What is the point of doing a string wrap around the tailpiece ...?

[Cherryburst]

... does it transmit more string vibration to the body, or does it lessen the string angle on the saddle reducing the chance to break the string?


... or neither? :fc

 

[Tex Ecco]

Hi Cherryburst,

"Top wrapping" as it's known is claimed to:

1. Reduce the string angle over the bridge which reduces string tension.
2. Allow for easier string bends.
3. Allow the tailpiece to be lowered, increasing sustain.
4. Look really cool !!!

I guess some here find it a worthwhile method. I've tried it but prefer the standard setup. No real downside to giving it a try next time you change strings. :salude

 

[cherrick]

Instead of top wrapping, I do a bottom wrap, specifically to get the greatest vertical component of force where the string meets the bridge saddle. My ears tell me this gives me the greatest energy in tonal overtones.

 

[Leña_Costoso]

I take issue with #3 on the list above. To me it falls into the category of "baseball cards on the spokes of your bicycle" as a kid.... made ya go faster didn't it!

Strings exhibit over 150lbs pull on the tail. There is no instability with a bridge sitting a quarter or so higher... considering too that the studs extend quite deeply into the bushings.

However, there are some that swear the baseball cards DID in fact make them go faster, that top wrapping greatly increases sustain (or even just a little). We shall agree to disagree I suppose.

 

[dwagar]

Also, the decreased tension can help prevent a collapsed bridge (where the tension forces the center of the bridge down), either by raising the TP or topwrapping.
Finding a TP sweet spot may require the TP to be higher than you'd like - I shoot for roughly the same string angle breaking across the bridge as across the nut. Here's a pic of my Custom:

I think some guitars can benefit from a wrap, and others won't do much, other than #4 as Tex Ecco said above. (due to neck set angle)

 

[PaulSG]

Do a search for "top wrapping" there are a lot of threads on this subject.

FWIW, I top wrap all my Gibson's. YMMV

 

[Kap'n]

I do it so other guitar players think it's some sort of secret mojo.

IOW, it's something to do for the hell of it.

 

[59burstbucker]

I discovered top wrapping out of necessity. First time I changed strings on my burst, 9-0368, after getting it in '76, I found that the ball ends were stuck inside the TP, I guess from wear, needing to push them out with a nail or something. I remembered a picture of Duane Allman's guitar with the top wrap. I tried it and solved the problem of ball ends getting stuck, and figured that was why Duane did it! Maybe not, but I continued doing it on other guitars out of habit, regardless of tone/string tension differences.

 

[02glps]

FWIW, I top wrap all my Gibson's. YMMV(PAULSG-quote)

me too

can someone tell me what "YMMV" means?

 

[shuie]

It looks cool :ganz

 

[dwagar]

can someone tell me what "YMMV" means?

Your Mileage May Vary

 

[02glps]

Your Mileage May Vary

thanks Don

 

[Cherryburst]

I guess I will try it and see what happens. Thanks for the info. :salude

 

[Adwex]

I just recently stopped topwrapping...I was breaking strings at the tailpiece (never at the saddle). That extreme bend was too much for the string if I hit it too hard.

 

[J.D.]

Only downside is if you decide to revert back you will have 6 little string marks across the top of your ($179) lightweight stop TP.

 

[jamisonlps]

In my experience, topwrapping decreased my sustain. The area of string contact with the tailpiece caused the string vibration to slow/stop sooner and was actually damping natural string movement. YMMV.

 

[jamisonlps]

Only downside is if you decide to revert back you will have 6 little string marks across the top of your ($179) lightweight stop TP.

$179 lw tp. I know they exist, but does anyone really pay that absurd price? What's wrong with the $40 Gotoh?

 

[Edward]

Indeed, Cherryburst, there is lots on this debate in the archives. Grab a drink, read, and then try it.

I topwrap and love it! I honestly didn't notice any change in tone/sustain at all. But I'm a convert and will stick to it because I prefer how it plays. The strings feel just a tad more slinky (I like 11s, but this helps ease that preference), and palm muted playing is oh so much more comfortable. And yeah, and looks really cool, too!

Edward

 

[J.D.]

$179 lw tp. I know they exist, but does anyone really pay that absurd price? What's wrong with the $40 Gotoh?

List price. Allparts gets $190 for them http://www.allparts.com/categories.php?cat_id=641&cat_name=HISTORIC SPEC PARTS Nothing wrong with the Gotoh but what's on the Historic is the $179 one.

 

[big-ace]

i topwrapped the E B G strings only. it allows for easier bending, but i found that the strings broke quicker for some reason. i always put the tailpiece down as far as it will go. it feels more stable.