set neck strats? mahogany strats?

[lp_gem]

Is there any reason why these combos arent common place? is it just tradition to have bolt neck alder/ash strats and people tend to stick with it?

Would a set neck alder/ash strat sound better than a bolt neck (the same way a set neck LP/PRS is superior to a bolt neck), or does it lose some of its strat qualities people have come to know and love?

 

[big_black]

Re: set neck strats? mahogany strats?

Set-neck is not superior to a bolt-on.

Both neck joints being properly made, a bolt-on will more snappy because of the direct wood-to-wood contact. I think that is something a Strat needs. A setneck uses glue which can have a deadening effect on the sharpness (less "snap").

 

[MikeS]

Re: set neck strats? mahogany strats?

They exist, but more often you'll find the set-neck mahogany crowd looking for Gibsons or PRS. You can find mahogany set-neck strats made by custom builders and luthiers, but because of the nature in which these are produced, are not very common.

Besides, most people looking for a strat are interested in the strat tone, which you won't find in a mahogany strat or a set-neck strat. Neither neck joint is superior to the other in any objective way. The preference for bolt-on strats has a lot to do with the fact that this is how Fender has been making strats for decades. You know what they say, "if it ain't broke..."

 

[Gamera]

Re: set neck strats? mahogany strats?

I think even Fender offers a few like this in their ShowMaster lines. Some inexpensive Korean models and some super expensive American made models.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: set neck strats? mahogany strats?

I won't say they're better or worse, but know this before going in.....any deviation from the basic strat formula gives you a new guitar, not another strat.
In other words, if you want a real strat, you've got to have an alder or ash body, rosewood or maple fretboard on maple neck, plastic pickguard, Fender trem, and preferably Alnico 5 pickups around 6.3K.

Something else may give you what you want, but that's your call.