How common are bolt-on necks?

thermionic · September 2023

I have a couple of Taylors with bolt-on necks, which are great. I guess many other manufacturers have adopted a similar construction due to the obvious advantages… but do any smaller bulders use a bolt-on instead of a glued-in neck?

earwighoney · September 2023

I've seen a few over the years but it's difficult to keep track of who does and who doesn't.

I came across a pretty good list here

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=548503

thermionic · September 2023

Interesting thread - thanks.

Jez6345789 · September 2023

There have always been a few before Taylor but Bob Taylor legitimised bolt ons Quite a few high end luthiers offer variants on bolt on necks unless they are doing slavish Martin copies.

I have not seen a definitive list as neck joint these days is not really a defining factor perhaps how it used to be. You like the sound you like the build design etc neck joints are pretty low down the list in my mind.

Tannin · September 2023

More and more common as the years roll on and building techniques improve. Dovetails are still considered the Traditionalists' Gold Standard but no-one has ever been able to demonstrate any tonal advantage to a dovetail over a bolt-on or (especially) a Spanish heel. (Some people claim that a Spanish heel is tonally superior to a dovetail. I regard that as pious nonsense.)

As for structural and mechanical considerations, well, bolt-ons rule. Yes, Spanish heels are the most durable and best able to resist neck problems, but on the other hand they are much harder to fix than even a dovetail. Dovetails are probably the most prone to neck issues and are medium-difficult to fix - a big job but not the end of the world. A properly made bolt-on is not only durable, it is also very easy to fix if it does go wrong.

Of my current-century guitars (counting two recently disposed of and two still on order) I have 3 dovetails, 2 Spanish heels, 4 bolt-ons, and I don't know what Brook use. I though it was a dovetail but someone in that linked thread said they used bolt-ons. Do I care either way? Not really.

bugileman · September 2023

Bolt on necks make a lot of sense. From the point of view that the guitar can have a neck reset and can be dismantled much easier. Many acoustic guitars eventually succumb to the dreaded neck reset, so having a guitar that's more serviceable is good thing in my book.

stickyfiddle · September 2023

My Atkin & Bourgeois are both bolt necks and both exceptional

drofluf · September 2023

@Tannin i think Brook use a “traditional” fitting but I can check later. I remember reading that they did a bolt on neck as a special for TV Smith so it could be removed for travelling so that would suggest it’s not standard. But bolt on and easily removed are not quite the same thing.

Also not quite a bolt on but Furch’s travel guitar has a clip on neck which means you can pack and unpack it in a few seconds. Even stays in tune whilst dismantled!

thermionic · September 2023

stickyfiddle said:

My Atkin & Bourgeois are both bolt necks and both exceptional

That’s the kind of high-end reassurance I was after!

Although I can be too much of a traditionalist in many ways, I am 100% in favour of non-glued joints - the practical advantages are overwhelming. I was just curious how common they were outside of the obvious Taylors etc.

stickyfiddle · September 2023

thermionic said:

stickyfiddle said:

My Atkin & Bourgeois are both bolt necks and both exceptional

That’s the kind of high-end reassurance I was after!

Although I can be too much of a traditionalist in many ways, I am 100% in favour of non-glued joints - the practical advantages are overwhelming. I was just curious how common they were outside of the obvious Taylors etc.

Yeah, I didn't know about either when I bought them but they've given me absolutely zero concerns

wrinkleygit · September 2023

Brook use a bolt on system, the hex head is just visible through the sound hole, having visited the work shop and seen their construction, it’s an excellent piece of workmanship.

Tannin · September 2023

Thanks @wrinkleygit! ;

Creed_Clicks · September 2023

The Big Baby Taylor is bolt on, and is a lovely guitar for the money.

Kittyfrisk · September 2023

Howe-Orme neck joints for the win

Further discussion on here https://www.mimf.com/library/Details_of_Howe-Orme_tilting_neck__Pictures_-09-18-2008.html
Some vintage but detailed neck joint debate here too https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=520555

drofluf · September 2023

I see @wrinkleygit has beaten me to it but I checked and mine’s also a bolt on.

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How common are bolt-on necks?

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