Top Wrapped Strings On My LesPaul

Rowen-M

Hi Guys.

Thought I'd share my experience on this with you all. I've been wanting to do this for a while now but was always doubtful of any benefits to this because of the many differing views on the net.

I like my action slightly higher which necessitated raising the bridge. Unfortunately this resulted in an increase in the break angle of the string over the bridge and the string resting on the back edge of the bridge.

So yesterday I decided to give it a shot. Got a new set of 10's, screwed the tailpiece flush to the body and top wrapped the strings over the tailpiece. I am absolutely ecstatic with the results. Despite the obvious decrease in the break angle of the string, the guitar feels and sounds better. It has much more resonance when strummed unplugged.

I know many feel that the increase in tone and slinkiness of the strings attained by top wrapping is a myth and the benefits exist only in a persons head but I know my guitar intimately, and I can tell you it does make a difference.

So my advice to anyone toying with idea is to give it a bash. It may just be that extra edge you've been looking for.

domhatch

Rowen M wrote: Hi Guys.

Thought I'd share my experience on this with you all. I've been wanting to do this for a while now but was always doubtful of any benefits to this because of the many differing views on the net.

I like my action slightly higher which necessitated raising the bridge. Unfortunately this resulted in an increase in the break angle of the string over the bridge and the string resting on the back edge of the bridge.

So yesterday I decided to give it a shot. Got a new set of 10's, screwed the tailpiece flush to the body and top wrapped the strings over the tailpiece. I am absolutely ecstatic with the results. Despite the obvious decrease in the break angle of the string, the guitar feels and sounds better. It has much more resonance when strummed unplugged.

I know many feel that the increase in tone and slinkiness of the strings attained by top wrapping is a myth and the benefits exist only in a persons head but I know my guitar intimately, and I can tell you it does make a difference.

So my advice to anyone toying with idea is to give it a bash. It may just be that extra edge you've been looking for.

well, i for one nearly fell off the stage when i read this... ?
dh|

singemonkey

I top-wrap on a very resonant LP. I can't say I noticed much difference except in feel - and that only slightly. But results may clearly vary. I basically do it cos Jimmy Page did ?

ezietsman

Same here. I have been top wrapping my Les Paul strings. I don't notice any difference. Looks cool though.

lapdawg

The type of tailpiece could be a factor. I am speculating, but the lightweight very hollow tailpiece may have some resonant effect, especially with the wrap over. I have handled a few different ones and can vouch for the resonant properties of the lightweight one - when not connected to anything.

shaunf

It's interesting reading the various experiences on this. I used to own a USA Les Paul in addition to my custom shop reissue.

I found that when I top wrapped the USA LP, there was a significant improvement in sustain. On the reissue, there was absolutely no difference.

I put this down to 2 things. Firstly, the Nashville bridge on the USA LP, versus the tune-o-matic on the reissue, and secondly the neck angle differences. The USA guitars have a much greater neck angle compared to the reissues. Top wrapping a USA LP significantly reduces the break angle over the bridge, which seems to yield positive results.

lapdawg

shaunf wrote: It's interesting reading the various experiences on this. I used to own a USA Les Paul in addition to my custom shop reissue.

I found that when I top wrapped the USA LP, there was a significant improvement in sustain. On the reissue, there was absolutely no difference.

I put this down to 2 things. Firstly, the Nashville bridge on the USA LP, versus the tune-o-matic on the reissue, and secondly the neck angle differences. The USA guitars have a much greater neck angle compared to the reissues. Top wrapping a USA LP significantly reduces the break angle over the bridge, which seems to yield positive results.

I get the break angle part. Not sure about Nashville - ABR1. They have their subtle differences, but I can't see how top wrapping will work differently for each. I am not debunking this, just saying I don't see how.

shaunf

lapdawg wrote:
shaunf wrote: It's interesting reading the various experiences on this. I used to own a USA Les Paul in addition to my custom shop reissue.

I found that when I top wrapped the USA LP, there was a significant improvement in sustain. On the reissue, there was absolutely no difference.

I put this down to 2 things. Firstly, the Nashville bridge on the USA LP, versus the tune-o-matic on the reissue, and secondly the neck angle differences. The USA guitars have a much greater neck angle compared to the reissues. Top wrapping a USA LP significantly reduces the break angle over the bridge, which seems to yield positive results.
I get the break angle part. Not sure about Nashville - ABR1. They have their subtle differences, but I can't see how top wrapping will work differently for each. I am not debunking this, just saying I don't see how.

I realised after clicking submit, that I hadn't expanded on my views on the bridges, and then didn't get a chance to put it down yesterday.

I believe that tone and sustain in particular are affected significantly by the interplay between the bridge, the strings and the tailpiece. There is a widely held view that the tailpiece on a Les Paul should be tightened down against the body, as opposed to being floating somewhere up above it. On USA Les Pauls, the greater neck angle, combined with the Nashville bridge that is quite a bit wider than the ABR1, results in a very sharp break angle over the top of the bridge, and in some cases the strings actually touch the back of the bridge if the tailpiece is tightened down. Top wrapping the tailpiece alleviates this steep break angle, while allowing the tailpiece to be tightened fully down. On a reissue, which has the shallower neck angle and narrower bridge, the tailpiece can be tightened fully down without having to top wrap.

Hope that makes more sense! ?

singemonkey

Well, in regards to that, my Tokai has an ABR-1. But before I top wrapped, the tailpiece (lightweight aluminium) was not tightened down. I both tightened it flush with the body, and top-wrapped. Having done both these things I noticed no difference in sound, and only the hint of a difference in feel.