Neck-through
886639
218475960
2008-06-10T20:36:40Z
24.118.177.43
updated that firebird is a current model
[[Image:Ibanez Studio ST-100 electric guitar back.jpg|thumb|Neck-through construction on Ibanez Studio guitar]]
'''Neck-through''' or '''neck-thru''' (or in full form '''neck through body''') is a method of [[electric guitar]] or [[bass guitar]] construction that involves extending the piece (or pieces, in a laminate construction) of wood used for the neck through the entire length of the body, essentially making it the core of the body. The strings, fretboard, pickups and bridge are all mounted on this piece. So-called "ears" or "wings" (i.e. side parts of the body) are glued or laminated to the central "stick". The "wings" may be [[bookmatched]] in order to give a symmetrical appearance, and are often cut from one piece of wood.
== History ==
"The Log", a prototype [[solid-body guitar]] built by [[Les Paul]] in 1930s, can be considered as a forerunner of neck-through, as he built it by using a 2x4 piece of pine as the neck and body core, and mounted the disassembled part of an archtop onto it.
== Advantages and disadvantages ==
Neck-through construction is significantly harder to mass-produce than [[bolt-on]] or [[set-in neck]] constructions and is primarily found on high-end guitars. It is somewhat more common in basses than in guitars. Neck-thru construction allows easier access to upper frets, because there is no need for a heel — the thickened area where a neck would "bolt-on" (although technically, 3-4 large screws are used) to the body. Many musicians assert that neck-through construction provides greater sustain and stay in tune longer. There is little formal research on this topic, but what exists does not support this assertion.<ref name="mottola-sustain">{{cite journal
| last = Mottola
| first = R.M.
| title = Sustain and Electric Guitar Neck Joint Type
| journal = American Lutherie
| issue = 91
| pages = 52
| date = Fall 2007
}}</ref>
Repairs to the neck are usually expensive and tedious. In many cases, it is usually easier to remove the old neck completely, either by taking the wings off and putting an entirely new core in, or by converting the guitar to a bolt-on or set neck by creating a heel and affixing the new neck to the core already in place, rather than to try and repair the neck itself. However, thanks to excellent stability and reaction to string tension and pressure, neck through guitars are often much more sturdy than many other guitars on the market.
== Usage ==
This structure is used by many companies, including [[BC Rich]], [[Ibanez]] (primarily on basses), [[Jackson Guitars|Jackson]], [[Alembic Inc|Alembic]], [[Schecter Guitar Research|Schecter]], [[Carvin A&I|Carvin]], [[ESP Guitars]], [[Hamer]], and [[Rickenbacker]], which was the first guitar manufactured to use this technique, although this was restricted exclusively to semi-hollowbody guitars. The [[Gibson Firebird]] and [[Gibson Thunderbird|Thunderbird]], which have had intermittent production, also use this technique. This method of neck-to-body affixation is also popular with independent guitar builders.
== References ==
<references/>
{{Guitar necks}}
{{guitar-stub}}
[[Category:Guitar neck joints]]
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