Rear Route

[dustalive]

Noob question. Does "Rear Route" on a Strat body mean that just the tremolo has been routed out? or does it mean that it'll be entirely rear routed? I'm looking at one of the figured bodies, and I don't want a pickguard at all. Fully rear routed with nothing covering the top is what I'd like. Am I confused? Or am I on the right track?

 

[Cactus Jack]

Rear route refers to the controls. A rear rout Strat has a control cavity in the back, vs a normal top route which requires a pickguard. You chose your tremolo route independent of the control route.

 

[stratamania]

https://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/ControlCavity.aspx

 

[musicispeace]

You are on the right track. "Rear Route" means the controls are all loaded from the back and there is a cover that screws on, the only thing sticking out the front are the shafts for the knobs. The pickups seat into the routes for them and get adjusted by screws instead of hanging off the pickguard with screws. Rear route really shows off the wood in a figured top. As long as you don't go for a Floyd tremelo the trem route from the front is minimal and looks clean with the bridge installed.