So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

[mudwhistle]

Most guitar players i know, beginner and expert, say to always get a set neck rather than bolt on. What are the negatives about a bolt on? Fender Strats are bolt-ons, right?

I'm asking b/c I tried out a Schecter Omen 6 and its a bolt on, and its only $300! It's a badass guitar for the price and i may get it.

Thanks for any info.

 

[Fiber-Optics]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

I think they have less sustain but not much less then set necks.

 

[StratTom]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

I think they have less sustain but not much less then set necks.

What he said, and with set necks you can access the higher frets alittle easier than with a bolt-on. Basically its all about preference.

 

[aleclee]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

Two words: neck joint

Typically, bolt-neck guitars have very bulky/unwieldy joints that are bad for access to the upper registers. Also, sloppiness in the neck joint can cost you tone and possibly tuning stability.

Set neck guitars typically have tighter neck joints though some (e.g., LPs) still have awkward neck joints.

I had a huge bias against bolt-neck guitars 'til I discovered the PRS CE. With the long neck tenon, upper-fret access is just as good as their set neck guitars.

 

[Quencho092]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

it depends on what you mean by sustain. Neck throughs are said to have the best sustain because the piece of wood goes all the way to the back of the guitar, but you really cannot tell the difference if you play high gain.

Fenders get awesome tone, don't just presume they suck because they're not set necks or neck through. They've been the most played guitars for the past 50 years, and the strat is one of the most versatile axes out there.

If 300-400 is your range, try out a bunch of mexican strats and teles and see what you like. They are now made of alder instead of poplar so the only real difference is the craftsmanship. For under 500 bucks you can grab a standard strat and load it with SS-1's.

 

[Blueline]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

As above - its all about the neck joint
given a good neck joint - long, wide, and with good gluing/contact surfaces, a bolt-on is no wrose or better than a set neck
on my guitars - where the bolt-IN and set necks have the same joint, the bolt-ins are a little brighter and snappier

 

[Kac]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

What everyone has said is true, but if you're like me and the very highest frets aren't that big of a deal, and you can find a bolt on with a good neck joint, then go for it.
Some people prefer bolt-on necks to anything... Look at all the people who's signature guitar is a strat.
Rock On :smoker:

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

Plus I know that even if I throw my Strats way up in the air and they land on their headstocks and the neck snaps, I can just get a new neck instead of a whole new frickin guitar.

 

[rspst14]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

I think they have less sustain but not much less then set necks.

I'd have to disagree...a properly constructed bolt-on neck guitar will sustain every bit as well as a set neck. By properly constructed, I mean that the neck needs to be snug in the neck pocket, but not so tight that it puts excessive pressure on the surrounding wood. My Wolfgang is a bolt-on, and it sustains as well as or better than every set neck guitar I've ever tried.

The reason some people don't like them has to do with bolt-on construction being used on most cheap guitars. As a result, people tend to blame bolt-on construction, when in reality, there are other problems with the guitar. One fair complaint is that bolt-ons sometimes have larger heels, which make it more difficult to play high up on the neck compared to other designs.

There are certain types of specialty neck construction, such as deep set neck tenons or neck-through design, which may offer a small amount of extra sustain if they are constructed properly. Hamer has a really good set neck design, so does PRS (despite the large heel.) Gibson does not have a good neck design, I feel that their set neck is optimized for quick assembly, rather than optimum performance. Their long tenon used on SG's and Historic Les Paul models is better, but still not great. Hamer takes the time to hand fit each and every neck joint until it's perfect, and the Hamer joint is 40% bigger than the standard Gibson joint. Gibson used to have a picture on their custom shop page comparing a standard and long neck tenon joint. The fit was very rough, and it caused such a stir among the Gibson faithful that it was removed from the web site.

Assuming the bolt-on design is well-made, sustain is purely dependent on a proper setup. While I don't think there is a difference in sustain (with the exceptions mentioned above,) I do think that there is a difference in tone. Bolt-on's sound a bit brighter and "snappier," for lack of a better term, whereas set necks sound looser and warmer to my ears.

Ryan

 

[aleclee]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

Plus I know that even if I throw my Strats way up in the air and they land on their headstocks and the neck snaps, I can just get a new neck instead of a whole new frickin guitar.

Perhaps you don't know about the literally thousands of LPs out there with reattached headstocks.

 

[big_black]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

I had a huge bias against bolt-neck guitars 'til I discovered the PRS CE. With the long neck tenon, upper-fret access is just as good as their set neck guitars.

Musicman too! their neck joints feel like set necks. Great upper access.

 

[Jfar]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

I agree with the guy stating there isn't much difference in sustain
between set necks & bolt on necks if their built very well with
high qaulity craftman ship. I do think you can do a hell of alot
more with a strat than you can with a les paul. But as with each
there are pro's & con's.

I like em' both. But favor the bolt on , Maple verses Mahogany durability.
( I seen too many snap head stocks on Les paul. ) Great work horses.
and you don't have to baby em' like les paul, Paul reeds etc.

Again it's all in the preference of the player.

 

[aleclee]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

Musicman too! their neck joints feel like set necks. Great upper access.

True. I've had some niggling GAS for an Axis Super Sport for a while now...

 

[doctadre]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

It is all about how the guitar feels and how easily it plays. bolt on necks like fenders, ibanez, they are a bit bulky, but have more tone than a setneck because it is more of a wood to wood connection. A les paul will sound warmer, muddier and not as bright because there is a layer of glue between the neck and body, and glue doesnt transmit tone well at all. A PRS ce which is a bolt IN guitar surrounds the neck with a snug pocket, and is wood to wood. It has more tone, and the upper frets easily. The only reason ppl think that set necks are superior to bolt on/in is because companies like PRS put all the cooler cosmetic options on the set necks. They make us think that set necks are better because they are more expensive. Not always the case. Always see how the guitar feels to you, and listen to how it resonates acoustically.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

I'm a strat player first and foremost,but I also play Les Pauls and SGs...Doesn't matter either way to me whether the neck is bolted on or neck through...If the guitars are setup right and the necks and upper register frets are accessible,I'm happy...There has been loads of debate that I've read about the bolt on vs neck through topic...I still see the Fender Strat as the most widely used guitar out there currently,so I guess bolt on his fine.

John

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

It is all about how the guitar feels and how easily it plays. bolt on necks like fenders, ibanez, they are a bit bulky, but have more tone than a setneck because it is more of a wood to wood connection. A les paul will sound warmer, muddier and not as bright because there is a layer of glue between the neck and body, and glue doesnt transmit tone well at all. A PRS ce which is a bolt IN guitar surrounds the neck with a snug pocket, and is wood to wood. It has more tone, and the upper frets easily. The only reason ppl think that set necks are superior to bolt on/in is because companies like PRS put all the cooler cosmetic options on the set necks. They make us think that set necks are better because they are more expensive. Not always the case. Always see how the guitar feels to you, and listen to how it resonates acoustically.

The Les Paul is a totally different design than a bolt on neck fender guitar...The Les Paul is all about it's mahogany neck and body,it's deeper overall body structure and weight and humbucking pickups..This is what gives the LP it's warmer and darker tone,though I wouldn't call it muddy? Even the maple cap on most les pauls,still makes a LP warmer and throatier sounding....I'm only comparing the LP to a single coil Tele or strat though..

John

 

[stratobastard]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

set neck is actually cheaper to make than a bolt on

 

[diggamark]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

nice thread...

 

[seafoamer]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

I play mostly bolt-on neck gtrs, & I <3 them.
I have a lesbian friend who plays a lot with strap-ons, & she <3's them.

 

[big_black]

Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

I have a lesbian friend who plays a lot with strap-ons, & she <3's them.

I'm not even gonna touch that one.