Set neck

A neck joined to the body with glue over a large mating surface, rather than screwed on with a plate or extended through the body.

Proponents describe a fuller, more resonant transfer of vibration and a smoother sustain because there is no bolted joint between neck and body, and the smoother heel that a set neck allows improves access to the upper frets. The joint is also permanent in normal use, which makes a neck repair or replacement considerably harder and more expensive. Many historic single-cut and double-cut designs are built this way, and the construction is part of their reputation.

Example: a set-neck instrument played clean rings longer on a held chord than a comparable bolt-on, which many players attribute to the joint.

Set neck

See also