neck thru vs set neck vs bolt on guitars

[Black Mariah]

Re: neck thru vs set neck vs bolt on guitars

My Soloist spoiled me. I'll play anything with strings, but I prefer neckthrus. They feel a lot more solid to me than bolt-ons. I hear you on the percussive thing. I don't know why, but my bolt-ons seem to have a much harder attack to them than my neckthrus and set necks.

[hollow08]

Re: neck thru vs set neck vs bolt on guitars

Bolt-on for me.

I've noticed that during playing up high on the tiny strings, my thumb never really moves past the 15th fret, which is just before the heel.

And besides, I like pulling things apart.

[xenophobe]

Re: neck thru vs set neck vs bolt on guitars

Well, I own both. I happen to own the best playing bolt-on and the best playing neck-thru's I've ever played... and do I prefer one over the other?

Sure. Some days I feel like playing my dinky strat, and other days I feel like playing my KV or Warrior.

[img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Newc]

Re: neck thru vs set neck vs bolt on guitars

Forgot to add that picking on a setneck also seems to have the same feel as bolt-ons, though I haven't tried a setneck with 25 1/2" scale.
Newc

[rstites]

Re: neck thru vs set neck vs bolt on guitars

I'm with you, Pete. All of my guitars are bolt-ons and I see no reason to change. The always just feel and react better for me. The neck throughs are great, but usually feel stiff and unresponsive - more mechanical and less musical. I'm sure it's just me, but I'm too old to change my ways now...or at least not interested in the least in it.

I've never bought any of the arguements about bolt-ons having less sustain or inferior tone to set-necks or neck-throughs on any generalized basis. I can see how some people would have issues with upper fret access, but it's never been a problem for me.

Ross

[zeegler]

Re: neck thru vs set neck vs bolt on guitars

I've never owned a neck thru Jackson even though most of the guitars I've ever owned have been neck thru or set neck. All my Jacksons were bolt on. My Fusion is a bolt-on and it's the guitar I always go back to. It's beat all to hell with a large patch of finish worn off, quite a few dents and dings, and several modifications.

I like the feel of the bolt ons better, but you can't beat the sound of a set-neck/neck-thru.

[shreddermon]

Re: neck thru vs set neck vs bolt on guitars

"Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don't." [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

I actually wrestled with this topic in spec'ing out this custom shop order:

http://www.jcfonline.com/ubb/noncgi/...c;f=1;t=000769

I prefer variety in my smallish stable, so wanted another Charvel. But then I realized my last few acquisitions were all bolt-ons. Hmmm. So that led me to ordering a neck-through Charvel, and the whole idea of combining some of the best features of the San Dimas-era Charvels and modern Jacksons. Loving it!

Bottom line: it's all good. Go with what you prefer.

[kennslp]

Re: neck thru vs set neck vs bolt on guitars

Pete, I whole-heartedly agree with you! I just prefer the 'feel' of bolt-ons. Always have really. Of all my guitars, only 3 are neck through, and the Les Paul & Guild are set necks. All the rest are bolt-ons. I don't even know if I can explain why, it's just more comfortable to me. As far as tone goes, I can't say I've experienced much difference. I think things like wood type and pickups affect tone too much for me to tell if neck attachment method has a direct effect on tone.

-Kenn

[charvel750]

Re: neck thru vs set neck vs bolt on guitars

I like feeling things. [img]graemlins/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] And there is a certain luxorious feel about neck throughs (every set neck Jackson plays and feels like a neck through to me). But, look at all the stars who could own any guitar they want and still go with bolt on designs: J.E. Lee, EVH, George Lynch, Warren DiMartini, etc.

[Tekky]

Re: neck thru vs set neck vs bolt on guitars

I go for the bolt-ons as well. All of mine (with the exception of my acoustic) are bolt-ons.

I have tried a couple of soloists, but I just can't get into 'em.

Plus I'm a bit parnoid when it comes to guitars. If the headstock of a neck-thru ends up broken. That's gonna cost a lotta dough to correct. Two words.. interchangable parts... ;-)

[diablomozart]

Re: neck thru vs set neck vs bolt on guitars

hmmm...own both...but i'm kinda "old school"...jackson= neck-thru and charvel = bolt-on...that being said, my main studio guitar is a bolt-on, so i guess i prefer them...don't really know cos i like all of my guitars...lol...d.m.

[Steve]

Re: neck thru vs set neck vs bolt on guitars

.......yep bolt ons for me too and they end up costing you less cash as well , and the Jackson Charvel bolt on's are the best by far compared to any other brands bolt on's or neck thru's or set neck , for instannce a epiphone v compared to a kv3 ......... I'll take the kv3 any day to the epiphone as far as quaility play ability feel ........ and the Jackson hardware lasts a lot longer on the Jackson imports as well , compared to say .... BC Rich who on the import line the hardware totally sucks every thing from the cheap knobs to the cheap bridge !!! but the knobs the are putting on the newer Jackson imports suck and feel cheap , but the jt 580 lp trem still plays great , and to tell you the truth I don't mind the stock pu's either , but I think I am gonna replace mine with the real duncan stuff that the dd design is suppose to be modeled after [my warrior xt - invader - my Ke3r - duncan distorsion ... ect ect ect ]//Steve

[Steve]

Re: neck thru vs set neck vs bolt on guitars

...... and on trans colors with chrome hardware I allways put chrome mounting rings on her ! it's like getting your old lady a breast job ! just looks sweet ! [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] //Steve

[mulder1966]

Re: neck thru vs set neck vs bolt on guitars

I own several of both kinds, but play the bolt-ons 99% of the time. I think the feel is better on the bolt-ons, although I think the sustain might not be quite as good. Trade offs an individual must decide for himself.

[toejam]

Re: neck thru vs set neck vs bolt on guitars

My Jackson Dinkies are bolt-on, Fender bolt-on, Charvel and Carvins are neck-thru. The Hamer that I bought from you, Pete, of course, is set-neck. Lately I seem to favor the Hamer, but I've got no problem switching back and forth between any of them. The Hamer just seems to be the one I'm more drawn to lately, and I think it may get an EMG chrome 25th Anniversary 81 pup set soon! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]