I just read a comment on youtube that said if you remove the back plate on a strat, it increases gain and sustain. I doubt it's true, but I just figured I'd ask just in case. So, is it true?

I take it off all of my Strats for easier access.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

It is utter nonsense.

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You dig?

No, it's not true. Taking off the back plate does add in ease of access though.

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"You won't part with your's either"

Fender American Standard Stratocaster 2006

Fender Standard Telecaster 2007

It was Eric Johnson who said that, he can hear the difference but i believe he is the only one....

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It's a mix between Jazz and Funk, it's called "Junk"

I read it on a guitar improvement site. It is utter utter stupidity.
http://www.premierguitar.com/magazine/issue/2008/Aug/10_Easy_Strat_Mods_to_Improve_Primary_Tone.aspx

I only found 1,8,9&10 of the first tips affect tone when i tried em. 8&9 using mass to eliminate dead spots does work, but you need a shed load of mass on the headstock. A clamp like my fat finger doesnt work on its own. Use it to clamp a couple of heavy tremblocks up there and it does though. The author of this page has greatly exaggerated points 8&9's effects.

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No no and no

That's just stupid. Like Chet said, easier access for changing strings and making adjustments.

Stuff like this never ceases to amaze me. If a 'regular' person made such a statement about the back plate, this person would be immediately ridiculed, en masse. Yet, if a celebrity makes a totally preposterous statement like this, it automatically has a degree of credibility.

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You dig?

that guy may have a few decent ideas, but after reading this on his page i gotta chuckle...



"No great loss" ?!!!! One of the most useful, most used, and fantastic sounds in all of guitardom, the strat bridge/middle quack, and this guy says no big loss ! wow....i can't take him seriously after that ! i have added the bridge/neck option to my strats before, tho NOT at the cost of the bridge/middle. And while somewhat useful, it's not nearly as unique as the bridge/middle quack tone that is so revered by many.

Especialy when theres a better way to get that tele'esque tone without sacrificing the usuall strat settings by adding a blender pot. Although mr johnson probably thinks it ruins the tone of the guitar.

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No no and no

I wholeheartedly agree. That guy is also on the 'fringes'.

I use the lower tone pot on my Strats as a blender so I can add the Tele combo but I would never rewire any of my Strats where I'd have to sacrifice any of the great tones it already has.

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You dig?

I've done it that way too, tho also have done it with push/pull pots.

I doubted it would be true, just figured I'd check just to be sure...

Guys, I might be the only one with doubts but..... for example I always keep the back covers off my guitars for easier access at any moment....and in two different occasions after playing them like that for a long time ... I put the back cover back on one and actually felt it sounded different like there was something missing....... second time did it again on a different guitar.. I put the back cover on and started practicing with it and and It also felt different same sensation has that ever happened to you????

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson