If you need to access your control cavities and humidity changes or whatever have your continuous wood backplates VERY snug fitting, here's a trick I tried...maybe you've already done it. Just take a 1 suction cup and gently adhere it to the backplate and pull it off. Beats the hell out of trying to pry it off with a fingernail (or the screwdriver...yikes!) or flipping the guitar over and pounding on it until the backplate drops out. Works on brass as well.
 
Next week we'll discuss getting Cabernet stains out of a silk tie!
 
Regards,
 
Jonathan

Best tools I've found to get Cabernet stains out of a silk tie is a shredder and a Nordstrom card...

Nic,
 
Why bother with the Nordstrom card? And I happen to find fire a much more cathartic and pleasing experience.  Remember to remove the tie first.
 
On a serious note, soda water works great on just about everything. Remember that you are trying to wick the stain out, not scrub it.  You learn how to remove stains when you have my particular combination of body shape and lack of skill with eating utensils.
 
Brad

Brad:
 
Have you ever tried soda water on a silk tie?  I did...... Once......  Macy's cards work too.
 
Bill, tgo

Bill,
 
I probably have.  Can't remember how it turned out.  I suspect that it stretches the silk, causing it to look all wavy.  Hence my comment about attempting to wick the stain, not scrub it.  You'll quickly ruin things that way.
 
I pretty much only wear ties to church, anyways-- everybody I work with wears business casual.  Even those uptight East Coasters have gone business casual!
 
Since I'm at home when I stain up my ties, they become my wife's responsibility.  Hopefully that won't incite the relationship police =).
 
Brad

I thought the reason to wear a $40 tie was to protect a $25 shirt? I have since eschewed the use of ties, and am not all that fond of shirts, either!
 
Larry