Why Are There Different Neck Attachments on B.C. Rich Guitars?

B.C. Rich uses four different types of neck attachments on its guitars. These are the bolt-on, set neck, neck-through and Invisabolt Technology styles of neck construction. Each attachment type has its advantages and disadvantages. Lower-end B.C. Rich guitars almost exclusively have bolt-on necks. Higher-end B.C. Rich guitars can have any of the four methods of neck attachment.

Bolt-On Necks

Bolt-on necks have the body and neck of the guitar built as separate pieces. The neck and body are attached using screws. This is the same method of neck construction traditionally associated with Fender guitars. Bolt-on necks are more easily adjusted than the other types of necks. Some guitarists prefer the tone of the neck because there is no glue between the guitar neck and body. Bolt-on necks are usually associated with lower-end guitars, but high-end boutique guitar companies, such as Vigier and Caparison, use this method extensively.

Set Necks

Set necks have the body and neck glued together. Most set neck guitars are finished to hide the neck joint. This is the method of neck construction usually associated with Gibson and acoustic guitars. The tone of these guitars is usually warmer, better suiting some players. The neck joint of a set neck guitar is typically smaller than a bolt-on neck joint. This allows more comfortable access to the upper frets.

Neck-Through Guitars

In a neck-through guitar, the neck runs the entire length of the guitar body. Two body wings are glued on both sides of the neck to form the actual body shape. Neck-through guitars have no guitar heel because the body and neck are not attached to each other there. This allows the most comfortable upper-fret access of any guitar neck type. This method of neck construction does require a good portion of the guitar body to be made from the neck wood. Some guitarists don't like the tone of neck-through guitars because of this aspect of the construction.

Invisabolt Technology Necks

Invisabolt Technology (IT) necks are sometimes referred to as set through necks. These necks combine aspects of the neck-through and bolt-on neck methods of construction. IT necks use a much larger neck joint area to increase the amount of contact area between the neck and body. The larger contact area allows the guitar to have a much smaller neck heel, similar to a neck-through guitar. The neck is bolted to the guitar body and does not require glue. This neck type lacks the easier neck replacement and adjustments of the bolt-on construction due to the odd neck joint shape. The tonal characteristics are similar to those of a bolt-on neck, but with greater sustain and more comfortable upper-fret access.

How B.C. Rich Chooses

All four neck attachment types have their benefits and drawbacks. Each guitarist will have his own idea of which type is best. Higher-end guitars can have any of the four neck types to accommodate any player's needs. Bolt-on neck joints are cheaper and easier for B.C. Rich to mass-produce. This method is used to reduce the cost of manufacturing the lower-end guitars.

References

• B.C. Rich Guitars - Learn :: Necks

Resources

• Welcome to B.C. Rich Guitars