Neck plate fixing

[KevinUK]

Hi

I have two Axis Supersports one has the neck plate sunk flush into the body and the other a Rosewood axe has the neck plate surface mounted. Is this what one would expect, does it provide any age related information ?

thanks

 

[Stratty316]

EBMM sunk the neck plates on all guitars 1996-2000 ish..

 

[KevinUK]

Thank you Stratty that makes sense.

 

[Craiguitar]

Recessed neck plates rule!

 

[Red Four]

I agree, Craiguitar. Elegant, nice for the player, and very upscale-looking. I have one on my '95 Sterling bass, and surface-mounted plates now look primitive in comparison.

Someone in another thread suggested it might contribute to finish issues - presumably those thinner body ridges around the plate could be more prone to chipping - but mine is still in perfect shape after many hours of gigging.

 

[Stratty316]

I love the recessed neck plates, but it don't matter much to me overall. I hardly notice it on my HHAL or Green Axis...

 

[DrKev]

Someone in another thread suggested it might contribute to finish issues - presumably those thinner body ridges around the plate could be more prone to chipping

Pretty much. Over-tightening the screws caused finish cracks.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I Have two Axi that are like this. I always liked that design.

 

[KevinUK]

No issues at all with any finish blemish around the plate recess, my thoughts are that it must save production costs to surface mount the plate so as with all product development it was inevitable.

 

[t_rod]

That doesn't sound like something Musicman would do imo. I tend to believe there had to be a reason based on functionality.

 

[beej]

DrKev nailed it- many moons ago, BP mentioned that they stopped sinking the neck plate to prevent finish cracks.

Overzealous techs would over-tighten neck screws, leading to cracking.

 

[DrKev]

Overzealous techs would over-tighten neck screws, leading to cracking.

...and, presumably, people complaining to Music Man instead of their techs.

 

[beej]

Presumably

 

[Red Four]

Thanks for the background, guys!