{{more sources|date=August 2022}} '''Set-through neck''' (or '''Set-thru neck''') is a method of joining the neck and the body of guitar (or similar stringed instrument), effectively combining ''bolt-on'', ''set-in'' and ''neck-through'' methods. It involves:
* A pocket in the instrument's body for insertion of neck, as in '''bolt-on''' method. However, the pocket is much deeper than usual one. * Long neck plank, comparable to the scale length, as in the ''neck-through'' method. * Glueing (setting) the long neck inside the deep pocket, as in the ''set-neck'' method.
The result is usually told to have combined advantages of all these methods, mostly eliminating their disadvantages. Luthiers frequently cite:
* improved tone and sustain (due to deep insertion and body made of single piece of wood, not laminated as in neck-through), * brighter tone (due to set joint) * comfortable access to top frets (due to lack of hard heel and bolt plate), * better wood stability.
The main disadvantage is relatively complex construction that leads to higher manufacturing and servicing costs. Another cited disadvantage is the inability or relative complexity of adding a double-locking tremolo to the guitar, as the routing for cavities would interfere with deeply set neck.
== Manufacturers ==
Set-through necks are relatively uncommon, and few manufacturers produce such neck joints. Sometimes, especially if neck extension inside a body does not fill full scale length, such neck joint is marketed as an '''extended pocket set-in neck''' or '''deep-set neck'''.
David Thomas McNaught claims to be the first who proposed a modern version of set-through neck joint. "Set-Thru" is a registered trademark of McNaught Guitars in United States since February 25, 2003.<ref>[http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=78014000 "Set-thru" neck trademark information], serial number 78014000, registration number 2690889 at US patents office server.</ref>
Despite the trademark, some other companies use the term to describe their products, including Dean Guitars, ESP Guitars, Solar Guitars, and B.C. Rich.
As opposed to popular neck-through designs that emphasize the neck as one piece of wood and the body wings as (laminated) separate pieces by using transparent or semi-transparent finishes and contrasting woods, there's no such trend for set-through guitars. Usually, it's hard to determine if the guitar has set-through neck or neck-through body judging only the general outlook. B.C. Rich's Invisibolt Technology is one notable exception that uses black ("shadow") body and contrasting light neck wood. A second example would be Toone Guitars' deliberate emphasis of the neck joint as an aesthetic choice, in particular the exposed asymmetrical sliding dovetail joint.
== References ==
<references/> * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060805120844/http://mcnaughtguitars.com/index15.htm Explanation of "Set-Thru" Neck] at David Thomas McNaught Guitars. * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070708151852/http://www.edromanguitars.com/newsite/techarticles/neckconstruction.htm Guitar Neck Construction] at Ed Roman Guitars. * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070114180521/http://www.edromanguitars.com/newsite/techarticles/neck_tenon.htm Deep Set Neck Tenon] construction details and photos at Ed Roman Guitars. * [http://www.tooneguitars.com/TOONEtigerwalnut2.html Neck-Into-Body Construction] detailed variations at Toone Guitars. {{Guitar necks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Set-Through Neck}} Category:Guitar neck joints