Ongo Gablogian
Strat-Talker
But why not do the MIMs the same way as the MIAs? They don't seem to need them on the MIAs. It just feels like a weird choice of location to me. Even if it has no quantifiable effect on the guitar I've always felt it makes the MIMs feel cheaper.It's there because like under the pick guard it is hidden. There really isn't enough mass missing to affect the coupling between the two pieces to affect any kind of sustain. As long as the rest of the picket is smooth and flat then you would have been just fine with it.
Not saying your preferences are wrong or bad in any way. Just that structurally, there is nothing wrong with the way it's built.