When it comes to the construction of a guitar, the neck joint is one of the most important components.
The way a neck is attached to the body of a guitar can greatly affect the instrument’s playability and tone.
There are three types of neck attachments: bolt-on, set neck, and set-thru. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.
What’s the difference between these neck types, and does it matter?
Bolt-on necks are attached to the guitar body with screws. Set necks are usually glued onto the body. Set-thru necks extend all the way into the guitar body. Each type affects how easy it is to play and how it sounds.
But there’s more to know because the neck joint system affects the sound, price, and replaceability.
In this post, we will discuss the three main types of guitar necks: bolt-on, set neck, and set-thru.
Overview
Here’s a brief overview of the 3 neck joint types and the features of each.
Bolt-on neck
- Construction: neck attached to body with bolts and screws
- Tone: twangy, snappy
Set neck
- Construction: neck glued to body
- Tone: warm, punchy
Set-thru neck
- Construction: neck extends into the body for better stability
- Tone: balanced, clear
What does the guitar neck joint mean?
The neck joint is the way the guitar neck is attached to the body of the guitar.
The type of attachment can greatly affect how easy it is to play, how it sounds, and its overall durability.
The three main types of neck joint systems are bolt-on, set neck, and set-thru.
Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to understand the differences between them.
How is the guitar neck attached to the body?
A bolt-on neck is the most common type of neck joint system and uses screws to attach the neck to the body.
This type of attachment is generally found on electric guitars.
A set neck is glued to the body of the guitar and provides a stronger connection than a bolt-on. This type of connection is typically found in acoustic guitars.
A set-thru neck is a combination of the two. The neck extends into the body of the guitar, creating a stronger connection between neck and body.
This type of attachment is typically found on expensive electric guitars.
What is a bolt-on guitar neck?
Bolt-on necks are the most common type of guitar neck, and they’re found on many types of electric guitars.
As the name suggests, the neck is attached to the body of the guitar using bolts or screws.
The bolt-on neck is typically found on lower-end instruments, although it’s not a fact because the famous Fender Stratocasters have bolt-on necks, and they sound great.
In this setup, the neck is attached to the body with screws and bolts. These bolts pass through the neck plate and into the body cavity, securing it in place.
This type of neck provides excellent stability and is relatively easy to replace if necessary.
It also allows for greater access to the truss rod, making it easy to adjust for action and intonation.
The advantage of a bolt-on neck is that it’s easy to replace or adjust if necessary.
However, because bolt-on necks are not as firmly attached to the body, they can often produce less sustain and resonance than other types of necks.
This type of neck is known for its ease of adjustment and repair, as it can be easily removed and replaced if necessary.
Additionally, the bolt-on design can provide a slightly brighter tone than other types of necks due to the lack of wood-to-wood contact between the neck and body.
This type of neck gives a guitar a snappy, twangy tone many players are after!
However, the bolt-on design can also result in less sustain and less resonance compared to other types of guitar necks.
I’ve listed the ultimate top 9 best Fender guitars here (+ a comprehensive buying guide)
What is a set neck?
A set neck is a type of guitar neck that is glued directly into the body of the guitar.
This type of neck is typically found on higher-end instruments and is known for its ability to provide a warm and resonant tone.
The set neck is made from one continuous piece of wood and is glued directly into the body cavity.
This type of neck offers excellent stability, improved sustain, and a warmer tone due to the lack of any hardware or screws.
The set neck does not require frequent adjustment and is usually less prone to warping than other types.
The wood-to-wood contact between the neck and body also results in increased sustain, which is why set neck guitars are often preferred by players who want a more natural and organic tone.
However, set neck guitars can be more difficult to adjust or repair if necessary, as the neck is permanently attached to the body.
What is set-thru neck?
Set-thru neck is a hybrid of bolt-on and set-neck construction.
The neck is inserted into the body and glued but not all the way through, leaving a small section of the neck visible at the back of the guitar.
The cool thing about the set-thru neck is that it allows for the best of both worlds.
You get many of the benefits of a set neck, such as increased sustain and tone, as well as the ease of adjustment that comes with a bolt-on neck.
The set-thru neck also offers more stability than a bolt-on neck while still allowing easy access to the truss rod and other components.
However, replacing or repairing a set-thru neck can be difficult because it requires the removal of the neck and body together.
Bolt-on vs set neck: which is better?
The choice between a bolt-on and set neck depends on the type of sound you want to achieve and how much adjustment or repair is necessary.
Bolt-on necks are the most common type of guitar neck and are typically found on lower-end instruments.
This type of neck is known for its ease of adjustment and repair, as it can be easily removed and replaced if necessary.
Additionally, the bolt-on design can provide a slightly brighter tone than other types of necks due to the lack of wood-to-wood contact between the neck and body.
If you want a bright tone, easy access to the truss rod, and the ability to easily replace or adjust the neck if needed, then a bolt-on neck is the best option.
However, the bolt-on design can also result in less sustain and less resonance compared to other types of guitar necks. These necks are also cheaper.
Set necks, on the other hand, are a type of guitar neck that is glued directly into the body of the guitar.
This type of neck is typically found on higher-end instruments and is known for its ability to provide a warm and resonant tone.
The wood-to-wood contact between the neck and body also results in increased sustain, which is why set neck guitars are often preferred by players who want a more natural and organic tone.
If you’re looking for increased sustain and warmth, then a set neck might be the better choice.
However, set neck guitars can be more difficult to adjust or repair if necessary, as the neck is permanently attached to the body.
If you prefer a brighter tone and the ease of adjustment and repair that a bolt-on neck provides, a bolt-on guitar may be the better choice for you.
However, if you value a warm and resonant tone with increased sustain, a set neck guitar may be the better option.
Bolt-on vs set-thru: which is better?
The choice between a bolt-on and set-thru neck depends on the type of sound you want to achieve as well as the level of adjustability and repair that is required.
The bolt-on neck is attached to the body of the guitar with bolts or screws, as the name implies.
This neck is well-known for its ease of adjustment and repair because it can be easily removed and replaced if necessary.
Additionally, the bolt-on design can provide a slightly brighter tone than other types of necks due to the lack of wood-to-wood contact between the neck and body.
If you want a bright tone and easy access to the truss rod, then a bolt-on neck is the best option.
However, the bolt-on design can also result in less sustain and less resonance compared to other types of guitar necks.
Set-thru necks, on the other hand, are a hybrid of bolt-on and set-neck construction.
The neck is inserted into the body and glued but not all the way through, leaving a small section of the neck visible at the back of the guitar.
This design allows for more sustain and resonance compared to bolt-on necks, while still providing the ease of adjustment and repair of a bolt-on design.
So, if you want increased sustain and warmth as well as slightly more stability, then a set-thru neck might be the better choice.
Set-thru necks offer a hybrid of both bolt-on and set neck designs, making them a great option for those looking for the benefits of both in one guitar.
Set neck vs set-thru: which is better?
The choice between a set neck and set-thru neck largely depends on your playing style, the type of sound you want to achieve, as well as the level of adjustability and repair that is required.
Set necks are known for their ability to provide a warm and resonant tone due to the wood-to-wood contact between the neck and body.
This design also results in increased sustain, which is why set neck guitars are often preferred by players who want a more natural and organic tone.
For players who want a warm, resonant tone and increased sustain, a set neck is usually the better choice.
However, set neck guitars can be more difficult to adjust or repair if necessary, as the neck is permanently attached to the body.
Set-thru necks, on the other hand, are a hybrid of bolt-on and set-neck construction.
The neck is inserted into the body and glued but not all the way through, leaving a small section of the neck visible at the back of the guitar.
This design allows for more sustain and resonance compared to bolt-on necks, while still providing the ease of adjustment and repair of a bolt-on design.
If you prefer a warm and resonant tone with increased sustain, a set neck guitar may be the better choice for you.
However, if you value the ease of adjustment and repair that a bolt-on neck provides, a set-thru neck may be the better option.
Ultimately, it’s best to play and compare different types of guitars to see which one feels and sounds the best to you.
Which is best: bolt-on, set neck or neck through (set-thru)?
It’s hard to say which is best since it depends on the individual’s playing style, sound preference, and level of adjustability and repair that is desired.
Bolt-on necks are well-known for their ease of adjustment and repair because they can be easily removed and replaced if necessary.
Some players also prefer the brighter tone these necks provide due to the lack of wood-to-wood contact between the neck and body.
Guitars like the Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster feature bolt-on necks, making them great for those who want the bright tone of a bolt-on neck combined with the classic sound of single-coil pickups.
Set necks are often preferred by players who want a more natural and organic tone due to the wood-to-wood contact between the neck and body, which provides a warmer tone and increased sustain.
Their warmth and resonance make them ideal for most genres of music, such as jazz, blues, and classic rock.
Finally, set-thru necks offer the best of both worlds—they provide the resonance and sustain of a set neck with the ease of adjustment and repair of a bolt-on design.
If you’re looking for increased sustain and warmth as well as slightly more stability, then a set-thru neck might be the better choice.
So actually, these are all good. However, the bolt-on neck is considered to be the cheapest and the most affordable.
Set neck guitars are considered to have better quality and longer lasting sound.
Neck through guitars offer something in between, with good sustain and warmth, as well as good adjustability.
So it really depends on what you are looking for and the kind of sound you want to achieve.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, the type of guitar neck you choose will greatly affect the instrument’s playability and tone.
Bolt-on necks are known for their ease of adjustment and repair, but can result in less sustain and resonance.
Set necks provide a warm and resonant tone, but can be more difficult to adjust or repair.
Set-thru necks are a hybrid of both design and it’s a balance between playability, tone and durability.
Ultimately, the choice of neck will depend on your personal preferences and the type of music you want to play.
Now, why are guitars actually shaped the way they are? Good question!
I'm Joost Nusselder, the founder of Neaera and a content marketer, dad, and love trying out new equipment with guitar at the heart of my passion, and together with my team, I've been creating in-depth blog articles since 2020 to help loyal readers with recording and guitar tips.
