Neck plate

The metal or plastic plate on the back of the body through which the neck screws pass, spreading their load across the joint.

It exists because four screws bearing directly on a finished body would crush the timber and crack the finish, particularly if the neck is repeatedly removed. The plate also carries the serial number and, on some designs, is a structural part of the tonal recipe because its mass and stiffness affect the joint. Steel, brass and titanium versions exist, with claims about sustain that are modest but occasionally audible.

Example: omitting the plate and driving the screws straight into a finished body is a reliable way to crack the lacquer around the heel.

Neck plate

See also