Most electric guitar kit necks are available in either bolt in or set neck varieties, there are also neck-thru options but these are more rare. Bolt in necks are often utilised by Fender for the majority of their guitars while set necks are generally used by Gibson and there are plenty who credit Gibson guitars with far superior sustain and richness of tone. While others believe that Fender offer better clarity and a brighter tone.
To be honest there is evidence to support these claims but there are many examples where this is shown to be inaccurate Would any person truthfully contest the point that Gary Moore (who played a Gibson Les Paul in 'Still got the Blues') is playing a guitar lacking a little in note definition and lucidity? The idea is laughable.
Bolt In Necks
Bolt in necks are pretty straightforward and have the simple advantage of being replaceable should you damage the neck in any way. The debate against bolt in necks is that glue in neck offers better sustain. In my honest opinion this is an argument that isn't technically accurate. It'd be more honest to assert that a loosely fitted bolt in neck will have an impact on. The better quality of the join the less this is obvious. The common line trotted out again and again again is that a bolt in neck does not transfer vibration as fast from the body through to the neck therefore impacting sustain but as discussed above there is also the tightness of the neck join to take into consideration. In a set neck if the join is loose and there is too much glue used to fill the join sustain will also principally be impacted. Many also disagree that bolt in necks offer more lucidity and a brighter tone but as demonstrated in the Gary Moore example above this can also be a total foolishness.
Glue in Necks (Set Necks)
Set necks on the other hand are far more permanent but it must be said how frequently do you actually need to replace a guitar neck? It does occur occasionally sure, but should this truly be a major factor when deciding between a set neck or bolt in neck guitar? Ask how frequently you have really required to think about this up to this point. Set necks generally are mortise-and-tenon joins and many folks are surprised to learn that this sort of join can basically be stronger than a bolt in neck once finished.
What it comes down to
There's a lot of reason to accept that with some guitars there is a obvious difference in tone between set neck and bolt in but sometimes it is a mix of factors that actually decide the tonal quality of a guitar. No two guitars actually are made equal and the best guidance we can offer is to try the guitar out before you buy and ensure you are purchasing based mostly on the particular guitar in your hands and not the reputation or rumoured tonal quality of a particular make or model of electric guitar.
To be honest there is evidence to support these claims but there are many examples where this is shown to be inaccurate Would any person truthfully contest the point that Gary Moore (who played a Gibson Les Paul in 'Still got the Blues') is playing a guitar lacking a little in note definition and lucidity? The idea is laughable.
Bolt In Necks
Bolt in necks are pretty straightforward and have the simple advantage of being replaceable should you damage the neck in any way. The debate against bolt in necks is that glue in neck offers better sustain. In my honest opinion this is an argument that isn't technically accurate. It'd be more honest to assert that a loosely fitted bolt in neck will have an impact on. The better quality of the join the less this is obvious. The common line trotted out again and again again is that a bolt in neck does not transfer vibration as fast from the body through to the neck therefore impacting sustain but as discussed above there is also the tightness of the neck join to take into consideration. In a set neck if the join is loose and there is too much glue used to fill the join sustain will also principally be impacted. Many also disagree that bolt in necks offer more lucidity and a brighter tone but as demonstrated in the Gary Moore example above this can also be a total foolishness.
Glue in Necks (Set Necks)
Set necks on the other hand are far more permanent but it must be said how frequently do you actually need to replace a guitar neck? It does occur occasionally sure, but should this truly be a major factor when deciding between a set neck or bolt in neck guitar? Ask how frequently you have really required to think about this up to this point. Set necks generally are mortise-and-tenon joins and many folks are surprised to learn that this sort of join can basically be stronger than a bolt in neck once finished.
What it comes down to
There's a lot of reason to accept that with some guitars there is a obvious difference in tone between set neck and bolt in but sometimes it is a mix of factors that actually decide the tonal quality of a guitar. No two guitars actually are made equal and the best guidance we can offer is to try the guitar out before you buy and ensure you are purchasing based mostly on the particular guitar in your hands and not the reputation or rumoured tonal quality of a particular make or model of electric guitar.
About the Author:
If you have ever wished to build your very own electric guitar kit, be absolutely certain to visit us at eguitarkits.com for a tonne of info and resources on guitar kits.