Neck Cushion/Insert Removal

[Dallas Marlow]

Hey Guys,

I know some of you all will think this is snake oil/voodoo or something, I'm just curious as to how many others remove the neck insert/cushion between the neck plate and the body of their guitars, I've noticed quite a few manufactures do this these days to prevent cracking/chipping of the finish I guess?

I've taken them off both of my guitars that came with them and was wondering who else does this?

I know even the Suhr Scott Henderson model comes with out the neck cushion to begin with, but I swear it does change the sound of the guitar!

Tell me I'm not crazy? haha

Dallas

 

[Scuba200ft]

You're crazy......

Hey Dallas.

 

[Dallas Marlow]

Hey Shawn,

Hahaha thanks man!!! Guitar is kickin man, I haven't had time to post up pics yet... I was just curious as to what others were thinkin!!!

Dallas

 

[fek]

I have a tech who swears by this. He took the black thing off of my SoCal when he set it up. I didn't A/B the before and after but the guitar sounds good and rings well acoustically. IDK.

 

[Dallas Marlow]

I have a tech who swears by this. He took the black thing off of my SoCal when he set it up. I didn't A/B the before and after but the guitar sounds good and rings well acoustically. IDK.

Yea man, I swear it has more punch/resonance and a more natural sound with out that damn little piece of plastic.

 

[Digital Jams]

Take that shit off, you are damping the energy transfer from the neck to the body.

 

[Dallas Marlow]

Take that shit off, you are damping the energy transfer from the neck to the body.

Haha no were talking my language!!! I did!!!

 

[tweed]

Take that shit off, you are damping the energy transfer from the neck to the body.

+1,000,000

 

[Dallas Marlow]

Take that shit off, you are damping the energy transfer from the neck to the body.

+1,000,000

At least I don't feel like I'm crazy anymore, I swear I noticed a pretty significant difference in the way the guitar sounds.

 

[Ancient Alien]

Come on
First off, the plastic plate is there simply to prevent cracking or putting an imprint on the paint under the plate.
It also makes the tension on the neck screws actually tighter due to the slight compression of that plastic piece.
The neck to body contact occurs in the NECK POCKET, not on the back of the guitar.
And you will notice on better made guitars like Suhr, Anderson etc, if you take the neck screws out, you have to yank the living hell out of the neck to get it off.
Better guitars have a super snug fit, which is what transfers the vibrations from the neck into the body.
That is exactly the same thing as if you were to remove the washers from the volume and tone pots and just use the nuts.
You think that will make a difference too
So, I would have to say, and I'd bet my life on it that it is complete and utter bullshit.

 

[Ancient Alien]

read the description....
http://www.greasygroove.com/proddetail. ... P-P-P-P-MI

 

[Dallas Marlow]

Come on
First off, the plastic plate is there simply to prevent cracking or putting an imprint on the paint under the plate.
It also makes the tension on the neck screws actually tighter due to the slight compression of that plastic piece.
The neck to body contact occurs in the NECK POCKET, not on the back of the guitar.
And you will notice on better made guitars like Suhr, Anderson etc, if you take the neck screws out, you have to yank the living hell out of the neck to get it off.
Better guitars have a super snug fit, which is what transfers the vibrations from the neck into the body.
That is exactly the same thing as if you were to remove the washers from the volume and tone pots and just use the nuts.
You think that will make a difference too
So, I would have to say, and I'd bet my life on it that it is complete and utter bullshit.

I'm telling you man, it makes a difference, I'm not THAT mental!!!

I don't see how it would increase the compression, to me it wouldn't be quite as much because you do have the cushion there.

I can't be completely wack, I've talked to a few people who don't like them either and check this out.

http://www.suhrguitars.com/artistModels/sh.aspx

removing the paint on the block of the Fender 6-screw trem and not having the plastic insert underneath the neck plate for a livelier and punchier tone

I really do think it changes the attack of the instrument, or at least it seems to to me... maybe it's all in my head, I wouldn't put it past, I guess I just don't like having any plastic on my guitars that isn't necessary you know?

 

[fek]

My tech also takes off the neck (on the bolt ones anyway) and removes any stickers and fills any holes (very common on Fenders/Charvels). He also tightens up everything, removes some pieces from the Floyd if it has one, and takes off the bar behind the locking nut. He tells me "you don't need it". I put the bar back on after a few months but might take it back off. It's so much easier to change strings with it off.

My SoCal sounded great before but did seem to have something extra after his work. Again, IDK. The difference could have just been the pro setup.

 

[Code001]

My tech also takes off the neck (on the bolt ones anyway) and removes any stickers and fills any holes (very common on Fenders/Charvels). He also tightens up everything, removes some pieces from the Floyd if it has one, and takes off the bar behind the locking nut. He tells me "you don't need it". I put the bar back on after a few months but might take it back off. It's so much easier to change strings with it off.

My SoCal sounded great before but did seem to have something extra after his work. Again, IDK. The difference could have just been the pro setup.

If the headstock has no angle, having a string retainer bar is helpful. It prevents the strings from going extremely sharp when you lock down the nut. Angled headstocks generally don't need them. About the only other thing I could think of that could be successfully removed from a floyd would be a small spacer between the block and the baseplate, but I don't really see the point in removing it.

 

[Ayrton]

It would concern me that a tech would remove a string retainer from any locking trem. The bar is there to keep the strings at the correct break over the nut. In fact if your strings go sharp when you tighten the pads, it is a good sign you bar is not low enough.