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Author Topic: Bolts VS. Screws  (Read 7436 times)

johnson

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Bolts VS. Screws
« on: January 19, 2015, 07:06:08 PM »
What are the differences in sound and tightness using bolts or the standard screws.

I see a lot of mix matches such as bolts in the bridge and screws in the neck.

I like the tightness of bolts in the bridge but why do a lot of guitarists prefer the screws in the neck instead of bolts? What are the benefits between the two? :huh:

Just curious to know the difference  :undecided:
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AnnunakiMassacr

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Re: Bolts VS. Screws
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2015, 09:25:07 PM »
TBH, I can't tell the difference. I just get whichever ones I think will look cooler at the time.
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littleredguitars2

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Re: Bolts VS. Screws
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2015, 10:34:03 PM »
i really really doubt there is any noticeable difference between the two.
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Dave Sloven

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Re: Bolts VS. Screws
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2015, 10:45:04 PM »
Some people say that bolt give more bass.

Not sure if they mean when wound up or down flat.  Wound up I'd believe there's a difference, although it would be slight.  Wound down I'd say no difference besides looks.

Personally I'm looking to replace a full set of 24 black bolts with nickel screws. Looks being the main reason
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Alex

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Re: Bolts VS. Screws
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2015, 08:49:05 PM »
TBH, I can't tell the difference. I just get whichever ones I think will look cooler at the time.

Me too, I got my Juggernaut with the hex screws. They are kind of the same size as the screws so I doubt there's a real difference.
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King IzzO)))

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Re: Bolts VS. Screws
« Reply #5 on: January 20, 2015, 11:19:53 PM »
This forum needs more people who have experimented more, because it does make a difference. Not much of a change in some instances, but enough that it needs to not be totally discounted.

This is all in relation to normal sized slotted filisters.

Bolts like those used on the Invader add some low end and add some thump to the pick attack. They can make a pickup tubby/thuddy in the wrong application. Unless you're going for that I wouldn't put an Invade in an LP. You can swap them for slugs or Dimarzio type set screws to tighten things up and reduce the thump.

Slugs and slug sized set screws like those used by Dimarzio in the SuperD, Super3, Evo, etc. will have more power, more midrange, and more focus than screws, less low end due to their overall length.

Hex screws, like those used by Dimarzio and BK, (and by Duncan in the Full Shred and Demon) have a sharper, more focused pick attack and generally have less low end, but that can again be attributed to the ovarall length of the screws used.

Generally, the shorter the pole piece, the less low end you will have. BK uses slotted filisters that are already much shorter than most other manufacturers, including the hex screws used by Dimarzio. So most BK, even with slotted screws, will be less bassy than nearly anything else out there, regardless of the wind. The hex screws BK uses are the same length in the newer pickups I have, but an older A-Pig I had used longer hexes that also had slightly larger diameter heads than what they are using now. This material change could be part of the supposed difference some claim between older and newer BK.

The Hex screws Duncan uses in the FS and SD are shorter still, thus how the Full Shred and Custom5 can sound like two completely different pickups but both use the exact same wind.

johnson

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Re: Bolts VS. Screws
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2015, 08:24:08 PM »
Right i know there is an obvious difference in sound in the pickups ive tried throughout my lifetime. I feel the hex's will be more focused since the magnetic field is justified by what emits the signal. Maybe im crazy :shocked: but ive always heard a more panoramic quality to the screws vs hex's which when they are close enough to the strings (BKP or any other) have more pick attack assuming why i see some using  hex's in the bridge and screws in the neck. I think i like the sound of the Hex all the way around but i wanted to make sure it wasn't my insanity telling me stories again haha! :grin: All i have is my ear and i know i hear a difference. Very slight,  but so is the difference between A440hz and true A432hz :cool:
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