Question: Is there a philosophy about set neck/neck thru guitars?

[cjl5150]

Just curious...I noticed that there aren't any set neck or neck through EBMM guitars or basses. Made me curious if BP has ever shared why that is.

[Lou]

Set neck/neck thru guitars would be more labor intensive and cost more.

[spkirby]

Lou, don't jump to conclusions and let EBMM respond. As it is, inserting a tone block can't be too much different from engineering a set neck into a design. Plus BFR's are up in PRS territory pricewise anyway...

In fact EBMM have produced a very cool looking one-off albert lee inspired set neck. Personally I'd love to see an EBMM with a set neck... there is something about the sustain and tone of them that you just can't get with the current offerings.

[tommyindelaware]

i'm guessing that all the ebmm artist prefer the sound of a bolt on neck. there have been proto types......but they didin't make it to the production line. to me ....that says they tried it , but didn't really feel the need for it sonically.
this is just my guess.....not the conclusion....just for the sake of discussion. i do feel that bolt ons do sound consistantly superior...and more versitile.

[nobozos]

I honestly think there's alot of hype associated with set-neck, and neck-thru designs. I've owned several set neck and neck-thru guitars, and I would put the sustain and resonance of my EVH, or Axis's that I've owned up against any of them. There were even really high end set neck guitars that I've been frustrated with, because around the 12th fret on certian strings, there were dead spots. I mean no sustain whatsoever.

There have been a couple neck through guitars that I thought were pretty excellent, but still, I don't notice a dramatic difference in sustain between those, and any EBMM I've owned.

[bbake1]

I honestly think there's alot of hype associated with set-neck, and neck-thru designs. I've owned several set neck and neck-thru guitars, and I would put the sustain and resonance of my EVH, or Axis's that I've owned up against any of them. There were even really high end set neck guitars that I've been frustrated with, because around the 12th fret on certian strings, there were dead spots. I mean no sustain whatsoever.

There have been a couple neck through guitars that I thought were pretty excellent, but still, I don't notice a dramatic difference in sustain between those, and any EBMM I've owned.

+1. I will put my Axis' up against the set neck bunch any time for sustain resonance and clarity. I've had my share of premium set neck guitars and find no superiority to that design over a properly executed bolt-on neck.

[ily]

3 years ago i've got a set neck made by a luthier to my personal order and very hight price

the most impressive was very good acces to the hight frets
if you want to adjust angle's neck is it impossible
if you broke the neck (remember John DENNER axis..)you can't repair it

and never notice a better sound than my EBMM

[PeteDuBaldo]

I have a custom neck-thru 7 string. It's an awesome guitar, but aside from the lack of a neck heel and easy access to frets 17-24, I don't think it can do anything noticeably better than a bolt-on.

[browndog]

Out of the 30+ guitars that I have owned. Nothing compares to the comfort of an EBMM neck. The Sculpted neck joint is second to none.

[Stratty316]

Do a search on this topic and you will find plenty of threds on it. Personally I like a bolt on neck because it allows for extra adjustability and other modifications that you just can't do with a set neck. Just like the point about John D's Axis... What happens if you break the neck? For everyone saying they would put their Axis up against a set neck in terms of sustain and tone... I see your Axis and raise you a 2HB AL.(sustain for weeks!) I love my Axis, but the point is with a well built bolt on neck any benefits of a set neck guitar can be compensated for or surpassed.

In the end, BP has often said that choice is an important thing. Play what you like and if it makes you happy who cares what the headstock says? He also said in the last bolt on vs set neck thread is that the only reason EBMM doesn't have a set neck is that 1) they don't currently have an artist who wants one (they prototyped a JP back in the day) and 2) they don't see a need to make one just to get into that market.

Sorry if I'm being a little harsh and to the point in my post, but I have always been of the opinion that EBMM should stick to building great guitars and not what "we" think is great because of what we have been told is supposed to be great. If that was the case we would all be playing our Les Pauls through Marshall amps... not that there is anything wrong with that. I just like choices.

[radrock]

Tim and I will put our Axis hardtails up against any of your Axis SS hardtails anyday.

[Slingy]

A string can only vibrate for so long before you need to pick another note. Am I wrong in thinking that the quality of the strings and gauge is a big factor in sustain?

[bkrumme]

A string can only vibrate for so long before you need to pick another note. Am I wrong in thinking that the quality of the strings and gauge is a big factor in sustain?

Not wrong at all. A proper setup also helps.

I've owned many different guitars with different style neck joints. I love neck-thru guitars for the smooth, heelless joint, but that's about all they've got.

[spkirby]

Since I was the one to bring up the sustain issue which everyone has jumped on and shot down, let me say that sustain is probably a result of many things. There are benefits of bolt ons (adjustability, replaceable etc) and being a huge EBMM fan I also agree that the feel of the necks are second to none. However out of all my many EBMM's (trems, floyds, hardtails and BFRs inclusive), not one beats the sustain out of the one set neck guitar I own. Now I know that's not a huge sample size, and maybe I got lucky in buying it, but I figured the through neck design was playing a part in the magic.

Of course EBMM can do whatever they like regarding products and I wasn't insinuating otherwise, it's always nice to have a few more options but you can't always get what you want, especially if it's running contrary to company direction. As we all know there are hundreds of manufacturers out there, each selling something slightly different to suit our individual tastes. As for me, like most of you, almost 100% of my guitar collection wears a Musicman badge...

Peace!

[nobozos]

I wouldn't say that it would be wrong to say that it's a big factor. It's probably a bigger factor than whether or not you have a bolt-on, set-neck, or neck-thru design.

There are just too many variables that contribute to a guitar's sustain to say that any one of them will always provide maximum sustain.