Right after this i traveled in time back in year 1982, where i was a skinny, long haired pizza-face with my first real Fender from year -81. That thing had the back plate you mentioned. And because i used tremolo in 2 ways (in those innocent times of punk and new wave tuning wasn't such exact science as it is today ), i had to block the tremolo by stucking one hand under tremolo arm to line holes even in the same country and use more moves - which i believe are more commonly in use in rhytmic gymnastics - to slide the string in. I think the easiest moves were later used in the movie Karate kid (remember, when that brat stood on a barrel and played storch on one leg? ).

However, and this may be different for different people, i believe that the other end of the guitar takes way more time in changing string. That was the point, even though my poor skills in english language may have coloured the original idea.

_________________
SRV should really be sold under "drums, hammers and explosives" cathegory

I never had that problem with my strat but did it with my kelly once. I think you can still see the scars.

_________________
TOO MANY GUITARS, TOO LITTLE TIME!

Current Stable:
Fender Stratocaster MIM 07
Squire II Stratocaster MIK 89?
ESP LTD MH-100QM
Jackson KE3 Kelly MIJ