The bearded one Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 I'm still mulling over a few things about my guitar. I originally liked the idea of a bolt on neck but now I've started to think about a set one instead. What are the advantages / disadvantages of each? Which do you all prefer? Beardy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Jabsco Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 I think bolt on is much better, Because if you make a mistake on the neck, or it breaks you can eaisly replace it. sustain wise, i dont think there is a difference.. or much of one anyways. I would go with bolt on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardtailed Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 At some point, everyone was saying that set-neck has more sustain because of the better energy transfer. However, if you think about it, the energy transfer should be better on a bolt-on since you have a direct wood to wood contact (assuming you don't have paint in the neck pocket) while the glue joint on a set neck could absorb or "rebound" vibrations from the string. What is true however is that both type of construction will usually have a slightly different kind of tone, the bolt-on being snappier with more attack. It's one of the many reasons a LP does not sound like a Strat (no, it's not just the pickups). Yes the LP has a very good sustain, but factor in the different woods, the angled peghead, the TOM bridge (vs tremolo), and you'll realize it's not just the neck joint. A set neck allows you some additionnal carving of the neck heel. As for "serviceability", I don't really care because if the tone your looking for calls for a glue-in neck, why bother about the additionnal hour of work that it will require IF you do need to remove the neck. I've owned 6-7 guitars over the past 10 years and I've had to remove one neck only and I could've repaired it while on the guitar (but since it was bolt-on, yes it only took 2 minutes to remove). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The bearded one Posted June 16, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 Cheers. I can see how the tone could be effected slightly by a glue joint but I can't see it making that much of a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardtailed Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 Cheers. I can see how the tone could be effected slightly by a glue joint but I can't see it making that much of a difference. To find out, one would have to build 2 identical guitars with a different neck joint I've always dreamed of building like 4-5 identical Strats with different body woods to decide which I prefer better. Ahhhh if I was rich and had tons of spare time... There's an interesting web page: http://www.musicplayer.com/lounge/guides/guitar3.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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