Top wrapping a tune-o-matic bridge

[acceptance]

First time trying it, and I dare say it sounds better and holds pitch better.

 

[GreatRedDragon]

I've done it for 20 years, every time I try the other way I seem to bust strings faster.

 

[PurityS.L.G]

I’ve gone back and forth on this many times and I will admit the strings are easier to bend but you can just also raise the tailpiece for the same result. You won’t notice any loss in sustain with that raised tail piece.

 

[japetus]

I always wondered that: "Why not just raise the tailpiece?" But if it works for someone it works

 

[Geo]

I was always under the impression that a steeper angle going over the bridge made for a more articulate sound.

 

[SpiderWars]

I was always under the impression that a steeper angle going over the bridge made for a more articulate sound.

It sounds different and it feels different. Everybody should try it. I think it can vary depending on the guitar but for the most part I never top wrap and screw the tailpiece all the way down. That's just the way I like it but lots of great players top-wrap.

 

[Geo]

It sounds different and it feels different. Everybody should try it. I think it can vary depending on the guitar but for the most part I never top wrap and screw the tailpiece all the way down. That's just the way I like it but lots of great players top-wrap.

I thought people only overwrapped when the neck angle was wrong and you can't lower the tailpiece enough.

 

[thegame]

Don’t care for the ukulele mod

 

[SpiderWars]

I thought people only overwrapped when the neck angle was wrong and you can't lower the tailpiece enough.

If you couldn't lower the tailpiece enough, top-wrapping would just make it worse.

A lot of LPs with Nashville bridges will have the E strings and sometimes others hit the back of the bridge, between the saddle and the tailpiece. And you have to raise the tailpiece a lot to prevent it. That bothers some people so they top wrap and screw the tailpiece all the way down.

 

[headlessdeadguy]

I’ve always done it. Seems to make the tuning more stable and I think it looks much cooler. Lol

 

[stephen sawall]

I top wrap the D and low E string. The rest the normal way.

 

[Erock]

seen it, but never tried it. Did it affect your intonation? I don't think I've ever seen the saddle that far back for the high E.

 

[acceptance]

seen it, but never tried it. Did it affect your intonation? I don't think I've ever seen the saddle that far back for the high E.

That's because it's high A (A Standard tuning). I haven't checked intonation yet since top wrapping. I had to max out the saddles on a couple strings when I first set it up though, and as I recall they were close, not perfect. I'll see if this helped.

 

[Erock]

That's because it's high A (A Standard tuning). I haven't checked intonation yet since top wrapping. I had to max out the saddles on a couple strings when I first set it up though, and as I recall they were close, not perfect. I'll see if this helped.

gotchya, thanks, I thought about that after looking closer at the string gauge. I've seen lots of players do this, maybe I'll try it sometime. Can the strings move laterally at all on the tailpiece?

 

[BeZo]

I tried it on my string through guitar, but it didn't work. The strings are too short.

 

[acceptance]

gotchya, thanks, I thought about that after looking closer at the string gauge. I've seen lots of players do this, maybe I'll try it sometime. Can the strings move laterally at all on the tailpiece?

Not really because they are anchored in the saddle grooves. I was able to get good intonation btw. I can't really say for sure that this made the difference though.

 

[VonBonfire]

Top wrapping is the way to fly.

 

[acceptance]

Top wrapping is the way to fly.

Actually, I heard you talking about it somewhere recently and thought I'd give it a go.

 

[stephen sawall]

I top wrap the D and low E string. The rest the normal way.

I'm joking.

I tried top wrap a few times for awhile in the 80's. I don't do it anymore. I prefer the tighter feel of the normal method.

 

[VonBonfire]

Actually, I heard you talking about it somewhere recently and thought I'd give it a go.

Eases up the perceived string tension. That makes my life so much easier, as does Eb tuning.