What is it about bolt-ons?

[UCSDBoy]

I remember looking at the favorite guitar poll the other day and the strat was out pretty far ahead. Then I peeked at the Carvin board and some people were discussing how in their mind the best sounding guitar was Carvin's simple bolt-on (also the cheapest, I might add).

I often hear about the disadvantages of the bolt-on - namely the clumsy neck joint and usually less sustain, but what is it about the bolt on besides the obvious use of two woods that gives bolt-ons their particular style?

 

[59paul]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

For starters, if ya break a neck, or have a neck go bad, it's easily replaced. ( unlike a set neck, which is a WHOLE DIFFERENT story )

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

If you buy a quality guitar, even though it's "bolt on" the sustain will still be there because it will be matched flawlessly. Set neck just seems foolish now. It sucks that if I get a dent somehow that I can't do anything about it, I am forced to just play on with it. Bolt on, this wouldn't be a problem. Get the right neck pocket size and I'd be golden.

 

[some_dude]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

I remember looking at the favorite guitar poll the other day and the strat was out pretty far ahead. Then I peeked at the Carvin board and some people were discussing how in their mind the best sounding guitar was Carvin's simple bolt-on (also the cheapest, I might add).

I often hear about the disadvantages of the bolt-on - namely the clumsy neck joint and usually less sustain, but what is it about the bolt on besides the obvious use of two woods that gives bolt-ons their particular style?

Clumsy neck joint?

Have you ever tried smashing a Strat before? You don't know what's going to break first, you or the neck. Besides, look at pictures of smashed bolt-ons, it's usually the middle of the neck that breaks, the neck pocket generally stays intact.

As for sustain, I think things like the nut and bridge have more to do with sustain than the neck joint. I feel that a good quality bolt has just as much sustain as a good quality glue in. Neck-thru's on the other hand are obviously superior when it comes to sustain, but you can't adjust the angle and they arn't much good if you ever badly damage the neck.

 

[UCSDBoy]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

Clumsy neck joint?

Have you ever tried smashing a Strat before? You don't know what's going to break first, you or the neck. Besides, look at pictures of smashed bolt-ons, it's usually the middle of the neck that breaks, the neck pocket generally stays intact.

As for sustain, I think things like the nut and bridge have more to do with sustain than the neck joint. I feel that a good quality bolt has just as much sustain as a good quality glue in. Neck-thru's on the other hand are obviously superior when it comes to sustain, but you can't adjust the angle and they arn't much good if you ever badly damage the neck.

By clumsy I meant some people don't like the big bulky neck joint there when playing the higher frets. I never thought this was a big issue since you can get bolt-ons where the neck joint has been contoured...

 

[some_dude]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

By clumsy I meant some people don't like the big bulky neck joint there when playing the higher frets. I never thought this was a big issue since you can get bolt-ons where the neck joint has been contoured...

Ahh, ok. One of my Strats has a contoured heel and neck pocket for better upper fret access, the other is just squared off. I really don't find there's a difference in feel. I suppose there might be if you play sitting down, but when standing, it doesn't make a difference (to me anyway).

 

[Mac-P]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

Bolt on necks have always gotten in my way when I play on the upper frets, which I do a lot.

Then again, I find the set neck on a Les Paul to be just as difficult.

I much prefer a set neck or neck through that has access to all the frets.

 

[Humphrey Bear]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

ESP is now offering something on their custom order form called "Set Through".
Anybody know what it is?
A combination of a Set-neck construction and Neck Through?

 

[chcjunior]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

By clumsy I meant some people don't like the big bulky neck joint there when playing the higher frets. I never thought this was a big issue since you can get bolt-ons where the neck joint has been contoured...

I always found the Strat guitar a paradox....for me it's got an extremely playable neck....however, it has a heel that appears to have been modeled on a lego block.

If anyone has a chance, play one of the Peavey Wolfgangs. I was blown away by the access to the upper frets with that bolt-on neck. They did a great job on the design with regard to contour.

 

[kill your scene]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

Playing high up on the neck can be a bit harder with a bolt-on, but then again that depends entirely on who made the guitar. Some companies have very ergonomical bolt-on designs that have impressed me.

I've never enjoyed playing high up on a Les Paul neck because I have a tendancy to hook my thumb over the neck (Jimmy Page style) and let my four fingers start walking. The Les Paul doesn't really work in this scenario because it's only a single cutaway... the upper bout is shaped too differently than the lower bout. I wind up over-stretching and it's just awkward.

The deal breaker for me as far as comfort in the high register goes is double cutaways. If it's a double cutaway, I don't care about the joint.

When you're discussing strength, the bolt-on has more than enough strength if you're buying a quality guitar from a good company. Plus, it's more practical, as you can replace the neck with relative ease.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

We guitar players are spoiled and want everything to easy. You want to talk about a clumsy neck joint? Try playing a violin with NO cutaway! Doesn't stop the vilion virtuosos from wailing away way up there in the stratosphere...

I think if it's to easy, it SOUNDS to easy...that's why I love the sound I get from my Fenders.

Lew

 

[UCSDBoy]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

But what do you guys think about the sound from a bolt-on? I think the maple neck and the bolt-on joint really contribute to the sound - although I'm not sure how I would qualify it... Any takers?

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

I took the good fit of the carvin neck to another level by making mine even tighter. It's a real beast to get apart because you have to work the neck back and forth and kind of walk it out. That tight fit along with the locking tuners and heavy body help give my bolt kit a ton of sustain. It's almost up there with a les paul and easily on par with most non-trem equipped guitars. The only difference you can really tell in terms of sustain is higher up on the neck where the string vibrations are more dampened by the trem springs. It's still better than 99% of trem equipped guitars, but it can't compare to the les paul farther up the neck.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

Sound wise I think a glued in neck tends to give guitar a little woodier tone...maybe a little fuller, thicker tone. I like both...I like the openness and uncluttered mids of the bolt on design too. As far as sustain goes, I think the string angle behind the bridge saddles and fingerboard nut is more important to sustain than the neck joint...as long as it's not a sloppy or defective neck joint. Lew

 

[DBentley]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

I like the snap of a bolt-on. Sustain isn't a priority for me.

I can't see how a bolt-on joint is clumsy either compared to a PRS neck joint.

 

[Fatty]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

Honestly, I can't even say what it is.. I just tend to gravitate towards the sound of bolt-ons more. It's just SOMETHING that appeals to my ear. I don't mind the bulky heel at all.

 

[brisk]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

Sustain is not music.

Construction is not music.

Guitar is not music.

Music is what you play through an instrument.

I don't care too much about construction. Why would I?

As long as I can play music and it sounds good, I am good.

 

[rspst14]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

It's been my experience that bolt-ons have a tighter, more focused sound, with a little more brightness. A well-constructed bolt-on can sustain as long as any player needs it to. Set necks seem to have a warmer tone, with less "snap," for lack of a better word. I really like the Hamer set necks, they use a dovetail joint that is 40% bigger than the tenon style joint Gibson uses. The added contact area between the neck and body really contributes to the acoustic sound and sustain. Because they do everything by hand, they make the joint slightly bigger than the neck pocket, and then shape the neck joint by hand to get the tightest fit possible. I think the whole ease of neck replacement argument is overblown though, a quality bolt-on that is properly cared for by the owner should never need to be replaced.

Ryan

 

[UCSDBoy]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

I think you guys are totally right. I guess the only thing I might add is since Joe Satriani and Steve Vai both use bolt-ons, there's got to be something to them...

 

[Mac-P]

Re: What is it about bolt-ons?

think the whole ease of neck replacement argument is overblown though, a quality bolt-on that is properly cared for by the owner should never need to be replaced.

Agreed. I have never needed to replace a neck. I don't even personally KNOW anyone who has......