Big improvement for a Stop Tailpiece/TOM guitar

[JeffB]

As I'm sure some know, there is a mystique about the original Les Pauls cos they used a wrap-around stop tailpiece instead of the later Tune-O-matic and stop tailpiece. Owners of these wraparound bridges claim they sound better.... have a better tone.

So I'd seen where alot of guys use their normal TOM/Stop tailpiece as a wrap around by feeding the strings through the stop backwards, wrapping it over the stop, and then back across the TOM and up to the headstock.

Last night I decided to totally re-string my guitar and try this method.

I can definitely say there is something to it. The sound of each note is more full or 3 dimensional, the sustain increased a bit, and the guitar "mellowed" out with it's brightness. It also seems more responsive to palm muting (makes it a bit easier). Just an overall sweeter "bigger" tone. Very nice. Wish I had tried this much sooner.

If you've got a guitar with a Stop/TOM def give it a try.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Big improvement for a Stop Tailpiece/TOM guitar

I've got my goldtop set up like this, and I will do my standard that way next string change. I like the fact that it allows me to set the stoptail all the way down, and the action feels a little slinkier. I also notice a difference in tone.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Big improvement for a Stop Tailpiece/TOM guitar

That's a good way to do it. But I prefer more string angle behind the bridge so I string the tailpiece normally and after adjusting and intonating the bridge, I set the stop tailpiece so it's as low as it will go and still leave just a little light showing underneath each string and the back edge of the base of the TOM bridge.

The other way (screwing the stop tailpiece tight to the body and then wrapping the strings over the top of the stop tailpiece) is a good way to go about it too though and there's something to be said for the solidity of the screwing the tailpiece's ht. adjustment screws tight to the body.

For another big improvement in tone, get rid of the zinc stop tailpiece and replace it with what Gibson used throughout the 50's and until 1962: ALUMINUM.

Aluminum weighs 1/3 or less what zinc weighs and sounds better to me: more acoustic and more of the 50's Burst tone.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Big improvement for a Stop Tailpiece/TOM guitar

That's a good way to do it. But I prefer more string angle behind the bridge so I string the tailpiece normally and after adjusting and intonating the bridge, I set the stop tailpiece so it's as low as it will go and still leave just a little light showing underneath each string and the back edge of the base of the TOM bridge.

Lew, I had tried this the last couple weeks, and while I like the feel, I started breaking strings left and right at the TOM. Prolly the saddles are a little burred or something, but with that greater angle it was tearin them to pieces. At a more "conservative" angle, string breakage was very low :shrug:

For another big improvement in tone, get rid of the zinc stop tailpiece and replace it with what Gibson used throughout the 50's and until 1962: ALUMINUM.

Aluminum weighs 1/3 or less what zinc weighs and sounds better to me: more acoustic and more of the 50's Burst tone.

I've thought about doing this Lew, but I've also heard from more than one person that it makes for a "brighter" sounding guitar. As it is, with the BB pros, the guitar is bright enough. The wrap around stringing method helped tame some of this, but I'm a bit leery of brightening the guitar back up with the alum stop. Do you find the alum brightens up the sound too? Or is it a different characteristic?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Big improvement for a Stop Tailpiece/TOM guitar

Lew, I had tried this the last couple weeks, and while I like the feel, I started breaking strings left and right at the TOM. Prolly the saddles are a little burred or something, but with that greater angle it was tearin them to pieces. At a more "conservative" angle, string breakage was very low :shrug:



I've thought about doing this Lew, but I've also heard from more than one person that it makes for a "brighter" sounding guitar. As it is, with the BB pros, the guitar is bright enough. The wrap around stringing method helped tame some of this, but I'm a bit leery of brightening the guitar back up with the alum stop. Do you find the alum brightens up the sound too? Or is it a different characteristic?

No, I don't think aluminum makes for a brighter tone. Just the opposite. I think zinc sounds "steelier" and brighter and gives the guitar a harder sounding resonance and ring. Aluminum sounds a little more "open" and "acoustic". Lew

 

[JeffB]

Re: Big improvement for a Stop Tailpiece/TOM guitar

I've got my goldtop set up like this, and I will do my standard that way next string change. I like the fact that it allows me to set the stoptail all the way down, and the action feels a little slinkier. I also notice a difference in tone.

Jeff,

It does feel "slinkier" to me, but not "sloppy" if that makes sense. On a 24 3/4" scale instrument I generally prefer more tension as I play pretty hard and tend to overbend/fret too hard on light guages, low action, etc. However, the "wrap around" seems to make the guitar feel/play "slinkier" without feeling like there is less tension...don't know if that makes sense, but..

TANGENT:

did ya get the new pups in the R7 yet?

 

[JeffB]

Re: Big improvement for a Stop Tailpiece/TOM guitar

No, I don't think aluminum makes for a brighter tone. Just the opposite. I think zinc sounds "steelier" and brighter and gives the guitar a harder sounding resonance and ring. Aluminum sounds a little more "open" and "acoustic". Lew

Hmmm...well maybe I'll give one a try, cos that sounds desireable. Is this something you sell Lew? or would I need to buy at allparts or somesuch?

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Big improvement for a Stop Tailpiece/TOM guitar

After I played a R8 with the strings around the TP I knew when I got my next TOM with a TP I'd wrap em over. I love it.

Luke

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Big improvement for a Stop Tailpiece/TOM guitar

Hmmm...well maybe I'll give one a try, cos that sounds desireable. Is this something you sell Lew? or would I need to buy at allparts or somesuch?

I do stock the nickel plated Gotoh version and use one on both my Hamer Monoco and my Les Paul '59 Historic. But I wasn't trying to sell you a tailpiece... :laugh2:

If you need one do I have a few in stock for $40. though. Just as nice as the Gibson version, IMO, which sells for about double.

Lew

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Big improvement for a Stop Tailpiece/TOM guitar

Lew, do you have any that fit Epi's? I think I might want to try one on my Sheraton. :burnout:

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Big improvement for a Stop Tailpiece/TOM guitar

Jeff,

It does feel "slinkier" to me, but not "sloppy" if that makes sense. On a 24 3/4" scale instrument I generally prefer more tension as I play pretty hard and tend to overbend/fret too hard on light guages, low action, etc. However, the "wrap around" seems to make the guitar feel/play "slinkier" without feeling like there is less tension...don't know if that makes sense, but..

TANGENT:

did ya get the new pups in the R7 yet?

It's definately not sloppy, I just like the way the tension feels. Just right to me. It makes sense to me anyhow.

As for the R7 - I'm still playing the BB's. I really actually like the bridge quite a bit...the neck I still haven't been able to dial in. I've got a Seth neck, an APH neck and a 59' neck that I could try. I really want this guitar to have a "Set" of pups, as opposed to being a hybrid. I'm waiting on a new bridge from the seller of this guitar (long story), but I don't know if it will be aged like the bridge/tailpiece on the guitar now. If it's aged, I'll go with a set of Antiquities most likely. If it's new, I'll get a new lightweight tailpiece and then be more up in the air for the pups. These BB's overall have been a nice suprise.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Big improvement for a Stop Tailpiece/TOM guitar

Lew, do you have any that fit Epi's? I think I might want to try one on my Sheraton. :burnout:

Sure thing. Same tailpiece that will fit a Gibson will fit an Epi. Thanks! Lew

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Big improvement for a Stop Tailpiece/TOM guitar

Sure thing. Same tailpiece that will fit a Gibson will fit an Epi. Thanks! Lew

Cool.

Do you have them in gold and nickel?