Screw positions on pickup selector backplate

[chriswallace85]

I've been looking at a variety of Les Paul's recently, mainly historics and noticed there is quite a lot of variation in the screw positions on the the circle plate on the back of the guitar. This normal? Any reason for it?

[Nils]

As long as the distance between the holes is the same, it doesn't really matter where you put the screws. I guess the custom shop just does not pay attention to where the screws should go on that back plate. As long as they're in.

Same thing for vintage Gibsons. Not all covers have the screws in the same place. A lot of them do, but not all.

Edit: Been looking up a lot of pics of vintage Gibsons: a lot of variation.

[pinefd]

Originally Posted by chriswallace85

I've been looking at a variety of Les Paul's recently, mainly historics and noticed there is quite a lot of variation in the screw positions on the the circle plate on the back of the guitar. This normal? Any reason for it?

Yes, this is normal, and there is a reason for it. In the Custom Shop, there are a few people who do the final assembly and setup, which includes installing these back plates. Each of these individuals has a "signature" way of orienting that round switch plate, so that he knows whether it was one of "his" guitars or not. I'm friendly with one of the guys who used to do that (who I believe is/was a member here at one time), and I believe his orientation was like this, with one screw "pointing" dead right:




Frank

[chriswallace85]

Ah cheers for that, quite a cool little fact.

[Nils]

Sweet

[Danelectro]

Huh. That's something I never really noticed before.

[KenG]

Originally Posted by pinefd

Yes, this is normal, and there is a reason for it. In the Custom Shop, there are a few people who do the final assembly and setup, which includes installing these back plates. Each of these individuals has a "signature" way of orienting that round switch plate, so that he knows whether it was one of "his" guitars or not. I'm friendly with one of the guys who used to do that (who I believe is/was a member here at one time), and I believe his orientation was like this, with one screw "pointing" dead right:




Frank

Nice back shot there!!!

[chrisuk]

Originally Posted by pinefd

Yes, this is normal, and there is a reason for it. In the Custom Shop, there are a few people who do the final assembly and setup, which includes installing these back plates. Each of these individuals has a "signature" way of orienting that round switch plate, so that he knows whether it was one of "his" guitars or not.

That explains a lot:

On my '91 standard the 'signature' of the guy was to put on the front strap button at a slight angle and the bridge humbucker surround on a little squint.

[pinefd]

Originally Posted by KenG

Nice back shot there!!!

Not one of mine. I just pulled it off the Internet.