New Pups and Top Wrap

[ItsaBass]

Re: New Pups and Top Wrap

Does every form of Tuneomatic benefit from this, or just certain types? Like I've seen some bridges and tailpieces that are countersunk, and some that are a slightly different design (resomax, etc). I am interested because I will be getting a guitar with a tailpiece like this after many years of using trems.

Yes; the [IMO bunk] theory behind the superiority of top wrapping would apply to most variations of the Gibson TOM/stop-bar design. But there are a few brands that use tailpiece spacers between the studs and the screws. They make it so you can screw the tailpiece down firmly while still having the tailpiece high (meaning no top wrapping is necessary to achieve full tightness of the tailpiece screws). I think Faber might offer this, as well as one other famous aftermarket hardware company (the name escapes me ATM).

My only major suggestion is to pick a bridge that's made of steel, as opposed to one of the standard zinc-based alloys. They are more durable (won't collapse in time), and to my ear sound better. I have mostly forgot which brands use steel and which use zinc-based alloys, but I know Callaham is steel.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: New Pups and Top Wrap

Callahan is what you are thinking of, it comes with spacers for the tailpiece height adjustment and they work perfectly. I have the full Callaham kit, including replacement studs for bridge and tailpiece. You have to be careful with Callaham. If the guitar using Callaham hardware is dark sounding naturally throughout the tone spectrum, the Callaham will add brightness and treble nicely. If the guitar is normal or bright naturally it may be too much. It was on my LP. It added way too much brightness. I left the bridge on and went back to the Tone Pros stop tail. Much better sound. Know your guitar before you use Callaham. Cold rolled steel is what it's made of.....bright.

 

[man-in-moon]

Re: New Pups and Top Wrap

I agree with Jeff_H about the Callaham stuff. It is good stuff but you have to be careful. I learned that the hard way with a super bright tele I had.