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

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

i doubt that i would ever let the neck attachment method determine whether or not i bought a guitar .. i own both types and they're all fine .... if you think of the incredible music that has been made over the last 50+ years with guitars of both type, it becomes cleaer that this need not be a determinant ..

those schecters are incredible guitars .. well made, nice looking, and great tone - especially for the price point

cheers
t4d
 
Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

I agree that a well made bolt on neck is as good as a set neck. I mean correct me if im wrong in my opinion but really a set neck its just glue holding the neck to the body which is beveled to look on nice and neat i think that the idea of the neck being firmly held against the body if a guitar with 4 or sometimes 5 solid metal bolts is quite fine and i actually prefer a bolt on neck so its brighter and snappier tone though it is subtle and if you should manage to completely snap a neck in half and neck just and i dont mean just break off the head stock a replacement neck isnt to expensive.
 
Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

tone4days said:
.... if you think of the incredible music that has been made over the last 50+ years with guitars of both type, it becomes clear that this need not be a determinant ..
Click to expand...

+1 (I've always wanted to do that!) :laugh2:
 
Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

Strats and Teles have bolt-on necks, Les Pauls, SGs and 335s have set necks. This is the natural order of things. :22:
 
Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

There was a time when I absolutely preferred a set/glue in/through neck. Certainly it does make upper fret access easier in most cases, but some bolt ons with the big cut-outs (e.g. Jackson, Ibanez) on the back side negate that issue.

IME there is a slight increase in sustain with the set/glue/through necks. But comparing a les paul with tons more mass and different woods to a tele or strat is apples and oranges. Take two jackons, one through, the other bolt on..both similar woods, mass, etc..and there is not much difference.

But nowadays I prefer the unique sound and feel of a bolt on neck as much as others prefer the sound and feel of the glue/set through style. On a well constructed instrument, I don't feel there is much tangible difference other than personal preference of tone/feel.
 
Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

I can't really add anything to what has been said already. I own and have played my fair share of both without any noticeable differences in sustain. My strats sound amazing and they have tons of sustain, so that's all I care about.
 
Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

I own a Gibson Les Paul Standard (set neck)...and a Fernandes Strat (bolt-on). While I personally believe that gear discussions regarding infinitessimal gains or losses in sustain from set versus bolt-on necks...or which "tone" woods are used in the construction of the guitar...or which bridge (stop tailpiece or trem) offers the best sustain....or whether bone or brass nuts offer the best sustain...or which brand of string....or tuners....or :::gasp::: which pickups, etc....are all a basic waste of time when it comes to an electric guitar.

I don't want to offend anyone, but I have several friends who are really into the "acoustic resonance" of their electrics. Then, I just chuckle to myself as they plug into their racks, with delay, chorus, overdrive, compression and reverb...and suddenly it just seems like all that "gearhead acoustic resonance" stuff goes flying out the window.

I personally prefer playing my cheap little Fernandes Strat over ANY guitar. It's much lighter than my Les Paul, it has the contour on back which makes my ribs happier than when I play my Les Paul, it has a tremolo, which my Les Paul doesn't...and a maple fretboard which I now prefer over rosewood. Lastly, the back of the neck is unfinished, which I REALLY prefer. Virtually every set neck is 'finished', which feels "sticky" compared to an unfinished or satin type bolt-on.

After all is said and done, I recognize that it all boils down to personal preference. Hendrix, Beck, Clapton, Malmsteen, etc. all attest to the viability of a bolt-on, while Santana, Page, Montgomery, King, et al...preferred set necks.

In answer to the original question...there's nothing bad about a bolt-on. The Schecter you're looking at is an awesome guitar. Play a few different guitars. One of them is just going to "fit you like a glove". When that happens, don't get too caught up with whether it has a bolt-on or set neck...or jumbo frets, or acoustic resonance. Just play the hell out of it.

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

mudwhistle said:
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?.......
Click to expand...

Can't understand why anyone would recommend a set-neck over a bolt-on...?? Doesn't make sense to me.

One thing for certain, bolt-on guitars - Strat/Tele - have more 'spank' than the majority of the set-neck guitars I've owned or played. There is a percussive quality about a bolt-on that doesn't come through on a set-neck. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the neck and body are truly seperate, and are allowed to resonate differently?

I currently own 2 of each type, and they are truly different animals. While all 4 of my electrics have EXCELLENT sustain, the Fenders have more attack, and longer decay, while the PRS and Les Paul have a warmer attack, and a nice round swell to the notes and chords. I always gig with one of each. 'Soul Man', and 'Pride and Joy' just don't get it on a Les Paul.

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

doctadre said:
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.
Click to expand...

I'd have to disagree. Glue does change the tone over a bolt-on, but I think it's a myth that glue doesn't "transmit" sound very well. We're not talking about a two inch thick layer of glue, we're talking about a very thin layer of glue.

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

I was a firm advocate of set neck/neck thru guitars until about 1994, at which time I bought my first Strat. The neck joint required some getting used to, but aside from that, I now play guitars with both types of necks. It's all about what you're hearing and what you're comfortable playing.
 
Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

I've been slightly gassing for a Godin SP90 Goldtop. It's a bolt on, but the way they string through the body, I'm guessing the sustain is still there. I've never heard one person that didn't like a Godin they bought and owned for a while.
 
Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

My biggest gripe with bolt on fenders is that you never really know if you're getting an all-original if you buy used.
 
Re: So whats so bad about a bolt-on neck anyway?

There is not a thing in the world wrong with a bolt on neck IMO besides it is harder to access the frets at the bottom of the neck and I am never there anyway LOL. If you ever needed to replace a set neck, you are screwed!!

Tyler
 
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