Question Why are the Petrucci backplates no longer recessed?

[dannymusic]

I never use the backplate. i left it bare open. Easier to clean & change strings. & it changes the tone. (Sounds familiar, where have i heard it from? haha)

wivestales derived at the cork-sniffing forums. call in the MYTHBUSTERS

 

[Warg Master]

+1. I Have A Pre-dsonic, Pre-compensated Nut Jp6 And The Trem Plate Is Not Recessed.

+1

 

[guertzi]

I didn't know that the new JP guitars had non-recessed control and piezo switch covers. While I think the thinner metal covers are a definate + , after seeing the pics of both, I perfer the recessed ones that are on my older models even if they are plastic.

+1

I don't see them as an upgrade, it's a means for reducing production costs in my opinion.

It is an entrepreneurial decision and therefore has to be accepted.

But from a customers point of view, I can only stress that I prefer the looks and the 'feel' of the recessed ones, mo matter if they are made from plastic or metal. To me, these are the details in craftmanship that set superior guitars apart from mediocrity.

Sorry to say that, but to my eyes, non recessed cover plates look a bit cheap

Just my 2c

 

[Lou]

+1

I don't see them as an upgrade, it's a means for reducing production costs in my opinion.

It is an entrepreneurial decision and therefore has to be accepted.

But from a customers point of view, I can only stress that I prefer the looks and the 'feel' of the recessed ones, mo matter if they are made from plastic or metal. To me, these are the details in craftmanship that set superior guitars apart from mediocrity.

Sorry to say that, but to my eyes, non recessed cover plates look a bit cheap

Just my 2c

+1

It's definitely a cost/time saver. Recessed plates have an overall better finished look to them and are definitely an attention to detail kinda thing. I was surprised to see it on the guitars.

 

[guertzi]

Oh, BTW:

are the cover plates on the BFR's non-recessed as well now?

 

[Bierschinken]

Sorry to say that, but to my eyes, non recessed cover plates look a bit cheap

+1

I like the recessed ones better.
Would be cool if EBMM uses recessed covers again, but this time made of metal like the new ones. That would be a real upgrade

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Oh, BTW:

are the cover plates on the BFR's non-recessed as well now?

If I remember correctly the BFR plates have had metal, non-recessed plates from "day 1"

 

[Dargin]

You remember correctly Mr Dubaldo.

 

[phatduckk]

huh. i've never even bothered looking at the backplates on my PJs. I dont even think i've touched em.

ill go take a look now

 

[guertzi]

Please correct me if I'm wrong:

So all EBMMs do not have recessed backplates anymore?

Except for cost reduction on the production side, I do not really see a benefit in that for me as a customer.
Or am I missing something here?

 

[DaPatrooch]

Well, now that I look at it, the new ones are really cool. They are EXTREMELY thin. Still wish they were recessed, but whatever. I frickin love the guitar! Having one JP makes you want more JPs in different colors. There are so many EBMMs I want.

 

[Octavarius]

Please correct me if I'm wrong:

So all EBMMs do not have recessed backplates anymore?

Except for cost reduction on the production side, I do not really see a benefit in that for me as a customer.
Or am I missing something here?

Well, they're made of metal, which makes them a lot more sturdier and durable. Plus, the tremolo cover is much much thinner. They also look cooler.

 

[guertzi]

Well, they're made of metal, which makes them a lot more sturdier and durable. Plus, the tremolo cover is much much thinner. They also look cooler.

I never had a problem with backplates breaking, the plastic ones seemed to be sturdy enough. You'll find the backplates on 50+ year old guitars still being in good shape.

Maybe it's because they're recessed ;-)

And I think they would look REALLY cool, if they were... well, you know what!

I just think it's inadequate to simply mount the backplates on the surface of the back of the guitar, especially considering the price tag of 3000+ Euros for a BFR here in Germany.

Who knows: someday the battery compartment might be gone, instead the battery could be velcroed to the side of the body. Could be an upgrade for the better, you will be able to change it in no time and there will be no routing needed anymore. Saves cost and time...

Ahh, so what, I just don't like them (I guess you figured that out).
Don't get me wrong: I still think they make KILLER instruments at EBMM but not every upgrade is for the better, let's just face it.

 

[D.K.]

I never had a problem with backplates breaking, the plastic ones seemed to be sturdy enough. You'll find the backplates on 50+ year old guitars still being in good shape.

Maybe it's because they're recessed ;-)

And I think they would look REALLY cool, if they were... well, you know what!

I just think it's inadequate to simply mount the backplates on the surface of the back of the guitar, especially considering the price tag of 3000+ Euros for a BFR here in Germany.

Who knows: someday the battery compartment might be gone, instead the battery could be velcroed to the side of the body. Could be an upgrade for the better, you will be able to change it in no time and there will be no routing needed anymore. Saves cost and time...

Ahh, so what, I just don't like them (I guess you figured that out).
Don't get me wrong: I still think they make KILLER instruments at EBMM but not every upgrade is for the better, let's just face it.

You mean not every upgrade is an upgrade - sometimes they are downgrades ...

As for me, I also dig the recessed plates MUCH more. The non-recessed backplates are one of the reasons I have none of them tremolo cover-plates currently installed on both of my Pets.

That was the one and only advantage that my old Ibanez Jem had over the Pet. (However, other than this pets win all the way).

 

[andynpeters]

Suppose it's for the same reason they no longer recess the neckplates....economics.

 

[SteveB]

Personally, I think you're all nuts, quibbling over a friggin' backplate!
Just my two cents..

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Suppose it's for the same reason they no longer recess the neckplates....economics.

Overzealous tightening of the bolts on the neckplate by techs who didn't know any better caused lots of cracks in that area, causing customers to cry "warranty"

Personally, I think you're all nuts, quibbling over a friggin' backplate!
Just my two cents..

Yep!

 

[andynpeters]

Overzealous tightening of the bolts on the neckplate by techs who didn't know any better caused lots of cracks in that area, causing customers to cry "warranty"

Ah.....fortunately my SS has never needed the tender attentions of such people

 

[guertzi]

Personally, I think you're all nuts, quibbling over a friggin' backplate!
Just my two cents..

Might seem strange, admittedly.

But like I stated earlier, it's one of those details that in my opinion sets superior guitars apart from mediocre ones.

You see, for me one thing always leads to another: today it's a backplate, tomorrow it might be another detail, maybe a plastic housing for the cable plug instead of a metal one, or the headstock will only be finished optionally and otherwise be oiled and waxed like the rest of the neck?

This is why I started quibbling about it, not only because I'm nuts

 

[DaPatrooch]

I never really meant for the thread to go on this long. It was off the page and someone "revived" it haha. Now that I think about it, it does seem a bit strange to argue about this.

Btw, I never really cared about the non-recessed neck plate. It doesn't really matter as long as the joint is sculpted, which is another thing I love about the guitar.