Is there a significant difference in tone between neck-through and bolt-on basses?

[capnsandwich]

I'm currently looking at 2 basses, both from the same builder. One is a bolt-on body style and the other a neck-through. The neck-through, however, is roughly $2k more than the bolt-on. Both are gorgeous basses and have similar wood combinations.

My question is this; is it worth it in tonal aspects to fork over $2k more for a neck-through? BTW, I'm checking them both out come this Sunday so that answers that but still want to know the opinions of some of you all.

 

[jeff62]

Nope. Everything else the same on two exact basses both assembled properly, no difference.

What neck through provides is typically easier access to the upper frets simply because the neck through can be shaped better vs a bolt on which is a bit chunkier at that point of assembly.

 

[moonshinegtrs]

We've been down this road... We've paved this road...

I'm sure that there is a ton of information on this subject here in TB land.

YMMV.


Moonshine

 

[5StringBlues]

 

[Coolhandjjl]

IMO, no tonal advantage to spending 2k more. I own both types of basses btw.

 

[Gorn]

Well.....no.

 

[west al]

I don't think there is. That's what the pickups are there for.

 

[moonshinegtrs]

Here is an excellent article on this subject.

Bass Bench: Can You Hear the Difference Between Different Neck Joints? | Premier Guitar


Moonshine

 

[bass12]

You can subscribe to all the theories you want regarding this one but, in the end, it will come down to the individual basses in question.

 

[capnsandwich]

Not trying to start a flame war but TB 's search function is a bit hard to navigate when looking for this topic.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Ok, ok. If I gotta come up with something, I’d say I have found that bolt-on basses have a better or more defined attack.

 

[Snaxster]

View attachment 2823303

 

[Bass Man Dan]

I thought neck throughs were supposed to have better sustain, but I just got done watching John Patitucci talk about how much he specifically likes the bolt on neck on his signature 6 string. So there you go.

 

[Snaxster]

Is there a significant difference in tone between neck-through and bolt-on basses?

is it worth it in tonal aspects to fork over $2k more for a neck-through?

Hello. It's important to note that those are questions about two very different things. The first one is about comparison; the second is about value.

Of course, if the answer to the first happens to be "no", then the second is moot.

Continue, please.

 

[capnsandwich]

I'm just curious if the extra $2k is worth it for a NT as opposed to a BO. So far my assumption is not really.

 

[capnsandwich]

Hello. It's important to note that those are questions about two very different things. The first one is about comparison; the second is about value.

Of course, if the answer to the first happens to be "no", then the second is moot.

Continue, please.

They're both connected though. Is it worth $2k more for a nt in tone difference? That's the point to this thread.

 

[interp]

Yes. No. Maybe.

 

[Buzz E]

In Warwick land, some will tell you that there is. I've played both and can't tell.

 

[Hounddog409]

I'm currently looking at 2 basses, both from the same builder. One is a bolt-on body style and the other a neck-through. The neck-through, however, is roughly $2k more than the bolt-on. Both are gorgeous basses and have similar wood combinations.

My question is this; is it worth it in tonal aspects to fork over $2k more for a neck-through? BTW, I'm checking them both out come this Sunday so that answers that but still want to know the opinions of some of you all.

I don't know about tone, but in my experience the neck through is more stable.

I have a '94 Carvin and a '16 4003 s. both neck though and I do not remember ever touching the truss rod on either. If a gun was held to my head, I couldn't even be sure if either had them.

My Fender Jazz and Ibby SR650 are both bolt on and I have had to adjust the truss rod a few times on each.

The Carvin and RIC also seem to hold tune better as well. I have to tweek the bolt on's every time I play them. The neck through seem to be once a week unless I bump a tuner.

Of course I can be full of crap too, this is just my experience

 

[Snaxster]

They're both connected though. Is it worth $2k more for a nt in tone difference? That's the point to this thread.

They are not essentially connected. You choose to connect them. Even then there can be an order of precedence between them in only one direction. That's what I tried to describe.

But never mind all that. TalkBass, indeed the interwebs, is no place for rigorous logical discourse. So just go for it!