in the last few years that the brand has branched out into Europe.

We started stocking HILS in 2024, and their electric guitars were an instant hit. Why? Well, we’ve put together five reasons that highlight how HILS headless guitars have made such an impression and why you should check ’em out.

1. Ergonomic designs

Headless guitars first hit the scene in the ‘80s, so they’re not exactly a new idea. While those early instruments were trendy for a bit, they weren’t particularly comfortable with their tiny, square-shaped bodies. And as you can imagine, they weren’t the prettiest guitars either (not naming names…).

However, headless guitars have enjoyed something of a renaissance over the last decade, thanks in large part to Strandberg Guitars. They took the concept to new heights, placing even more emphasis on comfort, balance and playability. Those Swedes sure know how to design good stuff, don’t they? They really look the biz too.

Six HILS HNS1 and HNT1 headless guitars lined up against a wooden wall on a colourful rug

HILS guitars prioritise those same qualities. By ditching the headstock, their instruments are lightweight (under 3kg), compact and a doddle to pick up and play just about anywhere. On top of that, their bodies are ergonomically shaped to encourage good playing posture, letting you focus on sharpening your skills rather than faffing around trying to get comfortable.

They even feature rubber feet, so you can safely lean them against a wall or amp without fear of them toppling over. It’ll save you buying another stand, too!

2. Premium specs, affordable prices

The downside of many headless guitars is that they often cost a small fortune. That’s where HILS comes in. They’ve cracked the code, delivering a high-end feel at a price that won’t have you wincing (or making excuses to your other half).

The value for money offered by HILS headless guitars becomes clear the moment you take a look at their spec sheets. Here are just some of the premium features you’ll find across much of the range:

Quality tonewoods & hardware: Real Mahogany bodies, bone nuts and custom hardtail or HILS by Alchemy tremolo guitar bridges provide solid tone and dependable tuning stability.
Roasted Maple necks: Super stable and resistant to changes in temperature and humidity, keeping your tuning locked in with added sustain and a smooth playing feel, thanks to their silky satin finish.
12″ to 16″ compound radius fingerboards: Comfortable for lower-register chords while remaining flat and fast higher up the neck, perfect for technical playing and choke-free bends.
Stainless steel frets: Resist wear far longer than traditional nickel-silver frets, so they stand up to years of bending, shredding and riffing with a glassy, effortless feel under the fingers.
Versatile pickups: Available with everything from custom-voiced Alnico V single-coils to ceramic humbuckers and active/rail pickups. The HN6 model even comes equipped with Fishman Fluence pickups!

A HILS HN3 Baritone headless electric guitar in Olive Drab leaning up against a wooden wall and surrounded by plants

3. Flexible electronics

We just touched on the electronics in the previous section, but let’s take a closer look at the clever stuff going on under the hood of HILS headless guitars. Most models pair their pickups with push/pull coil-splitting tone controls, giving you access to sparkling single-coil tones simply by pulling up on the tone knob.

For gigging guitarists, that kind of flexibility is a huge plus. Being able to switch instantly from chunky humbucker power to spanky single-coil sounds means you can cover a lot of musical ground with one instrument. So, you can forget about lugging multiple guitars to your next show!

Then there’s the flagship HILS HN6. Equipped with Fishman Fluence pickups, it lets you switch between two distinct voices using the push/pull volume control. Here’s what each one brings to the table:

Voice 1: Delivers a tight, percussive attack with aggressive crunch and plenty of punch. This mode’s ideal for progressive metal, djent and high-gain riffing.
Voice 2: Opens up a more organic and dynamic tone, offering airy cleans and great note definition.

A close-up of a guitar body showing the controls and tremolo bridge

4. Extended-range models available

Love low tunings and crushing the most proggy, titanic riffs imaginable? HILS offer a range of headless guitars built to shake stages and kick-start mosh pits, all thanks to their extended-range designs. Here’s what you’ll find in the lineup:

HN3 Baritone: Based on the best-selling HN3 model, this headless baritone guitar boasts a 27.5″ scale length optimised for drop tunings. It comes strung in B Standard from the factory, so you can plug in and chug to your heart’s content.
HZ7: A multi-scale, 7-string monster with a 25.5″ to 26.5″ scale length that keeps string tension balanced across the fingerboard. The result? Tight, articulate riffs on the lower strings with a comfortable feel for leads higher up the neck. It’s also loaded with active humbuckers for crystal-clear tones that cut through even the busiest mixes. Plus, there are some seriously eye-catching finish options!
HZ8: Essentially an 8-string version of the HZ7, albeit with a longer 26.5″ to 28″ multi-scale design and a set of passive rail pickups. The rail design helps ensure consistent output and string-to-string balance across the wider spacing of an 8-string guitar, so notes ring out clearly even on the lowest string.

Three HILS HZ7 multi-scale 7-string headless guitars in green, black and yellow against a black background

5. Included gig bag

The icing on the cake is that every HILS headless guitar comes with an included gig bag, even the most affordable models. That means these headless guitars are ready for rehearsals, gigs and the odd studio sesh straight out of the box.

This isn’t some flimsy fabric cover with a cheap screen-printed logo, either. HILS gig bags are properly padded for extra protection, with a large zip-up pocket for your guitar accessories and an internal neck cradle that helps keep your instrument secure on the move.

You even get a slick embroidered HILS logo on the front. Plus, the backpack-style straps make load-ins that little bit easier, leaving your hands free for all your other gigging essentials.

A dark purple guitar sitting in an open gig bag in a wooden studio

Want to learn more?

Want to stay in the loop with all the latest product gossip? Stick our gear news page in your bookmarks. Or head over to our learn section for in-depth guides and expert buying advice.

Head(less) over heels?

Shop all HILS guitars