When did inset neck plate stop - and why?

[kestrou]

My early Morses - up to and including my one from 1998 - have the neck plate inset into the body, but ones from the mid-2000s on do not.

Is this true across all models? Plus when and why did it stop?

I like the neck plate inset - just feels smoother when going to the higher frets...

Kevin

 

[sanderhermans]

same with sterling basses. some say they stoped doing it because of issues with the finish cracking around the neck plate.

 

[banjoplayer]

I believe the reason was about production - it´s easier to make when the plate is just bolt on and not recessed.
The correct date can surely be found here by searching. I´m sure I´ve read before. I think end of 90s is a good guess.
Yes I think it was across all models. Had a ´93 silo and still have my ´94 Al and both have recessed neck plates

Didn´t the tremolo back plates used to be recessed too?

 

[mikeller]

I read it had nothing to do with production or cost and had only to do with cracking. If I recall correctly the recessed neck plate made it easier to over tighten the neck.

As far as time - not 100%. I had a 1998 Silo that was recessed, and a 2001 that isn't so it was somewhere in that time frame.

 

[DrKev]

This question comes up all the time. This is what BP said back in 2004 or 2005.

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

 

[kestrou]

This question comes up all the time. This is what BP said back in 2004 or 2005.

Thanks, Doc, for the info there - makes perfect sense to me!

Kevin

 

[orion_21]

My old JP had recessed control covers. I always though that was more sexy than the plastic plates just bolted to the back of the body

 

[banjoplayer]

thanks for clearing up, Dr. Kev

 

[straycat113]

Well better to find a solution to something cool but trivial that would cause a lot of heartbreak to a new owner.