Discover the Hidden Role of Guitar Backplates
                     Understanding Back 
Plates: The Hidden 
Hero of Guitar Design
When a majority of guitarists contemplate modifications or 
personalization, they consider pickups, fingerboards, or finishes. 
However, the back plate is one of the aspects of any electric guitar 
that people tend to initially disregard but actually play a crucial 
role in safeguarding the internal mechanism of your instrument, as 
well as to adding to the overall performance and visual appearance 
of that same instrument.
Just like you may be a luthier, or a DIY enthusiast, or even a 
stranger to the world of guitar construction, it is important to 
understand the guitar backplate and its purpose to appreciate how 
instruments handle the construction and management of a guitar.
What Is a Guitar Backplate?
A backplate guitar part, occasionally referred to as a guitar control 
cavity cover plate, is a detachable plate that fits at the rear of an 
electric guitar. This plate is used to cover the control cavity, or the 
inside area that has exposed wiring, potentiometers, switches and 
other electronics, and prevent dust or moisture damage and impact 
damage to the electronics without altering the clean appearance of 
the guitar body.
Normally these plates are held in place using multiple screws 
mounted to the backplate of the guitar, and despite having a straight 
forward design, the material, shape and size of a backplate may differ 
depending on the type of guitar (such as Stratocaster or Les Paul).
Why Backplates Matter in Guitar 
Parts
The backplate of a guitar may appear to be the purely utilitarian thing to have, at 
first, but the truth is that it does have something to do with the way your guitar 
will feel, it has to do with the way it will perform:
• Protection & Access
All the fragile elements of the guitar are enclosed in the electronic cavity which is coated with 
the required backplate. Without it, the wiring may get caught, trap debris, or become 
damaged, particularly when carrying/storing your guitar.
• Easy Maintenance
Whenever one needs to customize pickups, change pots, or install new wiring, the backplate 
provides easy access to the interior cavity - and all with only a few removed screws of the 
backplate.
• Customization and Aesthetics.
Most people swap off the backplate standard, but there are also those who use custom covers 
in a variety of formats or materials - to add a personal touch to the appearance of an 
instrument.
Backplates Available at Exotic 
Wood Zone
We have a number of quality back plates available to match popular electric guitar 
models in our shop: Sort of a build or restorative project: Building or restoring a guitar? 
Here's a fine assortment of back plates to the most popular models: Exotic Wood Zone.
• Stratocaster‑Style Control Cavity Covers
This Hosco Control Cavity cover Backplate fits the Fender Stratocaster Style guitar, and offers a 
better maintained appearance with its minimalistic look behind your Stratocaster-looking guitar. It 
fits in black or white and is a strong plastic backplate that keeps the lines of your instrument clean 
even though it protects the electronics inside. They do not come with screws in them, so you are 
going to have to supply your own.
• Les Paul-Style Backplates
Hosco Les Paul Control Backplate Cavity Cover is specifically designed to fit the proper dimensions of 
a Les Paul control cavity to Les Paul owners and custom builders. Produced in Japan, this is a durable 
alternative that delivers the same functionality and aesthetics.
These services bring out the importance of backplates, even though they are tiny 
components that are sometimes nonvisual, but nonetheless, they are serious parts of 
your build in regard to longevity and finish.
Materials Matter: From Plastic to Exotic 
Woods
Historically, high-impact plastics have been used in the manufacture of most of 
the backplates and the cover plates of guitar control cavity as a result of their 
durability and malleability. Nonetheless, some adventurous constructors and 
craftsmen experiment with exotic materials, such as wood, by using them as 
custom plates or themed constructions.
Even other guitar parts such as backs, sides and headplates, can be found at 
Exotic Wood Zone with a beautiful selection of Exotic Woods which can inspire 
custom projects long beyond the ordinary plastic backplate. This involves high-
quality tonewoods like Lacewood, Mahogany and even Ebony.
Selecting wood as a creative option of a backplate is not a common choice, 
though it is not unheard of in the custom sheet. Exotic woods introduced 
judiciously into the open areas of the guitar can introduce a sense of warmth, 
aesthetic simulation, and even the slightest tonal traits.
Final Thoughts
Protecting your electronics with a commonplace guitar backplate, creating 
the ultimate personalized backplate design using exotic tonewoods, or 
just assembling parts to the dream build, knowing how the back plate 
helps will help you be a better guitar player. Whether it is selecting proper 
screws to fit the backplate of the guitar or the size of the control cavities, 
it is a little part of the story but should be paid as much attention as it 
does not actually receive because every single detail counts when it 
comes to building the instrument that not only sounds well but has a 
beautiful appearance.
Find backplates and other guitar components at Exotic Wood Zone and 
bring functionality and glamour to your next creation!