Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

[Jessie's ghost]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

The comparison would have been more useful if he'd had a DK1 instead of a DK2.
Personally, I like both sounds, but the USA Soloist is my favorite guitar for that kind of playing.

 

[TravisBean]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

I think gain settings on the amp, pickup output levels, choice of string and picks, and the condition of your calluses will have more to do with your tone than any imaginary sonic differences between set and bolt-on necks.


Edit: Now put a Brass sustain plate under the bridge, and that's something.....................

 

[Jackson Distortion]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

I don't know how it is that you can't tell the difference between bolt-on and neck-thru sound.

 

[Jessie's ghost]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

I don't know how it is that you can't tell the difference between bolt-on and neck-thru sound.

I've been wondering that myself.

 

[TravisBean]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

I can tell a difference in the feel of the instrument, but most of the time a manufacturer will put different pickups in thier bolt on and set neck designs, in addition to different tone pots wiring etc. etc. etc. That's what effecting the sound.
Set necks usually allow easier access to the upper register of an instrument, thus allowing you to play better, which will ultimately result in a better sound.

 

[Jackson Distortion]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

I can tell a difference in the feel of the instrument, but most of the time a manufacturer will put different pickups in thier bolt on and set neck designs, in addition to different tone pots wiring etc. etc. etc. That's what effecting the sound.
Set necks usually allow easier access to the upper register of an instrument, thus allowing you to play better, which will ultimately result in a better sound.

Um...

 

[Jessie's ghost]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

I can tell a difference in the feel of the instrument, but most of the time a manufacturer will put different pickups in thier bolt on and set neck designs, in addition to different tone pots wiring etc. etc. etc. That's what effecting the sound.
Set necks usually allow easier access to the upper register of an instrument, thus allowing you to play better, which will ultimately result in a better sound.

First, we're talking about bolt-ons and neck-throughs, not bolt-ons and set-necks.

Second, we're talking about guitars with the same pickups, pots, wiring, etc.

Third, has it been generally established how much wiring (as in hook-up wire) affects tone, outside the cork-sniffer realm?

Fourth, the part about reaching the upper registers just isn't relevant here. There are plenty of great players who can play anything they want, anywhere they want, and they do it on bolt-ons with big clunky neck heels, set-necks with big clunky neck joints, neck-throughs, etc. Also, how would this account for differences in tone in lower fret positions where neck shape and fret access are identical?

ESP has made some bolt-on guitars with maple bodies and maple necks. By some of the logic we've seen in this thread, they should sound identical to a neck-through guitar with a maple neck and alder wings. How many here think they will?

I've played enough guitars to think there are differences in the sound, generally speaking, between a bolt-on and a neck-through and a set-neck. Nobody has to agree with me or anyone else who holds this position, but it's like anything else: Your perceptions are your perceptions, and they're no more facts than mine are.

 

[David Collins]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

I don't know how it is that you can't tell the difference between bolt-on and neck-thru sound.

I don't believe that myself or others were saying we could not tell the difference between the sound of two different guitars, one being a bolt on, the other a neck through. What I was saying was simply that attributing the change in tone directly or primarily to the neck joint itself is incorrect.

There are many other factors which generally correlate with these different construction styles, many of which can hold potential to notably affect tone. Many of these factors are so inevitably tied to this construction difference that may even be fair to summarize the two styles as generally having distinctly different tones. All I was trying to point out however, is that the method of neck fastening itself is just not a significant influence here.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

Just a thought.....but the fingerboard material is different.....

Just a thought...

 

[Nagash]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

The SL2H and the DK2M don't compare at all, the SL2H is just much better because the SL2H is a very high quality US Select guitar and the DK2M is a regular import.

However, if you would compare the SL2H and the DK1 (US Select Dinky, so bolt-on), I'd still say the SL2H but that's because I'm a neck-through freak ^^. But the DK1 is a monster as well

 

[Dr.K]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

All I was trying to point out however, is that the method of neck fastening itself is just not a significant influence here.

Significant? Possibly not but it does have an influence.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

I prefer bolt on neck guitars, just for practical reasons. And I'd say the majority of the electric guitar based music I love has been recorded with bolt on neck guitars.

I didn't enjoy the sound on those videos very much for either.

 

[Jackson Distortion]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

I don't believe that myself or others were saying we could not tell the difference between the sound of two different guitars, one being a bolt on, the other a neck through. What I was saying was simply that attributing the change in tone directly or primarily to the neck joint itself is incorrect.

There are many other factors which generally correlate with these different construction styles, many of which can hold potential to notably affect tone. Many of these factors are so inevitably tied to this construction difference that may even be fair to summarize the two styles as generally having distinctly different tones. All I was trying to point out however, is that the method of neck fastening itself is just not a significant influence here.

Well, I was just responding to the other guy because he said and I quote, "I think gain settings on the amp, pickup output levels, choice of string and picks, and the condition of your calluses will have more to do with your tone than any imaginary sonic differences between set and bolt-on necks."

It was the bolded part that I couldn't understand because it sounded like they were wholly disregarding the sonic differences between the builds.

 

[marcello252]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

In my experience every glued in neck guitar I played has always had a medium to long sustain, only few bolt on neck had a long sustain, the most expensive indeed.
That said I've only one glued in neck guitar, the others are all bolt on (I do prefer longer scale)

 

[Jackson Distortion]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

In my experience every glued in neck guitar I played has always had a medium to long sustain, only few bolt on neck had a long sustain, the most expensive indeed.
That said I've only one glued in neck guitar, the others are all bolt on (I do prefer longer scale)

Question: What kind of guitar strings do you prefer for your long-scales?

 

[TravisBean]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

I don't believe that myself or others were saying we could not tell the difference between the sound of two different guitars, one being a bolt on, the other a neck through. What I was saying was simply that attributing the change in tone directly or primarily to the neck joint itself is incorrect.

There are many other factors which generally correlate with these different construction styles, many of which can hold potential to notably affect tone. Many of these factors are so inevitably tied to this construction difference that may even be fair to summarize the two styles as generally having distinctly different tones. All I was trying to point out however, is that the method of neck fastening itself is just not a significant influence here.

Quoted for truth.

 

[Wonker]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

Am I the only guitar player on the internet that can’t really tell any difference between the tone of a well made bolt-on or well made set neck / neck through guitar?

I tend to find that well before the construction of necks comes in to play or wood choice even becomes a factor that tone in electric guitars comes down to the amp, tubes, gain settings, string size, pickups, anything in your signal path like pedals and a ton of other factors.

In the studio when a ton of post processing is done good luck being able to tell what neck construction was used on the guitar played.

I’ve seen some amazing guitar players pick up bolt on neck $299 squires and play through some nice amps and it sounds awesome!

 

[kramer.geetar]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

Someone mentioned electronics don't make a difference, I disagree. Take a Strat for example and disconnect the tone pots and tell me you don't hear a difference or play a guitar with just a humbucker in the bridge, 500k pot and output jack.

 

[Jessie's ghost]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

The comparison would have been more useful if he'd had a DK1 instead of a DK2.
Personally, I like both sounds, but the USA Soloist is my favorite guitar for that kind of playing.

The SL2H and the DK2M don't compare at all, the SL2H is just much better because the SL2H is a very high quality US Select guitar and the DK2M is a regular import.

However, if you would compare the SL2H and the DK1 (US Select Dinky, so bolt-on), I'd still say the SL2H but that's because I'm a neck-through freak ^^. But the DK1 is a monster as well

Hmm… these guys may be onto something. :scratchch

It's amazing, really. This is a forum where people nerd out over pickup magnets, capacitors, and pots as having monumental effects on the tone of a guitar, and yet we're summarily dismissing the impact of basic construction techniques.

I've glued the necks in several guitars (and a bass), and in all cases I noticed a market change in the feel, resonance, and tone of the instruments. My results have been dismissed as bogus, with detractors saying things like, "How did you determine there was a difference?" and "This is BS; so-and-so took two identical bolt-on-guitars, glued one neck in, then A/B'd them and couldn't tell any difference."

YODORMY. (Your own denial of reality may vary.)

 

[Jessie's ghost]

Re: Neck-through vs Bolt-on (tone-wise)

I’ve seen some amazing guitar players pick up bolt on neck $299 squires and play through some nice amps and it sounds awesome!

I'm sure no one here doubts this, but I don't know that it proves anything relevant to the thread. We're mainly discussing whether bolt-ons or neck-throughs sound different. Which one sounds better is subjective; I think they sound good in different ways.