Moderato FM

Electric Guitar Necks

// November 23rd, 2011 // music

Most electric guitar kit necks will come in either bolt in or set neck options, there are neck-thru options but these are less typical. Bolt in necks are typically utilised by Fender for the majority of their guitars while set necks are usually 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 also are many examples where this is proven to be wrong Would anyone honestly 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 clearness? The idea is ridiculous.

Bolt In Necks

Bolt in necks are pretty easy 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 a debate that isn’t technically correct. It would be more accurate to say 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 over and over again is that a bolt in neck doesn’t 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 account. 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 argue that bolt in necks offer more clarity and a brighter tone but as demonstrated in the Gary Moore example above this can also be a complete nonsense.

Glue in Necks (Set Necks)

Set necks on the other hand are far more permanent but it has to be said how often do you really need to replace a guitar neck? It does happen now and then sure, but should this actually be an important factor when deciding between a set neck or bolt in neck guitar? Ask yourself how frequently you have actually required to consider this up to this point. Set necks generally are mortise-and-tenon joins and many people are stunned to find out that this type of join can actually be stronger than a bolt in neck once finished.

What it comes down to

There’s plenty of reason to believe that with some guitars there’s a noticeable difference in tone between set neck and bolt in but generally it is a mix of factors that actually decide the tonal quality of a guitar. No two guitars really are made equal and the best information we will be able to offer is to try the guitar out before purchasing and ensure you are buying based on the particular guitar in your hands and not the reputation or rumoured tonal quality of a particular make or model of electric guitar.

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