Setneck or Bolt-on: does it matter?

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Author Message John Shanley (Johns) Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:    Nobody complains that Fenders are "bolt-ons" and therfore sonically deficient or unstable. In fact, a setneck doesn't seem to be an "asset" even in Custom Shop Fenders. So, why are they less desirable in Ibanez replicas? Is it just becasue they aren't faithful copies? Anybody ever played both to see what the "truth" is, regarding sound, playability or stability? Kyle Kruszewski Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:    Ooh, the age old debate of the bolt on vs. set neck. Funny how there is that double standard as pointed out by John Shanley. In simple terms, I guess that would seem an injustice to the old Ibanez bolt on replicas, but at the same time, can totally understand why they are for the most part undersirable to collectors. Bolt on guitars are fabulous. A new instrument for a new style of music. In theoretical terms, any fine stringed instrument will have a minimum of fasteners and resonance inhibators, but frankly, can we A) afford such sonically correct instruments or B) want them exposed to the conditions of the average gigging musician? Probably not. In that sense, the Fender electric was brilliant. A guitar with playability and ease of maintainence in mind. Further more, it was a guitar that [perhaps by fluke] defined a whole new sound! Hell, think of all the Jimi and SRV clones out there. The Fender concept was taken in such directions that it didn't really matter that the guitar's neck was attached by four screws, or that large chunks of the body where missing for the sake of housing electronics (and tremelo systems), or that there was a gigantic piece of plastic screwed to the frount of it! On the other hand, there were of course other philosophies in the early electric guitar industry; those who thought the fender was a mere cookie cutter plank guitar. The sounds these instruments produced were similar yet worlds apart in character. In addition, the feel is entirely different. A Les Paul for expample may not be the most comfortable guitar to play, but it does have a feeling of stability that's hard to beat. I guess what it all comes down to is, a Les Paul with a bolt on neck is just damn weird. That, or any other Gibson style guitar for that matter. We're just not used to that combination. I guess it's kind of interesting to think what kind of sound they produce vs. a set neck (I haven't had the opportunity to audition one at length), but I'm sure the guitar collectors of the world realize that bolt on replicas are a dime a dozen. I guess the question remains, is there any noticable differance in the quality that goes into an Ibanez bolt on Gibson replica vs. any other replica? If so, there may be something that these guitars have to offer us. I am quite curious to hear what others have to say about their Ibanez bolt on replicas, or on the topic of neck joints in general. Keep it comin', Kyle Kruszewski ;) Lee MacMillan Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:    I have a bolt-on neck Ibanez LP cherry sunburst Custom. As far as I'm concerned, it plays just as well and sounds better than my brother's 70s LP Standard. I really like the sound of a 90s Gibson LP Custom I have played but playability isn't any better than mine. And both of the "real things" are too damn heavy. (Here's Lee's Baby -JS) Lionel Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:    I suspect the reason for people not wanting set neck Ibanez Guitars may actually be simpler than thought. Replicas are thought to be sub-standard, and the only reason someone would buy a Squire rather than a Fender is that the former is cheaper. For that matter I guess that's the reason why the JEM 555 is not as popular as the JEM777. If you want something, get the real thing. If I wanted a set neck, I'd rather get a PRS or a Gibson than an Ibanez. (although to this date I refuse to play anything except Ibanez Guitars) The reason why Ibanez Guitars have done so well against thair competitors is that there aren't really any. Think about it. People who want a Les Paul would scrimp and save to buy the real thing. (no offense meant, Lee) People who want Strats would rather buy the real thing too. None of these two excellent companies have strong points in what Ibanez has. The RG design. Neither does Ibanez have very good products in Strat or LP copies. (again, no offense, Lee) But some may disagree with me in that the quality of Ibanez Guitars makes it possible to produce excellent standards in Strat copies and LP copies. I say, to each his own. Another point to make is that few people who want such models would want to be seen with a copy. They mostly want the original due to brand name or endorsement. I always wanted the John Petrucci sound and could never get it no matter how I changed my pickups. That was until I actually bought the Ibanez 90th Anniversary JPM. Now I don't even need effects. Just the JPM and a good amp and I can get as close as possible to his sound. So I'm basically saying (finally) that the difference that matters to people about set-necks or bolt-ons has more to do with pride and image rather than actual feel. Rich Mansueto Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:    I have several Ibanez and Gibson Les Pauls with bolt on and set necks.They play just as well and sound as good so from a performance standpoint I don't see a difference. There is a percieved difference in quality though I don't think it is warranted.I have a Ibanez Les Paul 3 pickup Black Beauty with a bolt on neck that I would defy anyone to tell the difference between the original other than the bolt on neck. G. Minch Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:    I have been playing, on and off, for about 40 years. My first guitar was a Fender MusicMaster, my second was a Goya Electric, then a Gibson ES335, ES335TD, Gibson Byrdland, Les Paul Standard, Fender Jazzmaster, and Fender Esquire. these were all pre 1964 model guitars. When I came out of the service in 1968 I wanted to buy that one guitar I would keep the rest of my life. At that time I thought it was to be the Barney Kessel Custom by Gibson. When I went to the music shop and picked up the Barney Kessel it was undoubtedly the most uncomfortable guitar I had ever touched in my life. I ended up with a Yamaha (ES335 copy) which was okay but nothing to write home about. In 1977 I once again went to get that one guitar to last for the rest of my life. While looking about the shop, at all the Gibsons and Fenders, someone offered me a really good deal on an Ibanez PF200. I thought I was being foolish but I went with the money factor and purchased the Ibanez. Once I had it home I found that it really was THAT LIFE TIME GUITAR, extremely comfortable to play and sounded great. It has been my guitar for 22 years and traveled the world with me. The bolt on neck shouldn't be cause for any concern. Mine hasn't come unscrewed in 22 years and the guitar looks and plays as well today as it did in 1977. It's a great old axe... DAN CHAVERS Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:    I have a 1977 (bolt on neck, ivory, gold hardware) Ibanez Lespaul Custom. It is a beauty to behold and will hold its own in playability and tone with any Gibson.I also just bought a Korean made Hamer(t-51 Tele)that is the essence of Tele Tones. For years I rode Harleys and was locked into the attitude that if it wasn't a Harley it was no good,Then, one day on my 74ci.in. shovelhead, I had my doors blown off by a little 550GS Suzuki. The bottom line: WHEN YOU SET ALL THE SNOBBERY ASIDE THE ONLY THING THAT COUNTS IS THE PLEASURE YOU GET PLAYING AND THE TONE YOU ARE ABLE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS. Andy Hiscock Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:    I have a Gibson 330 copy (hollow with trapeze and no centre block i.e. not a 335)and had a Rickenbacker 4001 copy both were early 70's and looked fine from the front. they both had bolt on necks and played well. Both have non-Ibanez pick-ups - but Japanese clones back stamped MAXCH, they sound poor. I have experience of these pickups elsewhere and often they are single coils in humbucker casing. In the case of the 4001 they did not even closely resemble the Rickenbacker pu's You would not want to seriously play these guitars. I answered an ad recently for a Les paul copy which I was led to belive was set neck, but was not. This guitar again looked good but sounded thin and weedy. It did not sound bad but it was not at all like a les paul. Research proved it to be a budget model. I have tried many fixed neck les paul copies and found them superb (but over priced - so I did not buy one yet) I looked today at a Jan 78 Jazz bass copy - on of the last lawsuit modles made and it was superb, but not as good sound as my Tokai and more expensive. Generally my experience is that Tokai made better copies of fenders than Ibanez, being closer to the feel sound and design (e.g. mapel necks were one piece not capped) of the original I agree if you like guitar for what ever reason then use it. I have preference for copies that are at least as good as the guitar they copy. I have a Levinson tele thinline that eats anything fender ever made. Ibanez has made some bad copies down to a budget with looks more important than price so bewar that all Ibanez copies are not the same quality. I have 9 Ibanezes including a CA and 3 artists. These are perfect guitars in their own right. I have an Ibanez concord j200 COpy" that Gibson never made) - it has Gibson crest copy same inlays bridge etc but is made in the most incredible solid flame maple (which gibson never did) It plays and sound like nothing I have heard. There are some Ibanez copies which are must haves. There is some junk out there and more often it is the bolt on neck replicas of fixed neck originals. Epiphone is doing this today. Aaron Hancock Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:    I agree on the Epiphone stuff. I've had several Epiphone guitars, and the Ibanez Les Paul's I have eats them alive! I have two LP's, a set neck, and a bolt-on. The bolt on has the early super 80's pickups which are amazing! I just wish it was a set neck, but oh well. The only quality Epiphone I've owned, and still do, is a great 89 Firebird copy, no bolt-on, all good stuff. EMG select pickups came standard and are very good sounding to boot. The Les Paul I had that was Epiphone was very pretty... but didn't sound good at all! I parted ways with it when I bought my Les Paul bolt-on Ibanez. All my Ibanez copies rock hard and sound wonderful. I can vouch for my guitars only because several of them are rare and the Les Paul bolt-on was a late production run right at the lawsuit time and not many got equipped like mine, but I have seen one other similar guitar with chrome hardware like mine. goat aka Aaron Clark Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:    Add another vote for bolt on. My '68 Gibson SG developed terminal neck problems. Sounded sweet but became unplayable as it warped beyond the limits of the truss rod. I own a '74 Ibanez LP with the bolt-on, and I love it. Great sound, great playability, great feel. I'm not inclined to worry about whether or not the bolt-on neck makes it more "collectable", as I'm far more interested in having guitars that are playable. I record with them every day, and I'm very critical about the details of tone and intonation. Whatever works, works. And the Ibanez LP most definitely works well! JohnS Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:    Clark: Is your Ibanez LP all stock? Many serious musicians end up replacing the tuners, bridge and pickups on Ibanez copies. JohnS thylord Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:    okay, my thoughts... I own 3 vintage Ibanez's, (2 DT's 300 & 400 & a IC-400), 1 dt is bolt, the other is a set neck,(going thru a Marshall) sound wise, they r both very similiar, the set neck has a fuller more bassy sound than my bolt, the bolt being a little bit brighter, hafta say though, the set neck feels much better than the bolt..In closing, what does it matter, its a vintage Ibanez & thats all that matters.... Good Day's,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Marcus Clark Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:    John S, Yep, there are upgrades. The previous owner replaced the tuners with Grovers, a brilliant idea, IMHO. I would have done the same. I changed the bridge pickup to a DiMarzio PAF. Other than this, it is stock. One day I'll upgrade the bridge because the original is somewhat corroded from age. But it still works flawlessly; intonation is spot on. And the original neck pickup is very sweet as is. This certainly is a player's guitar, not a collector's piece. ---Clark JohnS Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:    Clark: It's a shame that "improving" a guitar's playabilty hurts it's collectibility/price (notice I didn't say value). I'm searching for the right "player" that is fundamentally a great piece of wood and design, but also isn't going to become collectible. Something that I can refinish and "improve" with all the bells and whistles I want and not feel guilty about it 5 years down the line. Clark Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:    Johns, Well the good news is that there's no such thing as the one and only "magic" guitar. I finally figured this out when I got up to about 8 or 9 of them. Hey, I love them all.. and each is different, bringing it's own character to the mix. Each one might spark the right mood or the right solo. So I'm not nearly as obsessed about finding that one "perfect" guitar any more, because I've learned that there's so many of them if you look hard enough. I like the Ibanez Les Paul because I can modify it and not affect its value. I also strongly recommend Fender Strats for the same reason; I own five of those. I've got one or two "collector" guitars that I choose not to modify, but I do still play them. To me, I always check: a) does the guitar play and stay in tune? This is a MUST have. b) does it sing? If it feels good in my hands as it resonates, I will enjoy playing it. c) does it look beautiful? I want one that begs me to play it. Amazingly, every time a guitar passed tests a, b and c, it sounded awesome too. I've purchased some incredible guitars without even plugging them in. If the guitar doesn't kill me, I leave it in the shop. I've played about a million of those, and they're all still out there somewhere. Hope this helps! I love my Ibanez, and I play it a lot. ---Clark Harry Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:03 am:    Hello Ibaneezers! Bolt on vs. set necks: my opinion: Sure Í'd prefer a set neck on a Les Paul copy because that's the way a Les Paul was ment to be! I own two Ibanez Les Pauls with bolt on necks, wich isn't faithfull to the original design, but that goes for the arched top as well. Quite a difference if you build a guitar with a solid maple top or with a three-layer plywood "pressed-in-shape" top as Ibanez did on many Les Paul copies. And -doing so- creating a lot of cavity that causes a lot of extra microphonic feedback when playing with distortion. So it's obviously not fair to compare such a copy with the original. I must say that I also own a Tokai and a Vester Les Paul copy with set necks and solid tops and they're very, very good. Actually (from a player's point of view) they're a lot better than my two Ibanez Les Pauls. But that's not only because of the neck/body joint: better pickups, better woods, better hardware, better controls, better overall-construction. But therefore: more expensive! Let's be fair: Back in the seventies it was hard for young guitarists to find any affordable guitar that would bring reasonable sound and playing quality. Than came Ibanez (along with some other Japaneze companies). With very good looking copies with acceptable sound and good playability. And because of mass production, lower salaries and less-quality wood/parts they didn't even cost one third of the originals. And even in spite of this: let's not forget that at THAT time the quality concidering the price was matchless. And there you were: looking like Jeff Beck or Jimi Hendrix, playing your socks off with your (Ibanez) Strat, or looking like Toni Iommi with your (Ibanez) SG. Copying your heroes with a copy of the very guitar they played! Because of the fact that reasonable good guitars came in reach of the youngsters back than tributed a lot to the booming army of guitarplayers. In my opinion we shouldn't judge the Ibanez copies with the standards of today, but in the setting of the seventies and what these guitars' function and purpose was at that time. Let's face it: the main reason we love those Ibanez copies has also to do with a lot of nostalgic feelings. Who cares what others feel about those "inferior" bolt on's. For us, Ibanez addicts, there is one big reasons why we willingly accept some minor facts as far as the accurate construction is concerned: we just LOVE them! greetings from the Netherlands, Harry. Jlkjlk8 (Jlkjlk8) Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2002 - 10:03 pm:    Hey I'm somewaht new to all debate and really don't have a strong opinion about bolt vs set neck, however I recently acquired an interesting ax. It is an AM-50 WITH A GOSH DARN SET NECK! Is this considered a rarity or what? Thanks for your responses fellow Ibanezites. James of San Jose Johns (Johns) Posted on Thursday, January 10, 2002 - 9:20 am:    James: Most AM-50 owners speak highly of them. For more info, use the Keyword Search item under the Utilities menu. Try it 2 ways: first, enter am50 and then try "am-50" (quotes are necessary for the second one because of the hyphen). You should come up with all the message threads that mention the AM50. Jansemannen (Jansemannen) Posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2002 - 2:34 am:    Hi everyone! I hope to get som expertice help. I want the age of my Ibanez Lp copy. It belonged to my father, its a setneck and it is bought before 75'. it is in cherry sunburst and that is all i know about it. the condition is perfect, its been stored in a case for about 27 years = not in use. Where can i see the serial number, there is nothing visible on the guitar. Hope someone knows!!! Tankyou. Ibnzfdr (Ibnzfdr) Posted on Sunday, January 05, 2003 - 3:28 pm:    (another vote for bolt ons) I have a 75 2350 custom Ibanez lp and think it is the best sounding and ,especially,playing guitar I've had and I've been playing for 15 years having had 20 some guitars over those years ,two being gibsons(lp's) and various other les paul copies in there also.With the Ibanez anyway I don't think the bolt on hinders tone in anyway ,or quality for that matter . The best thing about this guitar is the neck profile/shape ,it fits my hand just perfectly ,much better than any of the Gibson necks (I realize that's just a personal thing I like but ...) Oh well I vote for Bolt ons . Thinking about starting to look for a 2nd one too - any of you guys got one for sale (bolt on les paul replica) ? I on my way to the classified page now ! Ibnzfdr ps. I have replaced the pick ups and tuners as you guys were discussing ....... Russellw (Russellw) Posted on Friday, January 10, 2003 - 2:04 am:    Interesting debate guys. Maybe I am getting old (actually I am) but I really struggle to find any real difference in the Vintage Ibanez bolt on and set necks. For set necks I have a 2618-12, AM205 and 2451. Bolt on I have a 2350, 2354 and 2402. Plus a couple still in ther workshop. Fundamentally they all have different uses and different sounds which is why I love them all! About the only time I have ever noted a real difference is in my studio where there are sensitive instruments at hand and all of the set necks display marginally more sustain. Not detectable to these aged ears but there none-the-less. As far as stability goes I would pick the set necks by a narrow margin. For playability and comfort, I would probably lean slightly towards the bolt ons but mostly because they generally feel better balanced to me. Lighter too in most cases (well except the twin neck anyway). Seems to me that snobbery generally has more to do with it than cold, hard facts. But then I have reached that stage of my life where reputation means nothing. Cheers Russ Dave_G (Dave_G) Posted on Friday, January 10, 2003 - 7:28 pm:    Interesting Topic. I have been collecting guitars for the better part of 20 years and about 10 years ago became a "set neck" & American made snob. I sold off my collection of Fender Strats in favor of Gibson SG's , LP's , Carvin and other Set Neck Guitars. I defended this attitude by stating that set neck guitars sound better and have better sustain etc, and USA made guitars "RULED" Then came EBay.. My first Ibanez was, naturally, a set neck Artist with tremendous sustain, crisp bite from the super 70's and unreal detail with the abalone and MOP inlays-I was hooked. Needless to say have "Graduated" into the bolt neck '70's LP's with super 70's...my new favorite guitar ! These beasts have the same growl as the Gibbies of the same era, but are lightweight and FUN to play. I don't know what it is-its hard to purt your finger on-but these guitars are a BLAST to play and encourage LONG sets ! Even the heaver of the Artists (2617) are a breeze. I like the bolts as much as the set neck models, especially if they feature the super 70's !...I think its time to loose the Gibbies ! Fredb (Fredb) Posted on Saturday, January 11, 2003 - 5:04 pm:    I remember seeing a documentary once on how auto makers design car doors, if the door doesn't make a solid sound when shut, people would think a car isn't stable, even though the sound isn't connected to how strong the door actually is -- sort of reminds me of set necks v. bolt-ons, because you can reason about there not being a big difference (which I agree with, although I think bolt-ons have a little less tuning stability), but it's an overall feel issue. I have an uncollectible '77 LP bolt-on that's an incredible player, but when I switch between it and one of my Artists, it does feel sort-of-cheaper. It's the combination of the pressed top, hollow spots in the body, and the bolt-on neck that makes feel cheaper. Luckily I listen to my ears on it 'cause it really sings and the fretless wonder-style action is incredible, practically plays itself. Red_Zeppelin (Red_Zeppelin) Posted on Wednesday, January 15, 2003 - 10:21 pm:    Hey i'm new to the whole ibanez thing and am in need of some advice. I'm currently in the process of purchasing my first decent guitar. Im tossing up between a new epiphone Dot (es335 copy, costing $1100 aussie dollars) or an ibanez 2370 (1970's) in a pawnshop costing $650. Bolt on neck that looks like it has been taken off at some stage (the painting looks all screwed up around the jion and the ibanez plate on the back of the neck is missing. any advice would be warmly welcomed. ROCK and ROLL Munch (Munch) Posted on Thursday, January 16, 2003 - 7:26 am:    Red, See my email to you. Mark Psi (Psi) Posted on Thursday, June 17, 2004 - 3:11 pm:    Ah, nice to see some off-key reactions over here. As far as the set/bold-issue, answers would be simple: if we're speaking 1-piece instruments in general, you should get better sound and stability. Let's face it: a Strat sucks from viewpoints of stability, it's the first thing we all noticed about the thing, don't we? Ever saw a violin with a bold-on neck? Now this may seem silly, but it's not. The fact that many people can't find much difference proves one thing, namely: many set-necks are simply not well manufactured or the instrument in particular is simply not well tuned... Spend that € 100,- or something!!! I own a Ibanez PF400 set-neck, many times i could have changed it free for a real LP, offered by its owners after they saw and played my guitar. Not a chance! This baby really cries to me. A set-neck will, if well-produced and well-tuned, deliver, and live. Moonlighter (Moonlighter) Posted on Saturday, August 21, 2004 - 2:14 pm:    Can't imagine anything stranger than an LP copy sporting not only a bolt-on neck but a maple bolt-on neck, and yet that's what we find on the 1977 2342 Deluxe 59'er in the ivory finish, otherwise known as "The Sunlight Special". Cheap it may have been originally but you only have to clap eyes on the thing (see the cover of Paul Gilbert and Jimi Kidd's cd Raw Blues Power)to conclude that this unconventional combination makes for an extremely attractive guitar. As far as the tone and playabilty of either the black or the ivory 2342, you only have to ask yourself why Paul Gilbert, who can afford (or gets given) any Ibanez new or old or any other guitar on the planet for that matter, chooses to make such frequent use of this bolt-on necked LP copy "cheapo". You only have to listen to what he does with it to realize that, bolt-on neck or not, the 2342 offers a master like PG, as well as all of us less celestial players, something that transcends its humble origins... Guess I like it a bit. In fact every bit as much as the 1958 and 1960 Les Paul originals that I used to own! So, in my experience at least, set neck vs. bolt-on becomes a mute argument. Moonlighter Craigjc (Craigjc) Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 7:27 am:    Maple necks were probably being used by Gibson at that time. My 1976 Gibson catalogs list the Les Paul line as sporting maple necks rather than mahoghany. I'm surprised that this hasn't been a really big factor in Gibson collectors; it seems everyone assumes they're all mahoghany. Moonlighter (Moonlighter) Posted on Wednesday, September 01, 2004 - 10:09 am:    Craigjc, You're absolutely right. Doing my homework after the fact The Gibson Les Paul Book tells us that the Custom "Third Version" was offered with a maple fingerboard option from 1976 to 1980. But who among us has ever actually seen one? Must be a rare critter indeed. If anyone has seen an LP Custom like this or, even better, owns one I would be very interested to see a photo of it (e-mail me at mvsbgb@yahoo.co.uk. Gibson finishes for the Custom "Third Version" even included "natural" or "colours" (including white) so we're getting pretty close to the possibility that there was a Gibson in existence (or that could be special ordered) in 1977 that looked a lot like the combination that Ibanez came up with for the 2342 "Sunlight Special". But of course that Gibo maple neck was never going to be a bolt-on. Wonder what effect if any the maple set neck had (or would have had) on traditional ebony/mahogany LP tone... anyone able to shed any light on this? Moonlighter Craigjc (Craigjc) Posted on Thursday, September 02, 2004 - 7:22 am:    Not only did they offer a maple fingerboard version, but the rosewood and ebony fingerboard guitars of this era had maple necks. You'd think this would be a big tone change from the mahogany...probably sound more like an Ibanez!! Dlmorley (Dlmorley) Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 3:43 am:    I prefer the set neck ibanez. I have a PF350 and it is lovely. I have played a few PF200's and they are great, but it's not the same IMHO. I feel that the design between fender/gibson has evolved and they are both right, but to me a set neck superstrat doesn't seem right either.... Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 8:26 am:    Ah but a neck thru Strat would make me drool! Mr_Roadstar (Mr_Roadstar) Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 12:06 pm:    Fender seems to think a set-neck Strat is a good idea: http://www.fender.com/products/show.php?partno=0263080 Steve Ariblues (Ariblues) Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 4:41 am:    Ariblues (Ariblues) Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 4:42 am:    Ariblues (Ariblues) Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 4:45 am:    El Maya Original with a very set neck! Harry (Harry) Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 5:19 am:    Even better: a neck-through-body construction!!! Nicely built, this one. How does it play and sound? Harry Ibanezfreak1960 (Ibanezfreak1960) Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 7:41 am:    Now you got my attention! A neck thru hard tail! Ariblues (Ariblues) Posted on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 12:49 pm:    El Maya "Original" body: walnut, ash, rosewood neck: maple/walnut/maple ("sandwich"construction) fretboard: rosewood brass saddles and nut It plays like a dream! With open chords the non amplified acoustic sound is so loud that you can sing with it! Snowjays Username: Snowjays Registered: 09-2004 Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 1:08 am:    OK fellas, Here's a new twist to this arguement. A thru neck with a bolt on body. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3757912883&ssPageName =STRK:MEWA:IT It looks absolutely amazing. Have no idea how it plays, but I'm hoping I can get a test ride in a few weeks. Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 6:48 am:    That thing on ebay looks like a guitar run over by a steam roller. Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 9:24 am:    Looks like an early prototype for the Ibanez "Roadkill" series Ibanezfreak1960 Username: Ibanezfreak1960 Registered: 03-2004 Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 9:45 am:    Yeah thats a good one Funkle Captainibanez Username: Captainibanez Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Saturday, October 30, 2004 - 9:05 am:    Set neck or bolt on...If it's a Ibanez...nothing else matters! No matter what model, it has it's special place in Ibanez Collectors World...and don't you forget it !...Besides there are so many different ones Happy Days and Keep On Rockin' Captain Ibanez

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