Quoted from bigd1979:Had both and prefer the metal backbox with tilted panel. Have way over a thousand plays and it cld pass for nib except for the dimples
I have various sterns with both the metal and wood back box. 101% prefer the wooden ones. Just my opinion of course but the wooden ones feel better built to me and I wish all mine were of the wooden variety. As a side note my wife also prefers the ones made of wood...go figure.