Should I top wrap?

Pecan

Pecan

New member
My guitar is due for a string change soon and I'm considering top wrapping the strings. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing it this way? Anything I should know before I do it?
 
Re: Should I top wrap?

This may be a bit biased, but, No top wrap!

Here are the down sides:
Not enough string tension,
Strings can come off the saddle,
Bridge may move goofing intonation
Negligable/no gain in tone
It looks lame

Up side:
None
 
Re: Should I top wrap?

Experimenting with it on my SG I did not have any tuning, intonation or string "popping" issues. The only advatage I see is that you can screw the tailpiece all the way down. Your strings will feel more slinky and some people like the "flat" feeling of the string break over the bridge. Do it because you like the feel, it will not change the tone or sustain in any way that will be noticeable from your amp's speaker.
 
Re: Should I top wrap?

Aceman said:
This may be a bit biased, but, No top wrap!

Here are the down sides:
Not enough string tension,
Strings can come off the saddle,
Bridge may move goofing intonation
Negligable/no gain in tone
It looks lame

Up side:
None
Click to expand...

Yeah um, I did it for 3 years with my LP and I never had any of those problems. You have to put the tailpiece flush with the body though, remember. I cuts down on string breaking, or did me back when I broke them at times. It also gives the strings a looser feel and just feels better overall. Go for it man, you got nothin to lose. Don't listen to us chatter bugs, try it yourself!
 
Re: Should I top wrap?

I top wrap all my Les Pauls and like the way the strings feel. As far as sustain, I think with the tailpiece flush to the body, it helps.
 
Re: Should I top wrap?

Been top wrapping my '77 Lester Special for years to clear the edge of the bridge, never had a problem. Besides, If it's good enough for Billy Gibbons, it's good enough for any of us!!!
 
Re: Should I top wrap?

SeraphimTN said:
Yeah um, I did it for 3 years with my LP and I never had any of those problems. You have to put the tailpiece flush with the body though, remember. I cuts down on string breaking, or did me back when I broke them at times. It also gives the strings a looser feel and just feels better overall. Go for it man, you got nothin to lose. Don't listen to us chatter bugs, try it yourself!
Click to expand...

While I agree that one should try it to see if they like it I have to disagree that problems can occur when you crank the tailpeice all the way down.

I have a 73' Les Paul that someone did that to and now it has a lean to it if I don't take crae stringing it up. The extreme angle can be more than the bridge is rated for and cause damage.

Try it and see if you like it. I lasted all of a month before I said "this is bull****" and cut them off and went back to the normal way.
 
Re: Should I top wrap?

Skarekrough said:
I have a 73' Les Paul that someone did that to and now it has a lean to it if I don't take crae stringing it up. The extreme angle can be more than the bridge is rated for and cause damage.
Click to expand...
Wrapping them over the top of the tail piece lessens the extremity of the angle....
 
Re: Should I top wrap?

I just did it on the Hamer as an alternative to having to raise the tailpiece quite a bit. The strings touch the back of the bridge if it isn't raised 1/2" or so.. I like the look and feel of it top wrapped.
 
Re: Should I top wrap?

JB_From_Hell said:
Wrapping them over the top of the tail piece lessens the extremity of the angle....
Click to expand...

I know. But if you crank the tailpeice all the way down it still can create a potentially bad situation.
 
Re: Should I top wrap?

You might as well try it. Whether I liked it or not shouldn't matter, but I will give you a clue, I am primarily a slide guitar kind of guy and my vibrato is from going back and forth not up and down.
 
Re: Should I top wrap?

Aceman said:
This may be a bit biased, but, No top wrap!

Here are the down sides:
Not enough string tension,
Strings can come off the saddle,
Bridge may move goofing intonation
Negligable/no gain in tone
It looks lame

Up side:
None
Click to expand...

I officially disagree with everything you just wrote! :)

I always top wrap. I also always use Tone Pros stuff. I love the easier bends, I love the look, I love being able to screw my TP down close to the guitar for better sustain... To me, it's all good.

Downside is that you will eventually scratch your TP. But that only matters if you decide to switch back.
 
Re: Should I top wrap?

I tried top wrapping... I don't think that I'll do it again. I don't break strings and I think that I have a loose enough feel already. I also don't like taking the tailpiece all the way down. I think that the guitar sounded noticeably worse that way. It's apples and oranges, one of the things you really have to try yourself.
 
Re: Should I top wrap?

I totally agree with what Scott_F said!

You should definately try it, as you can always go back if you don't like it.
 
Re: Should I top wrap?

I've tried top wrapping on three different guitars and it's only really worked on the flametop Paul.

It didn't work for me with the LP Special, not enough tension coming over the bridge & the strings were just too floppy...kept popping out of the saddles and I was having tuning issues.

It was "so-so" on the ESP PC-2. After a few string changes with both ways I decided to string it 'normal' for the time being.

Try it. See if 'ya like it...
 
Re: Should I top wrap?

descibe to me please.... what is this "top wrap"
 
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