Bolt-on neck facts for kids
A bolt-on neck is a type of guitar neck that connects to the main body of the instrument using screws or bolts. This is different from necks that are glued into place, which are called set-in necks.
Contents
How Bolt-On Necks Are Attached
Many electric guitars and some acoustic guitars use the bolt-on method. The neck fits into a special opening in the guitar's body, often called a "pocket." Then, screws hold the neck firmly in place. Most guitars use three or four screws, but some might use more.
To protect the wood and spread out the pressure from the screws, a metal plate is often used. This plate sits between the screw heads and the guitar body. Manufacturers sometimes put their logos, serial numbers, or cool designs on these plates.
Some guitar companies, like Fender, write the production date on the part of the neck that connects to the body. This date is hidden when the neck is attached. If you ever need to know when your guitar's neck was made, a guitar expert can carefully remove the neck to find this date.
Screws or Bolts?
Even though we call them "bolt-on" necks, most of these necks are actually held on with screws. This term became popular because of companies like Fender.
Real bolts, which use a nut to tighten, are less common on electric guitars. However, they are sometimes found on acoustic guitars. A famous example of a guitar using a real bolt is Brian May's unique Red Special guitar.
Taylor Guitars uses a special bolt-on system for their acoustic guitars. They use bolts that go through the guitar's body and screw into special parts inside the neck.
Why Choose a Bolt-On Neck?
Guitar makers and players often discuss the good and bad points of bolt-on necks. Many of these ideas are personal opinions, as every guitar is different.
Benefits of Bolt-On Necks
- Easier and cheaper to make. If a guitar with a bolt-on neck has a problem during building, it's easy to replace just the faulty part. This saves time and money for the company. For other types of guitars, a small mistake might mean the whole instrument has to be thrown away.
- Simple to fix or change. If a bolt-on neck gets damaged, it's usually easy to replace it. You can even swap it out for a different neck if you want a new feel or sound. This makes repairs quicker and often less expensive.
- Easy to adjust. Sometimes, the height of the strings above the guitar body isn't perfect. With a bolt-on neck, it's possible to make small adjustments to the neck's angle. This can be done by adding a thin piece of material, called a shim, or by using special adjustment screws, like the "Micro-Tilt" system on some Fender guitars.
- Unique sound qualities. Some players believe bolt-on necks give guitars a brighter sound with more "snap" and sustain. However, this is a topic that guitarists often debate!
Challenges of Bolt-On Necks
- Harder to reach high notes. The part where the neck joins the body can be thick. This can make it a bit harder for players to reach the very highest frets on the guitar. Guitar makers have tried different designs to make this area smoother, like special neck joints from Ibanez or Music Man.
- Quality depends on good building. If a bolt-on neck guitar isn't put together carefully, it might not play or sound its best. Good craftsmanship is important for any guitar!
Guitar Brands Using Bolt-On Necks
Many well-known guitar companies use bolt-on necks for their instruments. Some of these include:
