Top Wrapping Gibsons

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gball

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Who here top wraps their tailpiece on a guitar with a ToM bridge? I tried it many years ago and didn't like the feel under my right palm, so quickly switched back.
But...as I was recently thinking of switching to lighter strings I remembered that top-wrapping is supposed to make the strings feel slinkier and thought I would give it a crack again on a couple of guitars, to see what kind of difference it would make. Guys like Bonamassa and Gibbons swear by it after all. So I strung up my '79 LPC and my Les Paul Traditional with the tailpiece decked and top-wrapped, and I am so far really liking the results in both feel (noticeably slinkier) and tone (a little snappier in the low end). I think I can get used to the feel pretty quickly and I am planning to experiment with the rest of my guitars to see if it benefits them as well. May not need to change string gauge after all.
 
Ive tried it---- didnt like or dislike it really--- and it didnt change the fact I cant play for shite -- so.......its just easier NOT to top wrap-- (so I vote for --LEAST amount of work involved---I mean it takes 3-4 YEARS for me to change the damn strings ANYWAY -- so Im not going the extra mile-----sorry) ;)
 
I used to top wrap my SG & LP traditional, but stopped when I fitted Faber locking tailpiece studs to them. I've recently changed from using 10-46 to 9-42 strings, so might give top wrapping another go. The good thing about the Faber tailpiece studs is that they'll prevent the tailpiece from twisting axially when top wrapping (as the stock studs allow it to). Cheers
 
Ooh ooh. Pick me. Pick me. Originally I tried it to get a better angle on the strings going over the bridge/saddles. For whatever reason, I like to have the end piece down tight on the body. Couple of the strings were actually contacting the bridge body. Didn’t think that was appropriate.

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As for any difference. Some suggest tone. Sustain. Strings easier to bend. I’m not smart enough to tell.

Edit: As I give it more thought. I could buy into the string bendy thing. The physics of top wrapping actually gives you a fraction of an inch total string length. I suppose in theory that tad extra length could equate to less string tension???
 
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iblive said:
As for any difference. Some suggest tone. Sustain. Strings easier to bend. I’m not smart enough to tell.

Edit: As I give it more thought. I could buy into the string bendy thing. The physics of top wrapping actually gives you a fraction of an inch total string length. I suppose in theory that tad extra length could equate to less string tension???
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I believe, no matter how the strings are attached beyond the bridge and nut, the same “tension” is required between the bridge and nut to maintain pitch.
 
iblive said:
As for any difference. Some suggest tone. Sustain. Strings easier to bend. I’m not smart enough to tell.

Edit: As I give it more thought. I could buy into the string bendy thing. The physics of top wrapping actually gives you a fraction of an inch total string length. I suppose in theory that tad extra length could equate to less string tension???
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I never noticed any difference and I don't think there really is any.
 
67plexi said:
No makes changing strings a pain

View attachment 40898
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Yes, you need to cut the ball ends free from old strings & slide one ball end onto each new string before fitting, to prevent the ball end "wrapped" portion of the strings from protruding out the back of the tailpiece (& causing tuning instability etc). 67plexi's post just reminded me of this, so I won't be top wrapping again.
And yes smitty-p, it does mark the tailiece. Both my SG & LP traditional's tailpiece have scars from top wrapping. Cheers
 
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ivan H said:
Yes, you need to cut the ball ends free from old strings & slide one ball end onto each new string before fitting, to prevent the ball end "wrapped" portion of the strings from protruding out the back of the tailpiece (& causing tuning instability etc). 67plexi's post just reminded me of this, so I won't be top wrapping again.
And yes smitty-p, it does mark the tailiece. Both my SG & LP traditional's tailpiece have scars from top wrapping. Cheers
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I forgot about the ball end on the latest change.

I'm sure with all the downtime from work I'll be needing another change before too long.
 
Yes. I do the ball end trick as well. Personally, I don’t notice it being any more difficult or time consuming than regular. But then take note of my mentioning being a math nerd. As for marking the tail piece. I’ve done it this way for several years. Maybe the TonePros set I have has a decent chrome plating as so far..... no marking or scratching of the finish.
 
RVA said:
Bingo!!
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Could be snake oil, but from my limited observation, there us simply more string length post bridge than before, which means there is more string available to stretch when you bend, hence the somewhat slinkier feel. I do believe I can feel it but maybe It's just the new strings. I can say though that doing it has definitely improved the punch of the wound strings and for that reason alone I will likely keep them this way.
 
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