14 Best Neck Plates For Guitar 2024; Fender Strats, Telecasters & More

Looking for a neck plate replacement?

Guitars are subjected to a lot of wear and tear, especially if they are taken on tour for prolonged periods. Which means, sometimes, parts must be replaced.

A neck plate, along with screws, serves the function of holding your guitar’s body and neck together. But it has certain esthetic qualities too. Which means a custom neck plate can be kind of cool and can even help you express you or your band’s personality.

In this guide, we look at the best neck plates for guitar.

LazrArt Warmoth Turtle Guitar Tribute Neck Plate

As you’re about to see, LazrArt has got several custom engraved or print designs that look cool and might even breathe a bit of new life into your axe.

Here we have the Warmoth turtle tribute neck plate. Warmoth, if you’re unaware, manufactures custom guitar parts, including necks, bodies, pickguards, hardware, and more.

This neck plate is a standard Fender size (2 x 2.5 inches) and you can choose one of the two designs pictured (this is not a two-plate set), although additional customization is available. You can even choose from laser engraving or direct color printing.

This kit comes with a plastic mounting plate and four screws. If you get a gold plate, you get gold screws, and if you get a black plate, you get black screws.

Users were happy with what they got and had no complaints about this neckplate whatsoever.

Item weight: 3.1 ounces

Package dimensions: Unknown

LazrArt Standard 4 Bolt “Custom Built” Engraved Or Printed Guitar Neck Plate

Here’s another attractive LazrArt option. It should not be confused for a Fender product, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t cool!

The standard four-bolt “Custom Built” neck plate comes with laser engraving and color printed options.

The neckplate itself is a standard Fender size (2 x 2.5 inches) with screw holes 1.5” and 2” apart on-center. The bundle comes with a plastic mounting plate and four matching screws.

Most users loved the neck plate and thought it was great quality.

Item weight: 3 ounces

Package dimensions: 2.5 x 0.1 x 2 inches

LazrArt “Custom Built” Engraved Guitar Neck Plate

Here’s one more LazrArt option for everyone looking to turn their Strat into a custom guitar. The “Custom Built” engraved guitar neck plate is exactly as it appears. It features a proprietary design and unique serial number.

LazrArt allows you to choose the color of your preference. The neckplate is standard Fender size (2 x 2.5 inches), and the package comes with plastic mounting plate and four matching screws.

Most buyers liked the neck plate, though some said you should source better screws as they weren’t happy with the ones included.

Item weight: 3 ounces

Package dimensions: 2.5 x 0.1 x 2 inches

Fender Standard Guitar Neck Plate

Sometimes you just want the real thing. And Fender is the behemoth brand in the world of guitar.

The genuine Fender standard guitar neck plate is sleek. It comes with the “Fender Corona, California” engraving it has a tilt adjustment hole too.

Users loved the neckplate and found it to be a perfect fit for their guitars.

Some thought it was lightweight and a little thin. One customer ended up with a rusty neckplate, but if that happens to you, be sure to send your package back for a refund or replacement.

Item weight: 1.6 ounces

Package dimensions: 11.42 x 7.48 x 3.54 inches

SourceTon 3 Pack Different Color Electric Guitar Neck Plate With Screws

Can’t make up your mind? Want several options to choose from? Need more backups, just in case?

Then you’re sure to appreciate the SourceTon 3 pack. Yes, you really do get three neck plates for the price of one. You get a silver, black, and gun black neckplate.

Per the manufacturer, the neck joint plate is made of metal while the protective plate is made of plastic. The plates are sized at 2.52 x 2.05 inches, and apparently these plates are compatible with Strats, Teles, Les Pauls, SG guitars, and even Precision and Jazz basses.

Most buyers liked the value and quality of the product. Others said it was just decent for the money and found the included screws to be too long.

Item weight: 7.7 ounces

Package dimensions: 6.77 x 3.62 x 0.87 inches

Mxfans Gold And Black Neck Plate Engraved Animal Head Pattern & Screws For Guitar

Now here’s something kind of special. The Mxfans gold and black neck plate comes with a roaring tiger design, which seems to evoke images of kung fu movies. Seems like it could be great for hard rock or metal players.

The neck plate is made of high-quality zinc alloy. It comes with four screws and a plastic protective plate.

Reviewers thought it was well made and enjoyed the quality of the tiger plate. Some said it was cheap gold plating and didn’t like that. But what do you expect for the price?

Item weight: 0.81 ounces

Package dimensions: 4 x 1.5 x 0.39 inches

Fender 4-Bolt Vintage-Style Neck Plate Plain – Chrome

For those that “don’t need no fancy engravings,” there’s always the standard, made in USA, blank Fender vintage-style neck plate. It’s about as plain as you can get.

If there’s something else you want, you should go looking for it. But if simple and vintage is what you’ve been dreaming about, then you have a solution worth exploring right here.

Many buyers thought it was good value and described it as exactly what they wanted.

There weren’t many who were left disappointed, and if they were, it generally wasn’t because of the quality of the plate.

Item weight: 1.6 ounces

Package dimensions: 11.42 x 7.48 x 3.54 inches

TIHOOD 3 Electric Guitar Neck Plate With Screws

Here’s another three pack in case you need more backup plates. The TIHOOD neckplates are made of metal with the protective plate being made of plastic. It comes in a standard Fender size.

Customers generally thought these neckplates were great value for the money.

Item weight: 8 ounces

Package dimensions: 7.5 x 3.2 x 0.4 inches

Oneflysky 2 Pack Guitar Metal Neck Plates With Plastic Mat For Strat Tele Style Electric Guitar

The Oneflysky neckplates are made of chrome plated steel. They work for Fender Strats and Teles as well as Jazz basses (check measurements to ensure proper fit).

These plates come with a black rubber mat to protect the back of your guitar, and it also offers a bit of give to reduce the over-tightening of screws.

The package comes with two neck joint plates, two plastic back plates, and eight mounting screws.

Most reviewers thought the neckplates were high quality and good value.

Item weight: 5.3 ounces

Package dimensions: 2.99 x 2.2 x 0.71 inches

Milisten 2 Electric Guitar Neck Plates Start Tele Jazz Bass Replacement Parts

The Milisten neck plates are available in brass and bronze, though there’s a slight difference in price. Pictured above is the brass model.

These plates are lightweight, come with matching screws, and are designed for use with electric guitars.

It seems buyers unanimously liked these neckplates, as we could not find any negative reviews for them.

Item weight: 2.47 ounces

Package dimensions: 2.68 x 2.01 x 0.14 inches

Dopro 4-Bolt Electric Guitar Replacement Neckplate

The Dopro 4-bolt electric guitar neckplate is available in black, chrome, and gold (though the gold model seems to cost a little more than the others).

Dopro says the neckplate should work with most Fender four-bolt mounting guitars and basses, but to check dimensions before purchase.

The bundle comes with screws and a plastic protective plate.

Buyers said they liked the quality and price of the Dopro product.

Item weight: 2.68 ounces

Package dimensions: 4.96 x 3.43 x 0.35 inches

Musiclily Metal Neck Mounting Plate For Fender Guitar Or Bass

Although we are decidedly in the “budget” category now, that’s not saying much when it comes to neckplates, as they are relatively affordable to begin with.

Anyway, the Musiclily metal neck mounting plate fits Fender style guitars and basses, is made of metal alloy, and comes with mounting screws and back plastic plate. This unit is available in black, gold, and silver, but each one varies slightly in price.

Some reviewers thought the neck plate was perfect, while others said it was good for the price.

Although there were some that found the neckplate or the screws to be a little flimsy.

Item weight: 2.4 ounces

Package dimensions: 3.6 x 2.7 x 0.1 inches

JIANZHENKEJI Electric Guitar Neck Plate With Screws For Start Tele Guitar Precision, Jazz Bass Replacement

Here we have the unpronounceable JIANZHENKEJI electric guitar neck plate. Manufacturer claims it should work with Strat, Tele, Les Paul, and SG style guitars as well as Precision and Jazz basses.

This neck plate is available in chrome and gold, though the gold costs more.

In total, you get the metal neck joint plate, two plastic protective plates, and four screws.

Most buyers thought the neckplate was excellent quality.

Item weight: 2.39 ounces

Package dimensions: 3.5 x 3 x 0.3 inches

ZERIRA Metal Guitar Neck Plate With Screws

The ZERIRA metal guitar neck plate comes with a metal guitar neck joint board, plastic back plate, and four screws.

Aside from that, it’s basic. What you see is what you get.

All in all, this is a highly rated product.

Item weight: 2.08 ounces

Package dimensions: 1.97 x 1.97 x 0.59 inches

What Should I Look For In A Guitar Neck Plate?

When it comes right down to it, a neck plate is relatively basic. Usually, it’s chrome, rectangular with rounded edges, has four holes, and sometimes features an engraved design, but many times it does not.

Some customization is possible. You can find neck plates that are a different color than yours, or those with an engraved or direct color printed design. So, you can give your guitar a bit of a facelift if you so desire.

And if you go looking for them, you can find neckplates with many designs not shown above.

That said, most neck plates will do the trick. You don’t need anything fancy or expensive if you’re just looking for a replacement. Not to say you should spend the least you can possibly spend, but unless you end up with flimsy hardware, there isn’t a lot that can go wrong.

But if you’re still unsure, or haven’t decided yet, it’s all good. We’ve got you covered. We’ll take a closer look at a few factors that may affect your buying decision. They are as follows:

• Quality
• Fit
• Design & esthetics
• Budget

Let’s rap!

Quality

Again, we’re talking about a simple piece of gear. There’s not a lot that can go wrong. The only thing we’ve seen is that sometimes the screws are too long, not long enough, and on a rare occasion, the neckplate itself is a little flimsy.

Overwhelmingly, though, unless you go looking for bargain basement products, this simply isn’t much of an issue.

One other thing you might look out for is whether the plate has the potential to scratch your guitar’s body. Typically, this is not much of a concern, though, and even if you do scratch the general area where the neck plate is going to be installed, it’s going to cover the affected area.

Still, quality is probably the most important factor when it comes to shopping for a neck plate. So, look carefully at the reviews. Check the dimensions. Ensure that you’re getting the right product before purchase.

Assuming you do your homework and take your time, there’s not a whole lot that can go wrong!

Fit

A neck plate that doesn’t properly fit your guitar isn’t of much use to you!

Which is why we suggest checking the dimensions of your neck plate as well as the one you’re thinking about buying before purchase. You don’t want to end up with a product you can’t use, even if it isn’t going to hurt your bank account.

Remember – while most guitars have relatively “standard” rectangular neck plates, there are those that have neck plates with unusual shapes and sizes. If this is the case, either you will need to look for neck plates designed for your specific type of guitar or contact the manufacturer to figure out your next steps.

Design & Esthetics

As you’ve seen, there are neck plates featuring different designs. In some ways, the above is just the starting point, because when it comes right down to it, you can put whatever you want on a neck plate. It just comes down to whether it’s gong to be laser engraved or direct color printed.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing the design of a neck plate. It can be whatever you want it to be, assuming it's available, or you have the right tools and skills and customize your own.

That said, if you have a guitar with chrome hardware, then you’ll likely opt for a chrome neck plate. If your axe has gold hardware, you might choose a gold neck plate. And so on.

As I said, there are no rules, though, and you can do just about whatever you want with your guitar. Simply find a neck plate that appeals to you and install it on your guitar.

Budget

We think budget is basically a non-issue as applied to neck plates. Because most will only cost you somewhere in the range of $5 to $20.

But just in case, we’ll give our usual disclaimer:

We do not recommend going into debt to purchase any musical gear. So, either stick to your budget, or save up for the product you want.

Do All Guitars Come With Neck Plates?

No, but most electric guitars do.

Neck plates aren’t necessarily a requirement when it comes to holding the neck and body together. To that extent, you will see guitars with custom shaped neckplates (based on their unique body shape), or guitars that come with no neck plates (but the screws/bolts are still visible).

Many acoustic guitars do not have neckplates.

What Are The Best Neck Plate Brands?

Neck plates are simple enough that just about anyone can make them and make them well.

That said, some of the best brands we know of are the ones that follow. And some of them weren’t even mentioned above (their products aren't always as easy to find)!

Let’s look at the best neck plate brands.

Fender

Fender is legendary in status and behemoth in stature. They’re responsible for bringing some of the most iconic guitars and amps into this world, and they make a variety of parts and accessories too.

Some of the best players of all time are known Fender players, including Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler, Richie Blackmore, Yngwie Malmsteen, Eric Johnson, and many others.

Their neck plates aren’t too shabby, and a lot of people really dig the engraved ones.

Warmoth

If you’ve spent any time looking for custom guitar parts, it’s unlikely the name Warmoth hasn’t flown off the screen and hit you in the face. They’re especially great if you’ve ever thought about building a guitar from scratch, since they make guitar necks and bodies.

And, of course, they’ve got all your hardware needs covered. They have just about everything you can name, including Warmoth neck plates.

G-GOTOH

GOTOH or G-GOTOH is a Japanese guitar parts manufacturer and the long-running company was founded in July 1960.

They make machine heads, tremolo units, bridges and tailpieces, and other hardware and accessories.

Again, they’re another go-to when it comes to custom parts and custom guitars. A brand worth keeping an eye on.

Allparts Music

One more brand that’s worth keeping on your radar is Allparts Music. They make hardware, bodies, neck parts, tuning keys, electronics, bridges, tailpieces, knobs, pickguards, luthier tools and more. No wonder they’re called Allparts!

Allparts is an excellent resource to turn to when you’re looking for something specific.

Best Neck Plates For Guitar, Final Thoughts

Choosing a neck plate shouldn’t be too difficult, especially now that you’ve combed your way through this guide.

It’s an essential piece of gear, but it isn’t expensive, and if you want to stock up on replacements, it’s not going to hurt your wallet!

You can even find attractive, custom designs that catch the eye if you like.

Use the above list to whittle down your options and choose one (or more) that’s right for you.

Happy shopping!