Why bolt on?

Re: Why bolt on?

Screws use the substrate for fastening and bolts add a nut for fastening. The whole thing is colloquial terminology with a few reasonable reasons. Copywriting or just laziness, the point is that its now defined colloquially as essentially meaning the same thing and as such is interchangeable when used in context.

This is exactly the point I was trying to make. It has become what it has become. If someone thinks it looks dumb because it's incorrect, I find that kinda silly.

As kind of an example, take the term "Dual-Exhaust." That term gets thrown around anytime you have two mufflers, and occasionally when you have a a pipe coming out of each side of the car (think the Camarro "Y"-pipe from the 80's & 90's). As an example, I have a Honda Accord w/a V6 sporting "dual exhaust." The two exhaust manifolds (headers) run into the cat and become one pipe. Then after the cat, they split in a "Y" to go to two separate mufflers. But technically, to be dual exhaust the two exhausts should be entirely separate. But since we have colloquially accepted my Honda Accord to have "dual exhaust," we now refer to complete separation as "True Dual Exhaust." I don't think this makes automobile designers or engineers look stupid. It seems like insisting on using only the technically correct definition of dual exhaust and changing the other terms to something like "Dual Muffler" exhaust because that is the correct definition is standing on unnecessary principle for the sake of OCD. We all have accepted what Dual Exhaust means (notice that I dropped the quotations) and for those who wish to make the distinction we have the term True Dual Exhaust. If it ain't broke...
 
Re: Why bolt on?

I'm sure they tossed the wording around...screw on, bolt on...and realized that calling it a screw on neck made it sound more cheap and silly.
I hadn't thought of this, but it's an excellent point. Marketing is everything, and companies always want to make the product as appealing as possible. Bolt-on has a better ring then screw-on. It also sounds sturdier. I remember reading that when Fender got into trouble for using the name "Broadcaster," the name "Telecaster" was selected because of the technological advancements of the day that were big (namely the telephone and the television). When the name was being chosen for the Stratocaster, Don Randall wanted to hint at aircraft technology and modern design.
 
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Re: Why bolt on?

Of the other trades I'm familiar with that have some misnomer in their jargon, I can think of some that have historical roots, subtle and goofy things, like "Java" versus "Javascript" for example, but none that are as blatantly wrong as tremolo/vibrato, screw/bolt. That's just like getting an answer completely wrong on a test, no partial credit. You don't have to have a degree from Juilliard to know the difference between vibrato and tremolo.

If you called a whammy bar a "vibrato arm" and said "Strats have screwed on necks", nobody would be confused.

Java and Javascript is even more ****ed up than the tremolo/ vibrato. There is no Java programming whatsoever in Javascript. Java is for writing a program, while Javascript is strictly for web.
 
Re: Why bolt on?

screw around, Slang.
a.
to waste time in foolish or frivolous activity: If you'd stop screwing around we could get this job done.
b.
Vulgar. to engage in promiscuous sex.

verb (used without object)
24.
to turn as or like a screw.
25.
to be adapted for being connected, taken apart, opened, or closed by means of a screw or screws or parts with helical threads (usually followed by on, together, or off ): This top screws on easily.
26.
to turn or move with a twisting or rotating motion.
27.
to practice extortion.
28.
Slang: Vulgar. to have coitus.

31.
screw up, Slang.
a.
to ruin through bungling or stupidity: Somehow the engineers screwed up the entire construction project.
b.
to make a botch of something; blunder: Sorry, I guess I screwed up.
c.
to make confused, anxious, or neurotic: Losing your job can really screw you up.
 
Re: Why bolt on?

How close was Fender, I wonder, to calling their neck design The Patented Cyclone Neck?

Dunno but Apple gave the connector blocks on current generation MacBook Pros and iPads the monikers of, respectively, Thunderbolt and Lightning.

Very, very fright'ning.
 
Re: Why bolt on?

Java and Javascript is even more ****ed up than the tremolo/ vibrato. There is no Java programming whatsoever in Javascript. Java is for writing a program, while Javascript is strictly for web.

But at least we know for certain that was a conscious marketing decision, not a flub.

On top of that, you wouldn't know this was incorrect unless you were into computing and development. The guitar misnomers are identifiable by non-guitarists.
 
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Re: Why bolt on?

This is exactly the point I was trying to make. It has become what it has become. If someone thinks it looks dumb because it's incorrect, I find that kinda silly.

People who don't play guitar, but who do know what the difference is between vibrato / tremolo , bolt / screw, will not be aware of the colloquial usage, as was the case with the shop teacher.

You have to add this disclaimer "that's just what they call it in the guitar world for some reason.." to avoid looking like it's you who's mistaken about what the name of the thing actually is.
 
Re: Why bolt on?

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People who don't play guitar, but who do know what the difference is between vibrato / tremolo , bolt / screw, will not be aware of the colloquial usage, as was the case with the shop teacher.

You have to add this disclaimer "that's just what they call it in the guitar world for some reason.." to avoid looking like it's you who's mistaken about what the name of the thing actually is.

I don't mind adding that disclaimer if someone points out they are screws. If they think I look dumb or foolish because I got it wrong, I would consider that very short-sighted on judging my intelligence and /or understanding. And I wouldn't really be interested in the thoughts or opinions of someone who jumps to such conclusions so quickly.

I understand the point you're making, and you are not wrong. But this is just my perspective on the matter.
 
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Re: Why bolt on?

I tried to buy a guitar with a "tremolo" once. I could hear the salesmen still laughing when I got out to the parking lot, empty-handed.
 
Re: Why bolt on?

btw, true-dual exhaust sucks. the crossover allows the exhaust back pressure to self-regulate between the two cylinder banks, which regulates the pressure of block gasses better.

Or something. I never really cared, I just saw that it also helped in pressure scavenging so it helped raise fuel economy while maintaining horsepower.
 
Re: Why bolt on?

btw, true-dual exhaust sucks. the crossover allows the exhaust back pressure to self-regulate between the two cylinder banks, which regulates the pressure of block gasses better.

Or something. I never really cared, I just saw that it also helped in pressure scavenging so it helped raise fuel economy while maintaining horsepower.

Wow, I never knew. Makes sense then why they still use X-pipes so often. Appreciate the info, good sir! A tip of the gear-head's cap to you!
 
Re: Why bolt on?

Wow, I never knew. Makes sense then why they still use X-pipes so often. Appreciate the info, good sir! A tip of the gear-head's cap to you!

It was sort of that first "awesome vs better" things I had to wrestle with in my car loving days. True duals can sound pretty brutal and chunky but crossovers muffled the sound a bit for no instantly gratifying payoff. The dudes liked it loud, but that quiet car at the track ran super fast because its mufflers were actually turbos....but it wasnt loud....derp

off u see did MRSAge, I m on tapa talk and auto correct is hating on me
 
Re: Why bolt on?

You have to add this disclaimer "that's just what they call it in the guitar world for some reason.." to avoid looking like it's you who's mistaken about what the name of the thing actually is.

That's probably a good idea. In business circles, there's often a premium placed on the ability -- and the willingness -- to explain specialized content that one knows well, to more general audiences who don't.
 
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