The eternal bolt-on vs set neck dilemma...

[zorrow]

My guitar fellow assembled a guitar with parts he bought here and there. In my opinion his guitar sounds KILLER. It's tone is absolutely perfect to my ears --and, as a matter of fact, to his too! However, he's not very happy with it because "it got a bolt-on neck". He's even considering paying for the job of getting the neck set/glued, as for him "guitars with set necks are better". Of course, we all know that's BS. Just ask Satch, Blackmore, Malmsteen, Van Halen, George Lynch and whoever else is getting a great tone on a bolt-on-necked guitar. To me, his guitar sounds great already and sending it to the guitar shop is taking a big risk. I told this to my friend, but he insists "set neck guitars are better". What would you tell him to convince him that "it depends"?

[moozak]

What would you tell him to convince him that "it depends"?

a "gazillion" strat/tele players can't be all that wrong?

[ArnieZ]

My guitar fellow assembled a guitar with parts he bought here and there. In my opinion his guitar sounds KILLER. It's tone is absolutely perfect to my ears --and, as a matter of fact, to his too! However, he's not very happy with it because "it got a bolt-on neck". He's even considering paying for the job of getting the neck set/glued, as for him "guitars with set necks are better". Of course, we all know that's BS. Just ask Satch, Blackmore, Malmsteen, Van Halen, George Lynch and whoever else is getting a great tone on a bolt-on-necked guitar. To me, his guitar sounds great already and sending it to the guitar shop is taking a big risk. I told this to my friend, but he insists "set neck guitars are better". What would you tell him to convince him that "it depends"?

Tone is in the ears of the beholder. There are lots of ways to "skin a cat". If he can choose blindfolded he wouldn't know what the guitar is or the amp for that matter. In any case the construction methods of a set neck vs bolt on are so different that glueing a bolt on neck does not = set neck guitar. There are some after market bolting systems that may couple the neck to the body better than it is currently.

ArnieZ

[cynic]

Just ask Satch, Blackmore, Malmsteen, Van Halen, George Lynch and whoever else is getting a great tone on a bolt-on-necked guitar.

If the above statement doesn't convince him, I might throw in Clapton or Knopfler. Unfortunately it sounds like he's already decided this is a lesson he needs to learn his self.

In the end it may or may not sound better (to him), but if he bones it you can always recommend he just start with a set-neck Hamer next time

[JohnnyB]

My guitar fellow assembled a guitar with parts he bought here and there. In my opinion his guitar sounds KILLER. It's tone is absolutely perfect to my ears --and, as a matter of fact, to his too! However, he's not very happy with it because "it got a bolt-on neck". He's even considering paying for the job of getting the neck set/glued, as for him "guitars with set necks are better". Of course, we all know that's BS. Just ask Satch, Blackmore, Malmsteen, Van Halen, George Lynch and whoever else is getting a great tone on a bolt-on-necked guitar. To me, his guitar sounds great already and sending it to the guitar shop is taking a big risk. I told this to my friend, but he insists "set neck guitars are better". What would you tell him to convince him that "it depends"?

If assembling his own boltneck guitar and achieving excellent results isn't enough to convince him, your words aren't going to either. If your friend goes through with it, it's not exactly a tragedy. Worst thing is that he'd pay a luthier about $60 to do it and he'd notice no difference. Even a neck-glueing is reversible, though more expensive. A few years ago (formerly very active HFC-er) Kull glued the neck into his Chapparal and was pleased with the results, claiming more sustain and a fuller tone.

Most setnecks in these discussions have a mahogany neck glued into a mahogany body on a 24-3/4" scale with tuna/stoptail bridge assembly. Most boltnecks under discussion have a maple neck bolted to an alder or ash body on a 25-1/2" scale with either a string-through or spring-mounted vibrato bridge. Any of those factors influence the tone more than the type of neck joint.

You have to be just as precise cutting the neck pocket and neck joint on a boltneck as on a set neck guitar. The cost difference is that boltneck bodies, necks, and often the electronics (think Strat pickguard assy) are mfd simultaneously right through the stain and lacquer processes. Set neck guitars have to be sprayed and finished as one piece, and getting the tight creases around the neck joint are labor-intensive. Also, set necks have to be glued, clamped and set aside until the glue dries before the guitar is completed and packed. That makes them more expensive, not better.

[shredmeister]

Can you say "IRRATIONAL" ?

[diablo175]

My guitar fellow assembled a guitar with parts he bought here and there. In my opinion his guitar sounds KILLER. It's tone is absolutely perfect to my ears --and, as a matter of fact, to his too! However, he's not very happy with it because "it got a bolt-on neck". He's even considering paying for the job of getting the neck set/glued, as for him "guitars with set necks are better". Of course, we all know that's BS. Just ask Satch, Blackmore, Malmsteen, Van Halen, George Lynch and whoever else is getting a great tone on a bolt-on-necked guitar. To me, his guitar sounds great already and sending it to the guitar shop is taking a big risk. I told this to my friend, but he insists "set neck guitars are better". What would you tell him to convince him that "it depends"?

Let us not forget Bettencourt, Vai, SRV, Hendrix, Trower, Gilmour, Steve Stevens (at one point, anyway) and the list goes on. Point is, it prolly doesn't matter. He's gonna do it regardless. Let him.

[SteveB]

if he thinks that his tone is killer but still wants to set neck it, then he's thinking with his head and not his ears.

[zorrow]

if he thinks that his tone is killer but still wants to set neck it, then he's thinking with his head and not his ears.

IMHO, he's just being snob, thinking his guitar will look more "classy" if set-necked.

As far as tone goes, I already said DON'T TOUCH THAT GUITAR.

But, as many of you are saying, I think he'll do it anyway.

--well, why do I care that much after all?

[burningyen]

If your friend agrees that guitar sounds perfect, then what possible reason could there be for experimenting on it?

[specialk]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[BTMN]

/\ +1

If his own fingers and ears dont convince him it's good then how is gluing it on gonna do it? It will still look like a bolt on wont it? Picture of this guitar would be cool to see.

[lonote049]

Don't confuse the issue with facts...his mind is made up.

[diablo175]

Don't confuse the issue with facts...his mind is made up.

Some folks just have to learn the hard way...or sometimes not at all.

[gorch]

...it doesn't depend!

[shredmeister]

I have an idea. Ask him if he wants to SELL IT !

[Caddie]

Wanna have some fun with him? Tell him that you did a little research and you found that one piece thru neck guitars are by far the most resonant. That single piece of wood from tuners to stop tail retains ALL the harmonic complexities as the wave travels down the neck. Both screwed joints and glued joints are like little drains that bleed off tonal coloring textures. Check it out, go open up your Physics 323 textbook. Its right there in Chapter 6.

Go single slab dude! You'll never go back.

caddie

[svl]

It's definitely silly to do, but it is his axe. To each his own.

If he's got money to throw away, so be it.

[JGale]

Wanna have some fun with him? Tell him that you did a little research and you found that one piece thru neck guitars are by far the most resonant. That single piece of wood from tuners to stop tail retains ALL the harmonic complexities as the wave travels down the neck. Both screwed joints and glued joints are like little drains that bleed off tonal coloring textures. Check it out, go open up your Physics 323 textbook. Its right there in Chapter 6.

Go single slab dude! You'll never go back.

caddie

Every generation, there emerges a prophet...

[tbonesullivan]

your friend should definitely have the neck extended 6 inches into the body, so they can have the vaunted and mysterious "set neck through" design.

In all honesty though, if your friend is set on set neck... well then he's gonna get it set in. We here all know that it's bunk, but sometimes people just need to learn.

Now I just need to learn to stop stalking used charvel's at dave's guitar.

[jginsj]

If it doesn't have a dovetail or some other type of undercut joint, how will the neck gluing be done? Do they just slather it up and bolt/clamp it back together or what?

I only ask because I have a Frankentele that I built years ago, but the neck heel wasn't made for a tele pocket, so it had to be shaped to fit, and it's not a perfect fit so if I get crazy with it physically, I think the neck can minutely shift and knock the tuning out just a bit. I love the guitar but I need to glue it. The combo that I made the guitar out of can't be easily replaced so I need to try to make this one perfect.

[ton13]

HI! .. I ask some question please let me use this topic to ask about question . (I dont want start topic with little question) . The day before my friends come to visit. He tried to play my Cali. He was extremely satisfied, especially fingerboard. He asked me fingerboard is made from what? I told him " rosewood " . What kind of this rosewood ? I cant answer him. WHAT KIND OF CALI'S ROSEWOOD ? (beauty & smooth feeling) . thanks...

[diablo175]

HI! .. I ask some question please let me use this topic to ask about question . (I dont want start topic with little question) . The day before my friends come to visit. He tried to play my Cali. He was extremely satisfied, especially fingerboard. He asked me fingerboard is made from what? I told him " rosewood " . What kind of this rosewood ? I cant answer him. WHAT KIND OF CALI'S ROSEWOOD ? (beauty & smooth feeling) . thanks...

Oooh. Big thread hijack!!

[BubbaVO]

I have an idea. Ask him if he wants to SELL IT !

[ton13]

HI! .. I ask some question please let me use this topic to ask about question . (I dont want start topic with little question) . The day before my friends come to visit. He tried to play my Cali. He was extremely satisfied, especially fingerboard. He asked me fingerboard is made from what? I told him " rosewood " . What kind of this rosewood ? I cant answer him. WHAT KIND OF CALI'S ROSEWOOD ? (beauty & smooth feeling) . thanks...

Oooh. Big thread hijack!!

Hi..diablo175 ha....ha.....ha ur answer! great . Save new space for Big , Interrest , Rapid ... I hope u r fine & have a nice day.......