3 bolts vs 4 bolts

OLAF MELCHER · June 28th, 2006, 02:28 AM

Hi guys,

I set up a couple of Teles and I would like now to assemble a 72 Thinline. However, I have never used the 3 bolt neck fixing system and I am worried that it might be too weak compared to the traditionnal 4 bolt system. The more as Fender has returned to the latter.

For this reason, I am even considering to modify the neck pocket of my Thinline body (filling the existing holes and drilling new ones) in order to adapt it to the 4 bolt system.

I would higly appreciate your input !

Olaf

Stubbs · June 28th, 2006, 03:41 AM

You could convert it to a four bolt, but it is probably unnecesary. My bass, a 1985 G&L SB-1, has a three bolt neck plate. 20+ years of no problems.

eddiewagner · June 28th, 2006, 04:41 AM

i had a strat with 3 bolts and the thing was not a secure in place as a 4 bolt neck. you could twist it around in the "wide" pocket. on the other hand it never made a problem. it was more of a mental-thing....

hegn · June 28th, 2006, 05:13 PM

3-bolts are just as stable as 4-bolts...it's an old stupid myth that 3-bolts are inferior!!!

The problem with some seventies Fenders are that the neck pocket is too wide, if the neck pocket is tooo wide the nack can move around and it will do so regardsless of the number of bolts it is attached with...
So if you've got a tight fitting neck pocket 3 bolts will do jist fine!

June 28th, 2006, 02:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
OLAF MELCHER TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Western France Age: 47 Posts: 61	3 bolts vs 4 bolts Hi guys, I set up a couple of Teles and I would like now to assemble a 72 Thinline. However, I have never used the 3 bolt neck fixing system and I am worried that it might be too weak compared to the traditionnal 4 bolt system. The more as Fender has returned to the latter. For this reason, I am even considering to modify the neck pocket of my Thinline body (filling the existing holes and drilling new ones) in order to adapt it to the 4 bolt system. I would higly appreciate your input ! Olaf __________________ jazzjoker

June 28th, 2006, 03:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
Stubbs Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 207	3 bolt strong enough You could convert it to a four bolt, but it is probably unnecesary. My bass, a 1985 G&L SB-1, has a three bolt neck plate. 20+ years of no problems.

June 28th, 2006, 04:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
eddiewagner Friend of Leo's Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ROCK!linghausen/germany Age: 49 Posts: 3,967 27 Photos	i had a strat with 3 bolts and the thing was not a secure in place as a 4 bolt neck. you could twist it around in the "wide" pocket. on the other hand it never made a problem. it was more of a mental-thing.... __________________ My Drum/Guitar-Duo: www.myspace.com/captaintwangandhisrhythmcat

June 28th, 2006, 05:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
hegn Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 162 1 Photos	3-bolts are just as stable as 4-bolts...it's an old stupid myth that 3-bolts are inferior!!! The problem with some seventies Fenders are that the neck pocket is too wide, if the neck pocket is tooo wide the nack can move around and it will do so regardsless of the number of bolts it is attached with... So if you've got a tight fitting neck pocket 3 bolts will do jist fine!