Top wrapping

[Big Al]

In my experience, in every instance it opened up the tone in a very real way. I haven't noticed an easier feel and find that bit repeated often but it never seems to affect any of my LP's in that manner. It will allow for more string vibration and lower sweeter harmonic tone.

 

[Heritage 80]

Another thing that I believe is true is that if you need to raise your tailpiece because the strings are touching the back of the bridge you lose sustain. With a top wrap you can crank down the tailpiece and solve that problem. As with any mod YMMV.

 

[les strat]

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...

This^^^^

I absolutely cannot with my R8. The strings will not stay on the saddle even with the TP cranked all the way down, and it sounds like garbage. But I do like my neck angle better than 99% of the Rx's I have played.

 

[T.Allen]

All the cool kids are doing it!

i like the decreased break angle off the bridge. It is easier on the bridge and posts and allows me to seat the tail piece studs.

 

[alainguitars]

I'll second this 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.

I do favor it for guitars that have a medium height bridge.

 

[tdarian]

I went with a top wrap on my last string change a couple of weeks ago. On my R7 with way the geometry works out it does feel like there is a real change in the feel of the resistance of the string, fretting and bends. To me it feels like "less tension" but it does seem like I need to bend slightly further to attain the same pitch. The feel of the effect is not huge but the main thing I've noticed over the past 2 weeks is that I have more stamina throughout a session and over time.

It felt weird at first having the strings up over the tailpiece but I've gotten used to it. I want to try this with the Nickel Classics too. The wound strings are a bit "recessed" on the Monels but with a really cool raw thing going on, and all of that holds true with the top wrap. It may be a while though because the last time I used the Pyramid Monels they lasted for months. I'm not hearing striking tone changes...it does feel like there is a slight change to the sustain as in a little more. I did not notice that when I top wrapped this guitar briefly back in 2011, but I am this time.

This guitar, a 2011 R7 has just enough of an angle with the neck/body where doing this works without compromise. I doubt I could top wrap my 2007 R6, but that guitar with it's shallower angles and geometry plays pretty slinky with the 11s strung regular and I don't want to rock the boat.

 

[Cliff Gress]

Are you using 11s on the top wrapped R7 tdarian?

 

[tdarian]

Are you using 11s on the top wrapped R7 tdarian?

Yes, 11-48.

 

[Cliff Gress]

thanks. i'm gonna try 11s next string change and top wrap.

 

[NickD]

11-52 and top wrapping for me. Looks better, feels better and there is less pressure on the bridge - I've seen them bend on LPs with a steep break angle.

 

[Shantrick]

I hear some of you say you can screw the tail piece all the way down if you top wrap.
I don't top wrap (yet) and I have my screws all the way down. Is this a bad thing? I just figure there is more
vibration transfered with the stop piece in as far as she'll go.

 

[NickD]

ABR bridges can bend over time from the pressure of a steep break angle - the original bridge on my Deluxe had sufferred from this. You then have problems setting a consitent action as in effect the bridge now has a flatter radius than the neck.

Its difficult to see what break angle you have there from the way the picture has been taken.

 

[savageguru]

Ok, i've been reading ALOT of forums on top wrapping and all the arguments for it's pros and cons.

My question is this: how can it not make a difference in the sustain? The arguments i have read are all interesting on both sides however saying that it doesnt make a difference where the tailpiece sits (lower should be more solid, likeholding a ten pound weight in your hands with yourarms out vs holding it at your body) and what the angle of the strings at the bridge, less angle should translate into a smoother transfer of the string vibration, right?

Also, if the wood the guitar is made of, the nut material, tailpiece metal and the glued neck vs bolt-on makes a difference, i dont understand how top wrapping does not.

Anyways, I'm new here. Thanks for listening!:##

 

[renderit]

Because anything you are gaining in transfer via more threads in contact and less moment arm on the tailpiece you are giving up with increased string distance behind the bridge inserts and potentially less angle on the strings. All physics and geometry. And that answer from ME should scare the hell out of you...

 

[Big Al]

Ok, i've been reading ALOT of forums on top wrapping and all the arguments for it's pros and cons.

My question is this: how can it not make a difference in the sustain? The arguments i have read are all interesting on both sides however saying that it doesnt make a difference where the tailpiece sits (lower should be more solid, likeholding a ten pound weight in your hands with yourarms out vs holding it at your body) and what the angle of the strings at the bridge, less angle should translate into a smoother transfer of the string vibration, right?

Also, if the wood the guitar is made of, the nut material, tailpiece metal and the glued neck vs bolt-on makes a difference, i dont understand how top wrapping does not.

Anyways, I'm new here. Thanks for listening!:##

Slightly looser tension results in longer sustain. It is about angles. Steep angles from tailpiece to bridge often choke the string due to the increase in downward pressure on the saddles and bridge. If you raise the tailpiece up to relieve this pressure you lose some of the contact or coupling factor of the stud bolt. I have found that the stud bolt inserted all the way and in contact with the wood of the body is preferable for the type tone I like.

The angle however is to steep in most cases and by top wrapping the string I gain coupling effects and loosen the angle of the string to the bridge which results in a "better" tone by lowering the harp tones of the bring behind the bridge. It works for me and that is all I can say. May not work for you. IMO the lesser angle to the bridge is key in achieving the type tone and responce I like.

It is easy enough to try and you could have already done it by the time you have read through this whole thread and make up your own mind if you like it or not. You shouldn't have to be talked in to it, just do it and listen.:hank:hank:hank

 

[marshall1987]

Because anything you are gaining in transfer via more threads in contact and less moment arm on the tailpiece you are giving up with increased string distance behind the bridge inserts and potentially less angle on the strings. All physics and geometry. And that answer from ME should scare the hell out of you...

.....or more precisely... Applied Mechanics.

Applied mechanics is a branch of the physical sciences and the practical application of mechanics. Applied mechanics describes the response of bodies (solids and fluids) or systems of bodies to external forces.

Applied mechanics, as its name suggests, bridges the gap between physical theory and its application to technology. As such, applied mechanics is used in many fields of engineering, especially mechanical engineering. In this context, it is commonly referred to as engineering mechanics. Much of modern engineering mechanics is based on Isaac Newton's laws of motion while the modern practice of their application can be traced back to Stephen Timoshenko, who is said to be the father of modern engineering mechanics.

Just my 2c.

 

[Big Al]

.....or more precisely... Applied Mechanics.

Applied mechanics is a branch of the physical sciences and the practical application of mechanics. Applied mechanics describes the response of bodies (solids and fluids) or systems of bodies to external forces.

Applied mechanics, as its name suggests, bridges the gap between physical theory and its application to technology. As such, applied mechanics is used in many fields of engineering, especially mechanical engineering. In this context, it is commonly referred to as engineering mechanics. Much of modern engineering mechanics is based on Isaac Newton's laws of motion while the modern practice of their application can be traced back to Stephen Timoshenko, who is said to be the father of modern engineering mechanics.

Just my 2c.

This couldn't be more true.

 

[SixStringSoldier]

It makes it so much easier to dust between the bridge and stoptail.


duh.

 

[tdarian]

It makes it so much easier to dust between the bridge and stoptail.


duh.

Yes, the maids love this!

 

[jon9]

I started doing it in the late 80's before the "internets" I didn't know it was a thing. I play real hard and was having a lot of string breakage. I figured the strings were at such a steep angle and that was causing the problem. It never made any sense to me to raise the tailpiece way up. So I wrapped them over the top and never had a problem and have continued to do it since with all the Lp's that ive played.