What's the purpose of this method?

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: What's the purpose of this method?

For those who believe that the bar on the surface increases any of the known good tonal qualities, as well as the concept of higher action being better, the wraparound method would decrease the break angle, especially on the older harmonica bridges. The ABM and Nashville bridges may differ in thickness, which is why some notice a break angle issue (i.e. specifically the string coming from the tailpiece to the saddle touches the body of the bridge before the saddle) and some do not.

Still others believe that the wraparound method and the strings touching the body of the bridge increase downward pressure on both, citing multiple-points-of-contact theory for the betterment of tone.

 

[blueman335]

Re: What's the purpose of this method?

Less tension easier bends with heavier strings. Also allows you to lower the tailpiece all the way down to the body which supposedly helps the sustain.

+1. Which is why I top wrap all my strings except those with gold hardware, because gold stop bars get tarnished as you can't wipe them down as well. There's some big name players that top wrap, but I didn't find out about them until after I was doing it myself. Whether you top wrap or not is personal preference, just like string gauge & action height. Whatever works.