The only thing I would be worried about with a NT is that if something goes bad with it, or cracks, etc., then good luck with those repairs, whereas a neck can be replaced with a bolt-on..Just my 2 cents
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Is there a significant difference in tone between neck-through and bolt-on basses?
- Thread starter capnsandwich
- Start date
Yes. There is a significant difference. Neck-through instruments have more sustain and more complex harmonics/overtones than bolt on (actually in most cases they are "screw" on not bolt on). Set necks (pocket glued) have pretty much the same qualities as neck-through as they make an almost solid bond between the two pieces of wood. Attaching two pieces of wood together with three or four screws is absolutely not the same. IMHO anyone who says that there is no difference has probably never owned or spend a good deal of time with set-neck or neck-through instruments.
I own both and feel that I can setup the bolt so the strings are closer to the fretboard.
I have a neck through, it sounds only as good as any other $1000 bass I've played. There shouldn't be a price difference between bolt on and neck through.
Getting the strings close to the fretboard is really more a function of the nut, bridge, truss-rod set-up.
What kind of neck-trough do you own that can't be set-up properly?
Not for me. I own set necks, bolt-ons, and neck-thru basses. I’m not sold on the superiority of one over the other myself.
I confess I once believed (with a passion bordering on mania) that neck-thru was superior to a set neck, which was superior to a bolt-on.
Over the years that belief has gone the same way as my former belief in things like: “tonewoods,” high mass bridges, brass nuts, the innate inferiority of ceramic magnet pickups, and the material composition of the tone caps in passive guitar circuitry.
There are so many things that “just sound so right” but can’t be substantiated in any manner that would pass muster as a scientific fact. And even though a large portion of the population neither understands how the scientific process actually works, nor what constitutes a valid ‘proof’ or ‘fact’ in the sense science means it, doesn’t change that.
I’ve finally come to the conclusion that an electric bass is part of a system. There are a number of variables which all combine in a unique way (since some of the variables such as the individual pieces of wood being used can’t be replicated) - along with the vagaries and quirks of the amp and the player - to produce the sound being heard.
After that, my life became much happier and a whole lot simpler. Now the only thing I need to know about a bass is: Does it sound good when I play it through the amp I’m going to use it with? After that I’m like Coco Channel - “You know what I like dahling! Don’t bore me with the details. Just bring it to me.”
Neck through? Bolt on? Exotic wood species? Plastic? Brass? Light? High mass? Active? Passive?
Sure. Whatever.
Does it sound really good when I play it?
Oh, it does!
Excellent. Gimmee!
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If a bass is 2k more its probably going to sound better because its better not because its neck through.
Schecter Elite V. - It’s not sky high action, and the diff is negligible. I do believe my Jag is a smidge tighter tho.
No difference at all. The advantage of a bolt-neck (in my opinion) is the ability to swap necks or replace a neck if it somehow gets badly damaged.
I find it to be a cosmetic difference, as neck throughs can have that beautiful stripe running through the body...
The main components to tone are strings, pickups, electronics...
Other parts such as body wood, fingerboard wood, neck-through vs bolt-on, and through-body vs top load strings have such a minuscule effect on tone that no human can tell the difference.
I find it to be a cosmetic difference, as neck throughs can have that beautiful stripe running through the body...
The main components to tone are strings, pickups, electronics...
Other parts such as body wood, fingerboard wood, neck-through vs bolt-on, and through-body vs top load strings have such a minuscule effect on tone that no human can tell the difference.
Bolt on neck is easy make ,nt doesn’t
Thats why companies make bolton’s
Thats why companies make bolton’s
Yes, once I switched to Neck through, I find it almost impossible to get the same sounds in my playing with a bolt on. There is just no comparison. I know it is a big jump in price. but well worth the investment. And even set necks can't compare. I have a few too, like very expensive Warwick and Les Paul too.
You'll never know until you take that step.
You'll never know until you take that step.
You can get a new neck through for $500. So what exactly are you saying. If you have to spend 2k more on a neck through then the bolt on would be better. I'm just not sure why you're saying this. .That argument doesn’t quite follow. But ok.
Spector choose nt for euro and usa models for reasons
I'll say this. I have both a Cirrus USA neck-through and a Valenti bolt-on but they're such different animal to compare. Apples and oranges.
All depends on the Instrument. USA built Neck through Spectors ain't cheap.
I have a Indonesian Cirrus. Great bass for the price.
I have a Euro too. She plays great, but not the same caliber of bass as my three USA NS4s.
Would you believe I got my USA Cirrus 6 string for $800 BRAND NEW? Deal of the century!
