Why bolt on signature guitars?

[lynchfan6]

Any thoughts on why most rock artists use bolt on neck guitars if they are
not a Les Paul junkie? Steve Vai, Satriani, Nuno, Reb Beach, Eddie, Yngwie, Lynch, DeMartini, Phil Collen, Jake E Lee ..........the list goes on. Come to think of it,,,my guitar collection (many of them signature models)is all bolt on necks too, except for my Les Paul. Even my Jackson is a DK-1. Is it because of the "super strat" concept? Is there really an "airy" feel to a bolt on compared to a neck through? My only neck through is an old sentimental JB Player I got in junior high that taught me how to play,,,and it needs major work, and is no fair comparison to my high end guitars.

[markD]

beats me. i know i prefer bolt ons....

[quiksilver]

I've wondered that myself. I'm guessing that, since bolt-ons have traditionally been cheaper than neck-throughs, they were easier to get when these guys were starting out, so that is what they grew up with/grew comfortable with. But that's just my speculation.

[Bengal65]

I've wondered that myself. I'm guessing that, since bolt-ons have traditionally been cheaper than neck-throughs, they were easier to get when these guys were starting out, so that is what they grew up with/grew comfortable with. But that's just my speculation.

+1 They also were easier to modify or "Hot Rod".

[Bengal]

Nothing beats a bolt-on for pure aggressive tone. IMHO. They "bite" like none other. So I think that's why rock and metal guys love them...

Show me a jazz player with a signature bolt-on? I think it's the music they play more than anything...

[Axewielder]

Isn't availability a factor here? I mean, how many neck-thru metal guitars did you have to choose from in the early 80's?

[Shwayman11]

i think its just prefferance. I know that I prefer a bolt on over a neck through or set neck any day of the week

[Shibs]

Bolt ons are so easy to modify if needed, you can shim the neck if you want you the Floyd set higher etc..... If you are needing to replace a neck for any reason is easy etc... Bolt Ons Rule!

[thetroy]

Nothing beats a bolt-on for pure aggressive tone. IMHO. They "bite" like none other. So I think that's why rock and metal guys love them...

Show me a jazz player with a signature bolt-on? I think it's the music they play more than anything...

I'd agree with that.

Allan Holdsworth played bolt-ons back in the day. None of the traditional jazz players come to mind though.

[straycat]

Bolt ons for me too I love em'.They have the snap not found in a neck thru.

[VitaminG]

Nothing beats a bolt-on for pure aggressive tone. IMHO. They "bite" like none other. So I think that's why rock and metal guys love them...

Show me a jazz player with a signature bolt-on? I think it's the music they play more than anything...

Mike Stern?
Michael Lee Firkins?

[JerEvil]

Any thoughts on why most rock artists use bolt on neck guitars if they are
not a Les Paul junkie? Steve Vai, Satriani, Nuno, Reb Beach, Eddie, Yngwie, Lynch, DeMartini, Phil Collen, Jake E Lee ..........the list goes on. Come to think of it,,,my guitar collection (many of them signature models)is all bolt on necks too, except for my Les Paul. Even my Jackson is a DK-1. Is it because of the "super strat" concept? Is there really an "airy" feel to a bolt on compared to a neck through? My only neck through is an old sentimental JB Player I got in junior high that taught me how to play,,,and it needs major work, and is no fair comparison to my high end guitars.

A lot of those guys were playing modified versions of existing guitars - easy to make an Yngwie model, take the worlds most famous guitar, scallop the fretboard and change pick ups - viola! Vai's guitars are just a MUCH better built RG, Ibanez had the 540 radius before it became the Joe Satriani, Jake E. Lee played bolt on charvels, then copies by ESP. It seems extremely rare that a company develops a new guitar just for an artist, just variations of something already in production that they can sell for an assload more.

At least the archtop neck through Phil Collen, the Phil Demmel, the Mark Morton are all unique to the the Jackson family, but still fit well with the standard production line of guitars too.

[iced_earth]

Isn't availability a factor here? I mean, how many neck-thru metal guitars did you have to choose from in the early 80's?

I think that is certainly part of it. A lot of the "newer" players on the ESP roster have neck-thru or set-neck sig guitars.

[Rich#6]

Not a lot of neck thrus when these guys started out so they were used to playing bolt-ons.

[shredmonster]

Nothing beats a bolt-on for pure aggressive tone. IMHO. They "bite" like none other. So I think that's why rock and metal guys love them...

Show me a jazz player with a signature bolt-on? I think it's the music they play more than anything...

Yep I agree with this also and the comment on "snap" compared to a neck through.

I buy bolt ons period. They growl more. I also prefer the feel of the neck over a neck through.


The big names in rock have enough dough to buy any guitar they want. I don't think it has anything to do with neck replacement or development from other guitars. These guys prefer bolt ons for a reason.