what does taking off the little white square do to the guitar?

Removing the tremelo cover makes it faster/easier to change strings. Thats about it.

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

also makes you look big and clever.

my strat has the string cutaway, so taking off the backplate only makes it easier to play with the trem claw, or change strings if for some reason I have them all off. (which only happens when I do a full set up--twice a year, temperature/humidity between the seasons is pretty pronounced here, so i get at it 2 times a year,)

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

It opens a dam for many posts on guitar forums. Specifically, someone declares there is an audible difference with the plate being on or off; someone else immediately countermands that post and so on and so on.

The TRUTH is, it gives you easier access to what's underneath it, PERIOD.

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You dig?

The TRUTH is, it gives you easier access to what's underneath it, PERIOD.[/quote]

Yep, That's all it does.

Oh but if you are the heavyweight champion of the world, or a rodeo enthusiast , or play nude, with a long strap, I would say leave it on, so you avoid some unpleasant snags!!

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Point well taken!!

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You dig?

I haven't heard anyone admit to getting snagged in that way!

Leaving off the cover makes the guitar lighter, which seems to be a positive to many people.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Some people will remove the cover to insert small rubber tubes in the tremolo springs to remove all unwanted ringing noise, some will wrap the springs with a soft cloth and put back the cover to achieve the same effect. But again you have to try it for yourself because all these mods will generate little or very subjective results.
Claude.

It means you guitar is nude with its cavity is show for all to see.

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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

or... you could route another hole in the back for a "hands-free" B-bender.

Eric Johnson swears there is a tonal difference when the backplate is removed, but then again EJ can hear a butterfly fart, and tell what key it was in!
I leave 'em on mainly to prevent dust, dirt and grime buildup. But I am uber-fussy when it comes to the cleanliness of my Strats.
My SG is usually a mess.

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I grew up in the "Dark Ages" of gear, when a '63 Strat was just an old guitar!

it gives you the immortal power to become a a rock god

It also allows access to the springs for effects you can make. This is yet another thing contrived by Eddie Van Halen. He actually does it quite a bit.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...