Is there any harm in keeping the Tremelo Plate off the back of the strat?

I was putting new strings on my 56 CS Strat and had to take the plate off for the first time and decided to leave it off.

I also have an Eric Johnson strat and it's standard without the plate (in fact there aren't even any screw holes to put on a plate)

Would love to hear opinions on this.

Thanks.

Most of the people who leave it off do so because they say it makes it easier to change strings. I don't really get that, as the plate has generous holes for the strings. But ... to each their own. There is no harm with leaving it off if you want. It would make sense, though, if you like to add/remove springs or tweak the claw. I leave mine on ... it is white pearloid matching the pickguard that (IMO) looks very cool against the glossy black finish. And the only one who can actually hear the difference in the guitar between it being off or on is Eric Johnson (everybody else is just foolin' themself).

PS It is also useful to leave off for getting sound effects like EVH does. If you ever watch him live, he actually does it quite a bit.

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You really answered your own question,as the Eric Johnson comes without the plate or even screw holes for it-I did not know about the screw holes on that model.I would say about a third of players I see leave it off.I for one dont like the plate off and as far as the EJ model I think they should of at least offered the option.As far as him being able to tell if it is on or off I think that is pushing it,but I do believe he said it.

Hello Strat56browinie,

When I take mine off to do a complete set-up,
which is within hours of purchase it doesn't go back on.
I keep it in the guitar case with the screws taped to it
so I don't misplace it. Tuff to adjust the claw with it on.

Cheers.

Mine come off and stay off. They are put away and kept.

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

Off, on some. On, on others. Depends how bothered i can be.

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No no and no

guitar player the other night couldn't change his strings until he took it off. also found a couple of ball ends in side. i leave mine off, easier to change strings etc.

I take them off and leave them off

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Just watch you don't pinch your stomach in there if you use the wiggle stick.

All the cool guys leave them off.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

I leave them off if they sound better that way... I think EJ cops more flak than he deserves for the tremolo cover business. It's an enclosed space in the body of your guitar...of course it will sound different if you take the cover off. Not necessarily better or worse, but definitely different. Try the '56 both ways and see which sounds/feels best. I have a '66 CS that feels better with it off, and an ultra that feels better with it on.

I don't think it would have killed EJ to include a cover and screw holes, though.

It's a solid body instrument. I really doubt it will make a difference in the sound. EJ seems a little OCD with his "pure" tone. It's all in the ears of the beholder. He is tremendously talented but a bit off the wall. I mean I read his last interview in GP and his rig setup is just nuts. Everything has to be separate, always plugged into the same spot, one of his boxes has to be on top of a piece of wood or it won't sound right. It's crazy.

As far as a closed space goes, when the guitar leans on your body isn't it a closed space again?

I honestly never knew so many people kept their plates off.

Mine stays on, but then again I was never one who was comfortable with fooling around with the parts of my guitars.

Yes, it most certainly is... but it's not always going to be pressed against your body, especially if you're mostly sitting down (which I usually am, as I'm not a performer).

I'm not suggesting that the difference between plate off and on is one that could be picked listening to a recording or anything... like..."Mmmn, a nice, lively, backplate-off sound there, with just a hint of absence-of-paint under the bridge and, unless I'm very much mistaken, an NOS carbon/zinc battery in the distortion box"... just that in my opinion it's there and is one of the easiest things to check for yourself, so why not do it? If there's nothing in it either way, leaving the plate on or off for reasons of appearance or access is just as valid.

I imagine that a strat with pickguard removed and cavities exposed would sound a bit different, too. Not enough to warrant leaving the pickguard off, most likely.

I don't think keeping it off hurts anyting. Steve Vai actullay fills his trem cavity with cotton and tapes it off. http://www.vai.com/Machines/guitarpages ... meset.html

He says it cuts down the noise of the spings. Who knows if it really works. I personally can't tell a tone difference if it's on or off. I keep mine on strictly for looks.

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2005 Fender American Stratocaster W/Seymour Duncan Hot Rails in bridge and Seymour Duncan SSL-5 in neck.
1995 Fender American Standard Stratocaster
Line 6 Spider II 150 watt head W/Ampeg 4x12 Cab
Laney Pro-Linebacker PL65R