Strat without backplate & cool spring sounds

Frans-B--Cocq

Anyone tried this? I found this out by accident, as the aftermarket trem on my Strat is too large, so I can't fit the backplate on. Apparently the springs resonate too, and I think it sounds way nice, almost like spring reverb (no pun intended)! Or wait, I don't like reverb... well, I guess it's better. It's not too audible with distortion, but on clean and especially unplugged, it rocks. Me likes!

Now I lean back and wait for the "that's an old trick" assault.

Gearhead

I don't see that having to do anything with the missing back plate. Personally I hate it when the springs make any noise and have some cures if you're interested (but you're not) ?

AlanRatcliffe

I like the extra "sproing" from trem springs - that's why my Strat has a trem, even though I don't use them. It does affect the tone of the guitar a bit - especially if your pickups have a bit of microphonic life to them (or you have a piezo bridge). I've even been known to tune them by adjusting the tension (currently tuned to B). Difficult to tune them though - many have little to no tuning range and sometimes you have to tame the resonance a bit or completely if it's a dissonant resonance (I put surgical tubing inside the springs to dampen them).

Yes the resonance is louder (unplugged or at real low volumes) without a backplate, but doesn't really affect the electric signal. I used to have all five springs fitted to my bridges, but the resonance is a bit strong with all five, so the last couple of years I've used only three.