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Top wrapping

FinallyAGibson

New member
Joined
May 19, 2015
Messages
26
Sorry if it's been covered, but what is the advantage of top wrapping strings over the tail piece? Sustain?
 

montesada

Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2008
Messages
713
Three things, maybe more:

1) It makes the strings feel slinkier, as in easier to bend. You can go up a size in strings and still have it feel the same.
2) It allows you to screw the stoptail right down to the body for supposedly better tonal transfer without having extreme break angle over the bridge, and the strings hitting the bridge on the back side.
3) It looks cool.
 
Last edited:

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
11,069
Sorry if it's been covered, but what is the advantage of top wrapping strings over the tail piece? Sustain?

Nope. A lot of guitars you can't do it on either. If you get too shallow an angle on the tail your guitar will sound like buzzy poop. So the only ones you can do it on will need a pretty high bridge. Fortunately in the last few years Gibson obliged. As I always refuse one with a big neck angle and high bridge I can't do it on any of mine. With the exception of the 54. Oh...
 

tdarian

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 25, 2008
Messages
3,577
For sure top wrapping a 54 should be left to the heavy hitters like Renderit, so please bear that in mind! With that little disclosure out of the way, you might want to try doing a top wrap on your next string change and see if you like it. That is the only way you will know if it is what you want. A lot of it is going to be about the feel, and that is highly personal.

If you are concerned about loosing your Mojo by simply raising the Tailpiece, don't be. I think that the claims of increased "tonal transfer" with the tailpiece all the way down/studs all the way in do not bear out in listening the way they would theoretically hint to. Easy to try on your guitar, just like the top wrap.

If you do the top wrap, have fun and do report back. What are you top wrapping?
 

FinallyAGibson

New member
Joined
May 19, 2015
Messages
26
2013 50's Tribute Goldtop with P90's. I may try it for the next string change as you suggested.
Thanks for all the links and answers.
For sure top wrapping a 54 should be left to the heavy hitters like Renderit, so please bear that in mind! With that little disclosure out of the way, you might want to try doing a top wrap on your next string change and see if you like it. That is the only way you will know if it is what you want. A lot of it is going to be about the feel, and that is highly personal.

If you are concerned about loosing your Mojo by simply raising the Tailpiece, don't be. I think that the claims of increased "tonal transfer" with the tailpiece all the way down/studs all the way in do not bear out in listening the way they would theoretically hint to. Easy to try on your guitar, just like the top wrap.

If you do the top wrap, have fun and do report back. What are you top wrapping?
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
11,069
Don't try this at home! I wore (and still wear) a safety helmet. I am a professional, people! Village Idiots Guild #77

 

chuckNC

New member
Joined
Apr 24, 2012
Messages
1,261
Don't try this at home! I wore (and still wear) a safety helmet. I am a professional, people! Village Idiots Guild #77
That safety helmet doesn't have cupholders mounted on the sides by any chance?
 

Triburst

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 12, 2006
Messages
4,353
(4). Duane did it. :dude:

Seriously, top-wrapping is one the few "mods" that you can do that is both cheap and easily reversible. You should definitely give it a go.

In my own experience, some guitars really do like it.
 

JBLPplayer

Active member
Joined
Sep 29, 2010
Messages
1,136
Gibbons and Page too.. That's were I knicked the idea. I'm my case it makes the strings that 11-52's feel like 10-48... :salude

Joe B
 

duaneflowers

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 13, 2013
Messages
2,523
Gibbons and Page too.. That's were I knicked the idea. I'm my case it makes the strings that 11-52's feel like 10-48... :salude

Joe B

I think this is what gives top wrapped strings 'greater sustain', i.e., you can cheat your way into a heavier gauge string, which tend to have greater sustain. I think that was the logic behind hybrid top wrapping as well, i.e., just top wrapping the top 3 strings, so the sustain can come closer to that of the bottom 3 strings. Never tested that theory though, although probably half of my guitars are conentionally top wrapped. :salude
 

voodoogreg

Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2003
Messages
98
I was kinda looking for an opinion thread on top rapping but found this, cause after 30 yr's of playing LP's I tried it and hated it, but I already use 11's and 12's so maybe that's it. VG
 

Django2014

New member
Joined
Sep 24, 2014
Messages
330
Gibbons and Page too.. That's were I knicked the idea. I'm my case it makes the strings that 11-52's feel like 10-48... :salude

Joe B

I've been thinking about trying it with my 13-56 Flat Wounds, maybe make them feel like 12-52 :rofl:rofl:rofl

And nothing is cooler than Page at the Albert Hall in 1970 with his #1 LP when he had it top wrapped and it still had the double white bridge pup
 

voodoogreg

Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2003
Messages
98
I've been thinking about trying it with my 13-56 Flat Wounds, maybe make them feel like 12-52 :rofl:rofl:rofl

And nothing is cooler than Page at the Albert Hall in 1970 with his #1 LP when he had it top wrapped and it still had the double white bridge pup

Flat's? uh Nooo...

I think Pagey, took the cover off the PU cause it didn't match the sweater vest :hmm :rofl:rofl:rofl
 

white room

New member
Joined
Jan 28, 2005
Messages
108
I have gone back and forth with it a few times with 10's and 11's and so far the jury is still out with me. I like the feel but to my ears, the strings seem to have a bit of a softer tone when top wrapped but nothing real dramatic. I'm thinking of giving it another shot on my next change. YMMV
 
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