Guitar Mythbuster: Removing the back plate of a strat can improve sound

[maxi_musikero]

I know it's fun to gang up and make fun of a particular person first, but think about the notion of a real 10-20% improvement... is that much sensitivity in a guitar really a good thing?

it is fun, especially if the person deserves it. 

If the mere presence of an attached backplate can have such a signficant effect, it is an implication that anything else sticking to the body will badly muffle resonance -- particularly one of your hands on the neck with the other on top of the bridge, and your boobs, tummy or crotch  behind the guitar. What more if you have a big fat gut? That means, if you want maximum resonance, you have to leave the guitar in a hanger or stand and strum from there, without fretting anything, if possible and admire from a distance. WTF is the point in that, aside from earning hollow bragging points?

so a strat with a backplate is only 80-90% resonating. imagine what a tummy (fat or ripped) can take away from it.

[firemodel55]

I know it's fun to gang up and make fun of a particular person first, but think about the notion of a real 10-20% improvement... is that much sensitivity in a guitar really a good thing?

If the mere presence of an attached backplate can have such a signficant effect, it is an implication that anything else sticking to the body will badly muffle resonance -- particularly one of your hands on the neck with the other on top of the bridge, and your boobs, tummy or crotch  behind the guitar. What more if you have a big fat gut? That means, if you want maximum resonance, you have to leave the guitar in a hanger or stand and strum from there, without fretting anything, if possible and admire from a distance. WTF is the point in that, aside from earning hollow bragging points?

It does. Thats why I am trying to lose weight too.  Can't explain it.  No hollow bragging points here...  By the way, I never claimed that it changes the guitar's timbre.

[firemodel55]

No, no, its the other way around - the resonance actually BURNS the fat and excess calories - making it a great alternative to diet and regular workouts.

Sorry mods OT, I can't help it. 

Carry on.

MODs:  I call this uncalled for.  Please give it out a warning.  Thanks.

[firemodel55]

it is fun, especially if the person deserves it. 

so a strat with a backplate is only 80-90% resonating. imagine what a tummy (fat or ripped) can take away from it.

MODs:  I call this uncalled for.  Please give it out a warning.  Thanks.

[tongski_02]

nancy and maxi!!!!!
makuha kayo sa tingen.

tignan nyong mabute ang mga mata ni Bon Jovi....we are half way there

[maxi_musikero]

MODs:  I call this uncalled for.  Please give it out a warning.  Thanks.

care to explain why?

[ryechua]

tingin ko mas ok ang walang backplate kasi pang naggigitara ako, yung belly fat ko is in direct contact with the trem springs. tickles me a little and it makes me happy 

arj.. di ba mas ok nga yun? when you're happy, you play better. your state of mind is at peace and brings out creativity. then you make good music. he he

[nancy brew]

tingin ko mas ok ang walang backplate kasi pang naggigitara ako, yung belly fat ko is in direct contact with the trem springs. tickles me a little and it makes me happy 

Now, this one was what i was referring to.

Oh you naughty spring, you.

[free2rock]

Kayo talagaaaa...

[mikebled]

I think the difference would be minimal whether you remove it or not. Especially if your guitar doesn't have it. 

[free2rock]

I think the difference would be minimal whether you remove it or not. Especially if your guitar doesn't have it. 

So if your guitar doesn't have it, leave the backplate on

[arkeetar]

Kaya wag n'yo muna intindihin yung backplate

Check muna kung...
'meron' yung gitara natin 

Dating kasi nun poser haha

[mikebled]

Pagandahin na lang natin yung backplate natin. Lagyan ng mga sticker o drawing-an natin.hehe 

[tongski_02]

hep hep hep!!
teka muna
improvement in response will only happen if your guitar has "it"
wag aasa

uulitin ko lang

[arkeetar]

Dito sa Philmusic, paano mo malalaman kung credible sinasabi ng member?

Sa gear, sa skills, o sa backplate? Haha

Kagagaling lang mag post, ang lalalim ng sinasabi, daming alam...

Pero pag ano....

Ano na... Pweh!

Away na! Ahahaha

 

[maxi_musikero]

Sa gear, sa skills, o sa backplate? Haha

siyempre sa backplate. ano pang silbi ng gear at skills mo if your guitar does not have "it"?

[free2rock]

May naisip akong idea. Pano kung tanggalin narin pati yung neck plate? Ilang percent kaya idadagdag sa improvement ng tone mo? Kasi kahit wala yung gitara mo, siguro naman aabot din sa "meron" pag na-quantify mo yung dami ng tinanggal mo? Hmmm... I might be on to something...

[arkeetar]

siyempre sa backplate. ano pang silbi ng gear at skills mo if your guitar does not have "it"?

Kaya dapat dito na tayo magfocus 

Pagandahin na lang natin yung backplate natin. Lagyan ng mga sticker o drawing-an natin.hehe 

Buset na backplate na yan big deal haha

Ibalik na nga lang ulit sa cables usapan mas nakakatuwa pa haha

O kaya:

Anu silbi ng switchtip sa tone? 

[randymarsh]

arj.. di ba mas ok nga yun? when you're happy, you play better. your state of mind is at peace and brings out creativity. then you make good music. he he

yeah rye. actually i would like to feel the guitar's vibration on my chest and on my hand. to me that's a good measurement kung maganda yung gitara.

[tongski_02]

basta ako naniniwala ako na ang kagandahan ng tone is:

10% = gear
10% = musician
80% = puso

kaya mahalaga ang puso...alisin mo na ang backplate or kung ano man...pero wag na wag mong aalisin ang puso....

"dahil saging lang ang may puso!!! saging lang ang may puso!!"

[IncX]

the level of grown men believing in weird things here is ... well ... its

[obetski]

I will change the statement on the title:

"Removing the backplate of a guitar can change the sound"

I have 2 main guitars., a 1996 PRS custom 24 and a pre samick Valley Arts Custom Pro 1991

I removed the backplate of the PRS and the sound changes from very rock dark sounding to a little twangy (as tongski said hendrix sounding).. I like it that way.. this guitar didnt lose the rock character cos it can still rock your ass off anytime

at the same time, my guitar tech removed the backplate of my Valley Arts.. but i felt the middle frequency is not enough,, I put the backplate back on, and I hear a more balanced EQ.. easier to switch to different genre, more control..

how many percent?? i dont know

scientific explanation?? i dont know

but i confirm that there is a difference.. whether it is for good or for bad.. YOU the player will decide

here are they: (photo taken 5 minutes before i posted this)

[r_chino18]

Yung gitara ni EVH walang backplate pero panget tunog niya para sakin. Siguro dahil wala rin talagang K yung frankenstrat niya.

[Kulas]

oks na siguro no? i think we therefore conclude na hindi natin alam kung meron o walang effect.

the end.

konting nonsense na lang then lock na siguro natin 'tong thread.

[Poundcake]

Peewee, pag nagiging extension na ng GC Mini Blog thread, locked na yun.

Thread locked.