Hi Bassers!

I am doing a little research for Warwick and I wanted to get your input (which is incredibly valuable to me). Which bass design do you prefer: Neck-Thru or Bolt-On. More importantly, why? What does one offer you better than the other.

Thanks for the help!!!!


Dale

Dale,

No preference. If the bass feels, plays, and sounds the way I like, I don't look under the hood. I'm playing bolts now, but I play neck throughs for years. I would NEVER be able to tell a bolt from a neck through in a blindfold test, so I don't worry about it.

I used to have a Yamaha TRB-6P and an Ibanez Musician (both neck-throughs), but I have since moved to Fender, G&L, Fernandes and Music Man (all bolt-ons).

As best as I can tell, neck-throughs have a more "refined" quality, which can be nice, but it also seems to make a bass a little bit tamer in the mix. The bolt-ons seem to be more "raw", which works well for what I do (mostly grooving in an ensemble).

I was always a bolt-on guy until I started playing Carvins. Now I'm a "both" guy as I love my Fenders too. There is something "chunkier" about a bolt-on. That's a nice quality in a bass. But then again, my Swamp Ash Carvin is plenty punchy, I think wood and construction have a more profound effect of the axe.

Still, there are many players that are loyal to one or the other. One thing I'll say is bolt-on or neck-through, I want a bass with total clearance to all the frets. If it has 24, then I want to be able to reach the 24th fret with my pinky. I use those notes.

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http://www.edfriedland.com

Hi. I agree with Ed. I'd sum up the differences simply as:
Bolt ons=a bouncy feel generally-Fender like. R&B producers and a lot of funk producers/engineers seem to prefer this when I do sessions.

Neck Throughs= "refined" is a good term. Much longer sustain and a smoother attack generally. (Although I am playing an active fretless neck through ( Pedulla). Not as bouncy. I prefer the sound for folk, jazz, singer songwriter,ballads, ethereal stuff like Pink Floyd-ish material etc. I'm definitely a "both" guy too. I own a real expensive neck through and a cheaper fretted bolt on because I do lean towards n.t.s a bit more and can't afford two expensive instruments.

Hope this helps. Jim T.

Though this is probably not an issue with high end bolt-ons, a bolt-on neck gives the opportunity to change the neck-body angle by using thin shims.

I was always a fender guy. Bolt on's. I liked the idea
of interchangeable parts. I always longed for a stable
neck. I finally got a Carvin 6 str. neck thru. I think
the width of the neck and the neck thru make for the
stableness I was always looking for. More sustain,
clearer tone. The Carvin is now my main bass. probably
be selling off Fenders.

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Thank you,
Craig S. Leyh
CraigLeyh@FrameBand.com

Yes, I DO like being able to work with the neck angle with shims on bolt on basses. I find it can have a dramatic effect on the overall feel. I do that to every bolt on neck instrument I have. But, on the Carvins, I've never missed the capability to change the angle. I guess if it's built right from the start it's not an issue.

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http://www.edfriedland.com

I have always preferred neck-thrus for strength, feel and aesthetic appeal. A neck-thru looks like art to me, a bolt-on looks like a tool.

My Ibanez Musician and Rickenbacker 4001 are neck-thrus. My Conklin 7-string, Yamaha RBX260f and Fender J are bolt-ons.

My next Conklin will definitely be a neck-thru due to heel-size considerations, and overall aesthetic appeal. A neck-thru instrument feels more "integrated" to me.

Just my $0.02 worth...
- Christian
Budapest, Hungary
http://www.Crunchy-Frog.com

>>>My Ibanez Musician and Rickenbacker 4001 are neck-thrus.


I Thought Rick's were Glue on necks like Les Pauls. Anybody?

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Thank you,
Craig S. Leyh
CraigLeyh@FrameBand.com

I own several bolt on basses, one neck through, and one glue on neck.

Generally since I like the Fender sound, that must mean I like bolt on necks, but I judge each bass individually and there are so many variables with wood pickups and many other things that I guess the real choice is what the bass sounds like.
On lower price basses, bolt on is great because it allows you to switch necks. It's also a great idea for the person who wants to build his own "custom" bass out of parts, which I have done.

Jeremy

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http://www.jps.net/jeremy/basspage.html

dtitus , (do you work for Warwick?)
Actually the bolt on Conklins and the neck throughs are a great comparison bass to hear which you might prefer. Most Guitar Center stores have them both for a side by side comparison. I VERY DEFINITELY favored the neck through. Same with Pedulla's neck throughs and their bolt ons. The differences and personal preference for either wasn't quite as dramatic with some other brands I've tried. Warwick comes to mind although I haven't tried all of their models.
The "age old advice" that you should pick ANY bass by it's acoustic sound qualities first-before even plugging it in is good advice. The woods selected affect tone and brightness,etc. greatly, but I think most players could also hear a very definite difference between neck throughs and bolt ons. It might be harder on recordings but I think I could most of the time. The art vs. tool comment holds true for me too-everytime I play my neck through. (My Pedulla hexabuzz has a hard coating on the fingerboard so perhaps the neck through qualities come through even more than they otherwise would. Let us all know what you decide after info gathering.

Hey Jim,

Yes, I am a product specialist and sales rep for Warwick. They also ask me to do research for new products, which means that I get to play a lot of prototypes! It is a great job and they are a great company to work for.

If you have any Warwick questions, feel free to email me directly!

Dale

Rickenbacker basses are neck thru's not glue on's

>Rickenbacker basses are neck thru's not glue on's

Thanks Lug!

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Thank you,
Craig S. Leyh
CraigLeyh@FrameBand.com