Bolt-on VS neck-thru

[hollow125]

Hi, I got another guitar project that maybe I'll give to a luthier and I wanna choose if I make it Bolt-on or Neck-thru.

So I'll denote the differences I know, and correct me if I'm wrong ( always love to know more about guitar making )

- Differences in sound ? Neck-thrus have more sustain than Bolt ?

- Heel joint ( AANJ are cool but Neck-thru is the best for high register)

- Neck-thrus cost more to build than Bolt ?

- If a 3 or 5 pieces maple neck is used in neck-thru, u got maple in the body as well since it's the same piece of wood ? ( So if I want a plain basswood body, I can't with neck-thru

- Never tried, but I never saw a Wizard 1 neck and S body together neck-thru. Is it possible ?

Any other noticable differences ?

Sounds like the beginning of an all new crazy project ....

[waylay00]

You're guitar is pretty much done with if you mess up the neck, obviously. (in most cases)

[ohioplayer]

I had a Kramer Beretta that was neck thru. Played like a dream ... until my kids knocked it out of the stand. Needless to say it is sitting in my basement collecting dust as it is useless to me now. It was not worth me taking it to someone to fix since it was such a cheapo model (MusicYo!) but had it been bolt on, I'd still be playing it. I guess the moral is either be careful with your neck thru, or, not have three kids.

[Aris_T]

Originally Posted by hollow125

- Neck-thrus cost more to build than Bolt ?

- If a 3 or 5 pieces maple neck is used in neck-thru, u got maple in the body as well since it's the same piece of wood ? ( So if I want a plain basswood body, I can't with neck-thru

Sounds like the beginning of an all new crazy project ....

-Yes they cost more, but there are neck-though blanks from Carvin and All Parts

-The wings of the guitar can be any wood you prefer. They're glued on the neck.

Enjoy your project. It'll be cool to turn out as a neck-through Jem!

[rastachild]

the sustain a neck thru offers is not so much more than a bolt on if both are set up properly. and the access to the higher registers is negligible between the two imo (although the neck through will feel smoother, the ability to access the higher registers is about the same). the main consideration imo is the tonal differences. i prefer the sounds of a bolt on, it seems a bit 'snappier', for lack of a better term.

[Vinco]

Bolt-on necks alsa allow to perform neck angle adjustment.

Impossible with a neck-thru.

[neptoess]

neckthru, if done right, is much better than bolton, you just need to make perfectly sure you get your angle right

[WMerkert]

I think its more a philosophical thing.

[spacestation]

I have a RGT42FM that is one of my fave guitars. It is built like a tank. I for the life of me cant understand why they are so cheap??? It is a blast to play and feels very solid. Although I still prefer the sound of a bolt on, as stated above, sounds more snappy or brighter. Neck thru's sound mellow, to me anyway.

[rickcard71]

I, for some reason always think that a neck thru is better. But, I know it can't be true. The sustain may be a little better, probably not enough to make a big diff. Look at Vai, Beck, Clapton, Gilmore, and many others. You do make a good point however, if it gets smashed\broken, you're screwed. So I guess when I get the 2 PRSs I want, I have to baby them?

However, a friend of mine witnessed a band in Philly, on stage, throw his white Les Paul to the roadie during a song-mid song, and the roadie wasn't ready, it hit the ground hard and the neck broke in 2 pieces. A few weeks (months, I don't know) later, he was playing the same guitar on stage and the guitar had all the white paint taken off the back of the neck for the repair. Rich, you may know of him, Mike Lecompt.!?

[supermau]

I like bolts.

[rastachild]

Originally Posted by rickcard71

However, a friend of mine witnessed a band in Philly, on stage, throw his white Les Paul to the roadie during a song-mid song, and the roadie wasn't ready, it hit the ground hard and the neck broke in 2 pieces. A few weeks (months, I don't know) later, he was playing the same guitar on stage and the guitar had all the white paint taken off the back of the neck for the repair. Rich, you may know of him, Mike Lecompt.!?

les pauls are set necks, which are still much more difficult to replace/repair than bolts, but can be done if the luthier is very good. actually, depending on the type of break, i would imagine even a neck through could be repaired. i'd be afraid it wouldn't sound the same, but i wouldn't know since i've never had that experience.

[neptoess]

AANJ is prolly the best for convienience and tone, if it breaks just buy another neck lol

[supermau]

Most of us don't go 'round breaking our set-necks but it does happen. My old band flew accross country a few years ago. My guitar player opened the case to his Les Paul the next day and to his (and our) horror the neck had snapped near the headstock. It was ugly. He did have it repaired but that poor guitar has never been the same since. Lost it's tuning stability.

Not that I wouldn't own a set, or thru-neck, but when something breaks it's a crying shame.

Bolts are like the guns that won the west - interchangeable parts.

[jim777]

Saying one is "better" than the other is just silly. they are different, and not everything fits every need. Simple as that. I have and play bots, sets, and NTs, and they all own in their way.