I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
- Thread starter ImmortalSix
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blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
There's a whole bunch of factors involved, like guitar design, hardware, scale length, body-neck-headstock all in one plane, trem vs tune-o-matic, etc. It's hard to pin it down to just the neck attachment. I think some of this is personal preference too. After years of playing 335's, LP's, SG's, and hollowbodies, Strats & Teles give me the creeps.
There's a whole bunch of factors involved, like guitar design, hardware, scale length, body-neck-headstock all in one plane, trem vs tune-o-matic, etc. It's hard to pin it down to just the neck attachment. I think some of this is personal preference too. After years of playing 335's, LP's, SG's, and hollowbodies, Strats & Teles give me the creeps.
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
I like bolt-ons for the ease of repair/replacement factor, the tone differences don't amount to that much to me. I have a 24 3/4 bolt-on eclipse (mahogany body & neck) that has serious mid honk to it, so I think maybe it's a material/scale length over construction thing. That said, I have 2 bolt-ons and 3 set neck guitars.
I like bolt-ons for the ease of repair/replacement factor, the tone differences don't amount to that much to me. I have a 24 3/4 bolt-on eclipse (mahogany body & neck) that has serious mid honk to it, so I think maybe it's a material/scale length over construction thing. That said, I have 2 bolt-ons and 3 set neck guitars.
mrturtle_91
New member
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
I've never owned a set neck guitar, hell, even my acoustic is a bolt on!! Not that I'd never owned one, the guitars I've liked so far just happen to have been bolt on.
I've never owned a set neck guitar, hell, even my acoustic is a bolt on!! Not that I'd never owned one, the guitars I've liked so far just happen to have been bolt on.
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
This is all about unplugged sound - not ease of travel or swappability - just the sound, and I mean the inherent sound, not the sound as influenced by pickups and electronics.
I am just curious if anybody else hears the difference as notably as I do - not necessarily which is better or worse.
I never feel enough low end vibration on my set necks.
This is all about unplugged sound - not ease of travel or swappability - just the sound, and I mean the inherent sound, not the sound as influenced by pickups and electronics.
I am just curious if anybody else hears the difference as notably as I do - not necessarily which is better or worse.
I never feel enough low end vibration on my set necks.
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
Yep---I only use a bolt-on guitar if I have to...which isn't often. When I see somebody with a Fender, I tend to reach for my earplugs and check the nearest exit.
Yep---I only use a bolt-on guitar if I have to...which isn't often. When I see somebody with a Fender, I tend to reach for my earplugs and check the nearest exit.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
The thing is, with an electric guitar all that really matters is the amplified sound. Who plays on stage or records with an unplugged electric guitar? It's not even relevant. The human ear isn't able to hear all the nuances and subtleties. Plug it in, baby. That tells the story.
The thing is, with an electric guitar all that really matters is the amplified sound. Who plays on stage or records with an unplugged electric guitar? It's not even relevant. The human ear isn't able to hear all the nuances and subtleties. Plug it in, baby. That tells the story.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
A kindred spirit. God bless you.
Several years ago while watching some local blues bands play, I was talked into going on stage, and not expecting this, I didn't have one of my own guitars with me, so I ended up borrowing someone's Strat once and a Tele another time. I still wake up in a cold sweat thinking about it. I just hope no one took a picture.
A kindred spirit. God bless you.
Several years ago while watching some local blues bands play, I was talked into going on stage, and not expecting this, I didn't have one of my own guitars with me, so I ended up borrowing someone's Strat once and a Tele another time. I still wake up in a cold sweat thinking about it. I just hope no one took a picture.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
I think it's hard to make a final judgement since most bolt-on guitars have a tremolo with sustain block, a steel bridge holding the pickup or at least string-through-body. Whereas most set-neck guitars have a TOM and stop tailpiece, or some other post-mounted thing.
I think this requires that I play more PRS guitars with trem.
As a tendency I agree, though. For the weak data available, I can say that e.g. the Music Man Steve Morse model, which is a TOM on a bolt-on neck, sounds very good.
I think it's hard to make a final judgement since most bolt-on guitars have a tremolo with sustain block, a steel bridge holding the pickup or at least string-through-body. Whereas most set-neck guitars have a TOM and stop tailpiece, or some other post-mounted thing.
I think this requires that I play more PRS guitars with trem.
As a tendency I agree, though. For the weak data available, I can say that e.g. the Music Man Steve Morse model, which is a TOM on a bolt-on neck, sounds very good.
j9fd3s
New member
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
i'd never played my LP unplugged before! but i just sat down and played it acoustically, and then a strat and my tele.
the LP is kinda muddy unplugged.
the strat is very clear by comparison, its also got a frequency hump, but its a higher frequency, and its not a big width, if that makes sense. its a narrower frequency band than the LP. it sounds pretty natural unplugged, almost like the tone plugged and unplugged is close
the tele is in between id say. it sounds nice acoustically too
interestingly sustain between all 3 is close enough to be the same unplugged.
plugged in is different. i basically have an amp for the single coils and an amp for the HB's...
mike
i'd never played my LP unplugged before! but i just sat down and played it acoustically, and then a strat and my tele.
the LP is kinda muddy unplugged.
the strat is very clear by comparison, its also got a frequency hump, but its a higher frequency, and its not a big width, if that makes sense. its a narrower frequency band than the LP. it sounds pretty natural unplugged, almost like the tone plugged and unplugged is close
the tele is in between id say. it sounds nice acoustically too
interestingly sustain between all 3 is close enough to be the same unplugged.
plugged in is different. i basically have an amp for the single coils and an amp for the HB's...
mike
RealtyViking
New member
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
Alright I tried this with the two closest guitars I had available. I used a Gibson SG carved top and a Godin CT signature.
They both have mahogany bodies, mahogany necks, carved maple tops and tune-o-matic bridges. Both are hardtails with the Gibson using a standard tailpeice and the Godin has a string through design.
The SG has a 24 fret ebony board with a set neck. The Godin CT has a 22 fret rosewood board with a bolt on neck.
The Godin is far and away the better guitar unplugged.
Alright I tried this with the two closest guitars I had available. I used a Gibson SG carved top and a Godin CT signature.
They both have mahogany bodies, mahogany necks, carved maple tops and tune-o-matic bridges. Both are hardtails with the Gibson using a standard tailpeice and the Godin has a string through design.
The SG has a 24 fret ebony board with a set neck. The Godin CT has a 22 fret rosewood board with a bolt on neck.
The Godin is far and away the better guitar unplugged.
G
Grandturk
Guest
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
Unplugged "tone" and "unplugged tone-sniffery" is pretty much just a measure of that - unplugged tone. I don't play electric guitars acoustically, and so I don't give much creadence to an electric's acoustic "plink."
My SG sounds like a banjo unplugged. No thanks. Plug that eFFer in!
Unplugged "tone" and "unplugged tone-sniffery" is pretty much just a measure of that - unplugged tone. I don't play electric guitars acoustically, and so I don't give much creadence to an electric's acoustic "plink."
My SG sounds like a banjo unplugged. No thanks. Plug that eFFer in!
J
Jessie Sammler
Guest
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
+1 I agree. It's fine to be pleased with the way an electric sounds unplugged, but if the way it sounds plugged in isn't at least ten times more important to you, you're playing the wrong instrument. If you're going to weigh the acoustic sound so heavily, you might be the kind of guy who decides whether a woman is attractive by reviewing facial micrometer measurements instead of looking at her.
It's fine to prefer one construction style over another, but I'd rather not hear about it. The way I see it, set-neck, bolt-on, and neck-through are like lobster, filet mignon, and roast pheasant -- they're three very different ways of putting awesome food on your plate. If you only like one of them and want to have it all the time, go right ahead. Just don't go around thinking everyone else is wrong, though, because they're not.
+1 I agree. It's fine to be pleased with the way an electric sounds unplugged, but if the way it sounds plugged in isn't at least ten times more important to you, you're playing the wrong instrument. If you're going to weigh the acoustic sound so heavily, you might be the kind of guy who decides whether a woman is attractive by reviewing facial micrometer measurements instead of looking at her.
It's fine to prefer one construction style over another, but I'd rather not hear about it. The way I see it, set-neck, bolt-on, and neck-through are like lobster, filet mignon, and roast pheasant -- they're three very different ways of putting awesome food on your plate. If you only like one of them and want to have it all the time, go right ahead. Just don't go around thinking everyone else is wrong, though, because they're not.
GoDrex
Riffologist Extraordinaire
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
I only have bolt-on guitars, but not really on purpose. It just sort of happened.
I only have bolt-on guitars, but not really on purpose. It just sort of happened.
JaySwear
New member
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
i agree. weirdly enough the bigger neck heel just feels more "solid" to me than a set neck or neck through that really would be closer to being truly solid. i love the feel, and since all my guitars right now are warmoth i can swap necks and replace them pretty easily if there's anything i don't like or if i have any problems.
only owned two set necks, both gibsons. liked the SG i had, wasn't as much a fan of the les paul bfg. liked the scale length for standard tuning though. so my next warmoth neck will be a 24.75" strat neck ready for a floyd nut. got to love custom shops AND the ability to swap necks around
EDIT: and + another 1 on the acoustic qualities of an electric guitar not being important. it's nice to have a resonant guitar you can hear while you're watching TV, but otherwise i don't see the importance.
i agree. weirdly enough the bigger neck heel just feels more "solid" to me than a set neck or neck through that really would be closer to being truly solid. i love the feel, and since all my guitars right now are warmoth i can swap necks and replace them pretty easily if there's anything i don't like or if i have any problems.
only owned two set necks, both gibsons. liked the SG i had, wasn't as much a fan of the les paul bfg. liked the scale length for standard tuning though. so my next warmoth neck will be a 24.75" strat neck ready for a floyd nut. got to love custom shops AND the ability to swap necks around
EDIT: and + another 1 on the acoustic qualities of an electric guitar not being important. it's nice to have a resonant guitar you can hear while you're watching TV, but otherwise i don't see the importance.
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blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
Right. And how much of an unplugged guitar can you hear with the TV on anyways?
Even if it does sound great acoustically, if you have the wrong match of PU-to-wood, it'll sound like crap when you plug it in. How many of us own CD's of unplugged electric guitar music? What are you going to tell an audience: "I know my guitar sounds lousy tonight, but you should hear it unplugged. Wait, everyone listen. No one say a word. Can you hear that? Let me try again."
From my own experience, and posts I've read here, a guitar's acoustic tone, may or may not, have a direct relationship to it's amplified tone. No guarantee it will come through the signal chain intact. Everything alters that tone, from the PU, magnet, and pots, to the cord, amp, tubes, and speakers.
Right. And how much of an unplugged guitar can you hear with the TV on anyways?
Even if it does sound great acoustically, if you have the wrong match of PU-to-wood, it'll sound like crap when you plug it in. How many of us own CD's of unplugged electric guitar music? What are you going to tell an audience: "I know my guitar sounds lousy tonight, but you should hear it unplugged. Wait, everyone listen. No one say a word. Can you hear that? Let me try again."
From my own experience, and posts I've read here, a guitar's acoustic tone, may or may not, have a direct relationship to it's amplified tone. No guarantee it will come through the signal chain intact. Everything alters that tone, from the PU, magnet, and pots, to the cord, amp, tubes, and speakers.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
Remember, every piece of wood is unique in density, grain, mineral content, water content, etc, even if cut from the same tree. Which guitar do you take to a gig, and play unplugged all night? Or is the amplified sound the only thing that matters on stage.
Remember, every piece of wood is unique in density, grain, mineral content, water content, etc, even if cut from the same tree. Which guitar do you take to a gig, and play unplugged all night? Or is the amplified sound the only thing that matters on stage.
vegetablejoe
New member
Re: I Like Bolt-On Guitars Better Than Set Necks
Yes, but not for the same reason...
I once went through an open-air soundcheck at 3pm, and I couldn't keep my LP in tune to save my life. My bandleader kept giving me the evil-eye. My H-H strat saved my neck that afternoon.
Ever since then, I don't bring a set-neck unless it's a cool evening and we're indoors, however much I love my lp and semi-hollow.
Yes, but not for the same reason...
I once went through an open-air soundcheck at 3pm, and I couldn't keep my LP in tune to save my life. My bandleader kept giving me the evil-eye. My H-H strat saved my neck that afternoon.
Ever since then, I don't bring a set-neck unless it's a cool evening and we're indoors, however much I love my lp and semi-hollow.
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