do i need a neck plate/gasket?

[data187]

I'm mounting a bolt on neck to a strat body.
Do I really need to use a neck plate/gasket?
What happens if I just screw the neck directly to the body?
Will the neck or neck pocket crack?
Thanks!!!

[slash]

No you don't have to use the gasket. It won't cause any structual damage but it may put an indention on the body underneath the plate.

[Bengal65]

On the neck plate, you have to use it to spread the load over the area where the screws go through the body. Without it you will most likely crack the body if not immediately or shortly thereafter. On the gasket, like Slash said.