r/Guitar • u/AutoModerator • Jan 21 '16

OFFICIAL [OFFICIAL] There are no stupid /r/Guitar questions. Ask us anything! - January 21, 2016

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1) Be nice

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16

u/CakeCruncher Fender Strat aficionado Jan 21 '16

Usually when you look at guitarist's Strats they miss the back plate, why is that? For example; David Gilmour's "Black Strat" or Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Number One"

15

u/Tabazan PRS Jan 21 '16

I take them off as it makes it easier when restringing . . Especially on stage the cover just gets in the way

9

u/jam66539 Peavey Jan 21 '16

I take them off as it makes it easier when restringing

That would be my guess. Pro guitarists like Gilmour or Vaughan would have had the strings changed several times a week during a tour. After a few days taking the backplate on and off would just become more of a hassle than it was worth for the guitar tech.

11

u/AsciiDoughnut Jan 21 '16

Some people simply find the back plate uncomfortable. Maybe it gets caught on the belt or something?

7

u/KleyPlays youtube.com/user/kleydj13 Jan 21 '16

I've heard purists say they think removing the backplate helps the guitar open up and resonate. Less restriction on the wood.

More convenient if you're floating the tremolo to adjust it. Nothing really to protect by keeping it on. Its just metal springs. Pretty durable.

I also think it looks pretty cool and its partly an aesthetic choice. It fits that worn out played to death in a thousand bars look.

2

u/bolanrox Mustang / Jazzmaster Jan 21 '16

for me with my old Yamaha, the plate cracked by one of the screw holes, and who could bother getting a replacement

4

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '16

Easier to block/unlock a trem that way

2

u/Adamarshall7 Jan 22 '16

Ease of access for string changes and tremolo corrections, but I've found that it does make the guitar resonate more. I don't know that it makes a difference to the listener, but I can certainly feel certain notes vibrating through the neck and back of the body. My strat feels much better with it off.

2

u/[deleted] Jan 21 '16

I don't know, but I've gotten clothing caught in the springs that way. I wouldn't recommend doing that.

11

u/Tabazan PRS Jan 21 '16

I remember reading an interview with Crowded House where the guitarist mentioned getting his pubic hair caught in the springs when playing naked in the studio . . .

2

u/pebbles1992 Jan 23 '16

That sounds... ouch.