There are some things I just don't understand.

[youngthrasher9]

For example: It boggles my mind that anyone would spend about $2000 on a bolt-on guitar. If you are going to spend that much, why not go all out?
A neck-thru or set-neck guitar *can* grant more sustain right?
Not to mention the extra playability offered in most cases.
I have considered that lots of you guys buy vintage teles and strats for mojo and collectors value, and that scenario doesn't apply to my misunderstanding. I just think that if you are going to buy something that is going to be displaying your skill sonically, why not choose the one that will give you the most advantage in terms of playability and sustain? Discuss among yourselves, it would be cool to see what others think about the subject.

 

[trevorus]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

The bolt on design has inherent qualities that are signature to that style. It's not a question of "better" but of taste. To me, neck throughs don't spank like a strat or tele does.

 

[rumblebox]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

does the "spank" really come from the construction or the species of wood and the pickups??

i think a neck-thru, all maple guitar with texas specials would spank more than a traditional strat would.

 

[trevorus]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

does the "spank" really come from the construction or the species of wood and the pickups??

i think a neck-thru, all maple guitar with texas specials would spank more than a traditional strat would.

Neck thru seems to thrum, piano-like (with fresh strings, that is). Anyway, it's all subjective. A good bolt-on is a good bolt-on. If it sounds good, it is good.

 

[sosomething]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

i think a neck-thru, all maple guitar with texas specials would spank more than a traditional strat would.

But they don't

Which is evidence of the folly in pondering specs on the internet instead of just playing a ton of different guitars.

 

[rumblebox]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

i've owned 2 strats. i've built teles. my M100 is bolt on. my H-401FM is set neck. my MH-350NT is a neck thru. i've played a few.

my les paul with mini-humbuckers has more "pop" and "spank" than any strat/tele i've ever played.

 

[sosomething]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

For example: It boggles my mind that anyone would spend about $2000 on a bolt-on guitar. If you are going to spend that much, why not go all out?
A neck-thru or set-neck guitar *can* grant more sustain right?
Not to mention the extra playability offered in most cases.
I have considered that lots of you guys buy vintage teles and strats for mojo and collectors value, and that scenario doesn't apply to my misunderstanding. I just think that if you are going to buy something that is going to be displaying your skill sonically, why not choose the one that will give you the most advantage in terms of playability and sustain? Discuss among yourselves, it would be cool to see what others think about the subject.

This deserves a little deeper explanation.

The method of securing a neck doesn't really impart a ton of difference to the overall tone of a guitar, all things considered. If you have a good, tight neck joint, it doesn't really matter if it's held on with bolts or with glue. The individual pieces of wood, hardware, electronics, and overall design (shape, scale, angles, etc.) have a much, much larger impact.

The truth is that it takes just as much work to make a great neck joint regardless of how you're attaching the final product. In one case you use screws to bolt it down, in the other you glue it and clamp it for a day or two.

For a very brief time, guys used to glue in the necks of their Fenders, but that practice died out quickly when they realized it didn't really improve anything and just netted them a neck they could no longer replace on a guitar they could no longer resell.

Neck-throughs are a somewhat different matter, but as you'll notice most people using them tend to be the super-high-gain active pickup crowd, that design doesn't usually translate into the huge-sounding sustain monsters people who haven't spent much time with them would expect it to.

tl;dr - no reason a bolt-on should cost less than any other guitar based on neck-attachment alone.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

I agree with Adam. That said, I don't really think there's any guitar I'd pay 2 g's for, I say this having owned a $3000 neckthru CS ESP once.

 

[rumblebox]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

yea i see no reason to pay more than a grand for a guitar when i have the less expensive options and all the tools and skill to improve them.... or build them.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

As the owner of two different stratocasters (one custom made neck thru, one MIJ 62 Reissue) I feel like I should chime in on this one.

Bolt on does NOT in any way mean that said guitar is of inferior build quality when compared to an identical set neck guitar. It's just different. As some fans of Chihoe Hahn may have heard before, a properly constructed bolt on guitar should be able to be picked up by the neck WITH NO BOLTS IN and hold the body up with it.

Just because one method of construction is cheaper doesn't mean that when it's done right, it's inferior.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

I would absolutely, without question, pay $2k and up for a finely crafted guitar with a bolt on neck.

In fact, in a few months I am going to do exactly that.

When you buy a guitar, you pay for overall quality. The neck joint is only one part of that.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

I would absolutely, without question, pay $2k and up for a finely crafted guitar with a bolt on neck.

In fact, in a few months I am going to do exactly that.

When you buy a guitar, you pay for overall quality. The neck joint is only one part of that.

Pics or it didn't (hasn't? won't?) happened/happen.

 

[orpheo]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

Pics or it didn't (hasn't? won't?) happened/happen.

just take a look at my thread about my guitars, and revise that conclusion

 

[Kam]

I don't mean to soumd patronising, but this is an opinion that always seems to be particularly prevalent amongst younger guys. I remember thinking the same thing when I was 17-18. I wonder why that is.

 

[jcthejester13]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

I don't mean to soumd patronising, but this is an opinion that always seems to be particularly prevalent amongst younger guys. I remember thinking the same thing when I was 17-18. I wonder why that is.

 

[crguti]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

as yourself this question... why there are some guys who has more than 10 guitars and several 100 watts head with 4x12" cabs and they barely play, much less playing live?

the answer... because they have the cash.

 

[Mincer]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

I did play a CS Fender Strat yesterday..price was $6k. That is 6 THOUSAND. Was it worth it? Well, it didn't play or sound any better than a Highway One.
But if I ever was going to spend that kind of money (I am a musician, so no way that would happen), I'd rather give it to a private luthier who can build me exactly what I want, not Fender Custom's idea of 'custom' which means you choose from very few options, and don't talk to the builders directly.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

Bolt ons and set necks are like manual and automatic transmissions - neither's better, and they both do things the other can't.

 

[blueman335]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

I don't mean to soumd patronising, but this is an opinion that always seems to be particularly prevalent amongst younger guys. I remember thinking the same thing when I was 17-18. I wonder why that is.

Well, it's not just the kids. I'm in my 50's and agree with him. I could see spending a couple grand on an LP, but wouldn't even consider it for any bolt-on. Just my own personal bias.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: There are some things I just don't understand.

Well, it's not just the kids. I'm in my 50's and agree with him. I could see spending a couple grand on an LP, but wouldn't even consider it for any bolt-on. Just my own personal bias.