Advantages/ Disadvantages of a Neck-thru

[Obsessive Compulsive]

There is an ESP E-II on sale in my area for a pretty good deal. It's a 2013 Horizon, hard-tailed, neck-thru but I am not familiar with this kinda construction.

What are the pluses and minuses? I don't care about anything related to 'tone' let alone 'sustain' cause I think it's nonsense. I am concerned about the practicality of it: truss rod adjustment, susceptibility to warp, crack, etc. Is it similar to set-in?

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Adieu]

Re: Advantages/ Disadvantages of a Neck-thru

Yeah it's pretty much like a set neck. Weakness wise, not particularly known for any, and an ESP Japan product is about the least likely guitar have major problems with

How much do they want? Which horizon, the assymetrical longhorn horizon 3 or the cockhead archtop superstrat horizon 2?

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Advantages/ Disadvantages of a Neck-thru

Thanks. Here's the photo of the actual guitar. It's a E-II Horizon NTII in black aqua:

[PierceOkken]

Re: Advantages/ Disadvantages of a Neck-thru

One huge weakness of net thru is that if the neck breaks the guitar is shot. You can switch bolt on necks really easy, set neck are harder, but can be done. As for a neck thru, if the neck breaks, the whole guitar is broke. Set necks also have better sustain and are way more comfortable one the left hand.

[Adieu]

Re: Advantages/ Disadvantages of a Neck-thru

Has ANYONE seen a broken headstock ESP outside of intentional guitar destruction rampage? Actually....has anyone even seen one of those, either??

As to replacement necks from ESP, they're supposedly orderable from em but like 40-50% of MSRP = costs more than an intact used ESP. Probably $1000+ shipped.

And an ESP with a knockoff neck....is no longer an ESP.

So, for all intents and purposes, it really doesnt matter lol

[Adieu]

Re: Advantages/ Disadvantages of a Neck-thru

PS used value of an E-II headstock horizon is a couple hundred dollars lower than an ESP headstock horizon... so $800-900 in USA & Japan, ~$150ish more (=cost of ordering from USA or Japan) everywhere else


Btw, 2013 E-II???? That's kinda weird, should be a transition logo ESP Standard Series or LTD Elite (probably not LTD Elite, that seemed to be on Horizon III's)....could be one of the earliest made I guess, but beware of fakes

[PierceOkken]

Re: Advantages/ Disadvantages of a Neck-thru

Has ANYONE seen a broken headstock ESP outside of intentional guitar destruction rampage? Actually....has anyone even seen one of those, either??

As to replacement necks from ESP, they're supposedly orderable from em but like 40-50% of MSRP = costs more than an intact used ESP. Probably $1000+ shipped.

And an ESP with a knockoff neck....is no longer an ESP.

So, for all intents and purposes, it really doesnt matter lol

He asked for the downsides of a neck thru. That is the downside. Bolt ons were invented to solve the neck replacement project. Any yes I have broken a neck. Dropped it and the angled headstock snapped. It was cheaper to slap a new neck on than get the original repaired.

[Silence Kid]

Re: Advantages/ Disadvantages of a Neck-thru

Curious how set necks are more comfortable? Tough to imagine a guitar more ergonomic as far as left-hand access than my totally heel-less Soloist.

[Adieu]

Re: Advantages/ Disadvantages of a Neck-thru

He asked for the downsides of a neck thru. That is the downside. Bolt ons were invented to solve the neck replacement project. Any yes I have broken a neck. Dropped it and the angled headstock snapped. It was cheaper to slap a new neck on than get the original repaired.

Broken a neck on a japanese esp? Or just in general?

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Advantages/ Disadvantages of a Neck-thru

Btw, 2013 E-II???? That's kinda weird, should be a transition logo ESP Standard Series or LTD Elite (probably not LTD Elite, that seemed to be on Horizon III's)....could be one of the earliest made I guess, but beware of fakes

What transition logo are you talking about? I reckon a few years ago ESP expanded its product range, offering ESP USA (MIA) ESP Japan (the highest end of the spectrum) and EII (mid range Japanese made). I can't see any difference besides the brand/ logo. Here's the headstock if it helps:



And the body/ wing joint:

[ehdwuld]

Re: Advantages/ Disadvantages of a Neck-thru

Carvin/keisel have neck thru necks but they may be way different than an esp

If the neck warps or breaks it could be bad
If the fretboard delaminates

If you want to pack it in a suitcase

If you want to smash it on stage

There are several what if scenarios
But the lack of a heel is gonna be the biggest upside

[PierceOkken]

Re: Advantages/ Disadvantages of a Neck-thru

Broken a neck on a japanese esp? Or just in general?

Old jackson soloist

[RorySquier]

Re: Advantages/ Disadvantages of a Neck-thru

One huge weakness of net thru is that if the neck breaks the guitar is shot. You can switch bolt on necks really easy, set neck are harder, but can be done. As for a neck thru, if the neck breaks, the whole guitar is broke. Set necks also have better sustain and are way more comfortable one the left hand.

Set necks have better sustain? I don't know about that...I think neck-thru guitars have better sustain IMHO.



;>)/

[Jeff_H]

Re: Advantages/ Disadvantages of a Neck-thru

As to replacement necks from ESP, they're supposedly orderable from em but like 40-50% of MSRP = costs more than an intact used ESP. Probably $1000+ shipped.

We're talking about a neck thru guitar here, so there is no such thing as a replacement neck for a neck thru guitar.

[PierceOkken]

Re: Advantages/ Disadvantages of a Neck-thru

Set necks have better sustain? I don't know about that...I think neck-thru guitars have better sustain IMHO.



;>)/

Sorry, that is what I meant