Inlayed vs Not neck plate?

[Figjam]

Is it true that the new sterlings (probably stingrays too) ie: ~2000+ have neck plates that arent inlayed, and are just bolted on on top of the body?

[element]

Mine isnt inlaid on my 'ray

[Figjam]

hmm that stinks, surprised i havent found more people talk about this. On my sterling , it adds a touch of quality, but i guess the one extra step less saves money.

[jongitarz]

Sterling has posted about this. It is a mfg nightmare. Do a search and I'm sure you can find the facts from the man himself.

[Figjam]

Im confused, nightmare? :<

I attempted a search for myriad phrases but couldnt find it.

[element]

Probably to cut the space for it and to make it sit properly etc...

[Figjam]

Oh i gotcha. Yeah it makes sense, well im glad mine has it i guess, tahts all i can say, heh.

[Big Poppa]

Figman
Please just search big poppas from the members list posts and it is easily explained. I am biting my toungue when you accuse us of cost cutting many many years ago. If you read the post and still have an issue regarding the neck plate being recessed, than I offer sincere apologies.

P.S. which of your favorite bolt on's have a recessed neck plate?
\

happy 4th bp

[Figjam]

nonono im not really accusing you of cutting costs if the reason is that it was a pain in the rear, i read in a different place that that was the initiative (it wasnt from an EBMM rep, it was a random guys opinion) so i guess i was seeing if that was truely the case.

My favorite bolt on is the sterling

[Big Poppa]

thanks, fig and have a blast tommorow.....make me jealous and and have a slice of real
NY pie!

[jongitarz]

Here is BP's post..Enjoy, and have a great 4th


I love the recessed neck plate as an owner but as a manufacturer it is a recipe for disaster. The issues involved are a little in the manufacturing and a lot in the field.

When laquer was legal we could finish a guitar with a very thin "build" as environmental regulations escalated the finishes got thicker making it harder to get the exact pocket. The other problem is in buffing....anytime you run up against a sharp corner ;you have a very high risk of buff through. We could live with that What we couldn't live with is the customer or tech that took the instrument apart and overtightening the neck causing finish cracks that would be blamed on us.

oh well

[Figjam]

Thanks jon and big poppa, i intend on spending tomorrow out in the woods tomorow actually (i dont live in NYC, rather 1.5 hours north in the burbs) . Illprobably be picking blueberries to make into a pie.