Yeah, but what specifically makes the top plate junky to you?
The Callaham one I got actually had a little crack where the edge of the bent part tapers into the flat part, nearest the whammy bar hole. I was kind of turned off by that and then when I went to assemble it I noticed that it didn't dive as far as the stocker (probably due to where the block is spaced in relation to the top plate) so I just used the fender top plate like my other highway one. Not knockin Callaham, he makes nice stuff, just opted for the stock plate and never gave it much thought after that...
I actually got curious after you said that and looked and can't find any info on whether the fender plate is of any higher or lower quality material than the Calliham part... He says his is high carbon steel but I imagine any top plate would have to be made of pretty durable stuff to put up with standard whammy bar abuse...
Anyway, just wondering what it is you don't like about it.

that neck.....
whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

that neck.....
whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Yeahhh, I love my new am spec hss but I got to admit I really envy that neck.

When I went to the store to check the guitar out, when I first saw it, I noticed some lines in the finish, but then I saw the neck, tried the guitar, and knew I had to have it!! Best neck I have seen (and played)! When the sales guy came over, I pointed out the finish flaws, and he offered to order me another one. I said "no, I kinda like the neck, so can you give me a discount?" He took 5% off.

You're so mean, why would you tell me that?
Like, you get the most beautiful neck ever and 5% off. Whyyyy has that never happend to me?

Ha! It almost didn't happen to me! I was going to wait till President's day weekend, to see if there was a coupon I could use. Not sure if the guitar would have been gone, but odds are, it would have!

Haha, I bet you're glad you didn't wait then.

Yup, glad I got it when I did. Of course, the GC guitar manager gave me the wrong packet of accessories, with allen wrenches sized for a Fender Bass. Still psyched about the guitar though. The neck looks even nicer after a cleaning and polishing! I'll take a photo of the fingerboard after I put in the Callaham trem that arrived yesterday!

Also, I bought a set of the Fender Deluxe Locking tuners. Problem is the posts don't seem long enough, and they only stick out about a quarter of an inch, compared to the stock tuner's half inch. WTF?

Actually, it could be that the Deluxe Locking tuners are staggered, and the first one I tried was one of the short ones? I'll have to re-visit this weekend.