Top-Wrapping Strings-What's Going On Here?

[IndyWS6]

OK, I know that a lot of people, especially on LP-style fiddles, wrap the strings over the top of the bridge. I tried it and didn't see any real benefit. Plus, I rest the side of my hand there and it felt awkward, so I stopped. But, to each their own. In this video of of Phil X he appears to have top-wrapped just the "D" and high "E" strings. Why? Personal preference? Snake Oil? Has anyone else seen this? I have no desire to emulate the practice, but I'm curious. Anyone else do this?

P.S. Phil rocks. Love that guy

 

[iplayloudly]

I have also wondered this. The only real benefit I see is the string is going over the bridge at less of an angle, which might prevent string breakage. Its extremely rare I ever break strings so I dunno.

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

the string tension feels looser, allowing you to use bigger strings if you want for bigger tone. if you don't go up in string gauge it will probably feel a little sloppy. I think I read or saw Joe Bonamassa does this sometimes to achieve a certain "tone"

 

[LP Freak]

I've tried it on my LP and didn't notice a thing. Tension felt the same too.

 

[ctoddrun]

Seems to me that you have to put a certain amount of tension on ANY string over ANY two fixed points to be in tune.

Anything before or after those two fixed points matters not.


I'm not smart though, ...just makes sense to me.

 

[se7en]

I think it's pointless. You can setup your guitar to achieve the same thing. My tech despises it. Besides you'll run the risk of introducing grooves into the tailpiece.

 

[Bob Savage]

 

[OUTLAW1969]

A lot of people do it to avoid the strings from coming into contact with the rear of the bridge, on LP's that would ordinarily have a severe string angle after exiting the tailpiece.

 

[mmorse]

did it for awhile on my LPs. saw no advantage to it whatsoever. stopped doing it.

 

[suhrimmetal]

A lot of people do it to avoid the strings from coming into contact with the rear of the bridge, on LP's that would ordinarily have a severe string angle after exiting the tailpiece.

This ^^ For setups... sometimes your string relation coming off the saddles/bridge to tailpiece just doesn't work for your own action.. Locking down the tailpiece to the body allows you to top-wrap without the tailend of string contacting bridge(which you don't want). Some say it helps in sustain and intonation... I actually prefer to top-wrap on my Standard.. Doug Rappaport and Billy Gibbons are a few others that have/do as well.

 

[Chris O]

Zakk

 

[IndyWS6]

Ahhhh... Mr. Savage to the rescue. Thanks for the video.

I've seen/read the general debate over top-wrapping; I was curious why Phil X only did it for two strings and not the whole set...

 

[the recluse]

I top wrap the strings on my SG because the break angle of the strings over the bridge was really sharp and the strings were hitting the corner of the rear of the bridge before getting to the saddle. I could have raised the tail piece up, but it feels more solid to have it flush against the body.

I haven't noticed any significant difference in playability, but I use pretty heavy strings to begin with.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

I top wrap all 3 of my LP's. I don't buy string tension one bit...still the same amount of psi either way. Feel ans playability don't change at all and its all in the heads of those who think strings are looser etc.

This is the reason I do it.

To have the tail piece screwed down all the way to the face of the guitar. You can't do this on most LP's without the strings hitting the back of the bridge BEFORE it passes over the saddle. Top wrapping changes the angle a bit so the strings hits the saddle, not the back of the bridge first.

 

[Bob Savage]

I top wrap all 3 of my LP's. I don't buy string tension one bit...still the same amount of psi either way. Feel ans playability don't change at all and its all in the heads of those who think strings are looser etc.

Dewd, where do you put in the air? My strings have no PSI but I think it would be cool if they did.

In any event, interesting article on string tension.

http://www.daddario.com/DAstringtension ... 9359810fe8

 

[Anonymous]

I top wrap all 3 of my LP's. I don't buy string tension one bit...still the same amount of psi either way. Feel ans playability don't change at all and its all in the heads of those who think strings are looser etc.

This is the reason I do it.

To have the tail piece screwed down all the way to the face of the guitar. You can't do this on most LP's without the strings hitting the back of the bridge BEFORE it passes over the saddle. Top wrapping changes the angle a bit so the strings hits the saddle, not the back of the bridge first.

i disagree with it being in the head. i could pick out a top wrapped guitar side by side with the same guitar that's not top wrapped i'd think, pretty easily too.

 

[billboogie]

The tension deal is no joke as Gibson designed it to be adjustable for tension, this early ad shows this......