• Registered: 2010-02-09
  • Posts: 19

Topic: need help setting up les paul!!!

Hey guys i just picked my guitar up from being set up and i had him top wrap the strings. Needless to say i hate it, the strings feel like rubber bands and there is noticeably less sustain. Im going to set the tail piece back to normal my self as it is now anchored to the body. Can you guys give me some measurements of how high your tail piece is if you dont top wrap your strings. Thanks

Guitars- Gibson 1960 V.O.S Les Paul, Fender Eric Johnson Strat, Martin SWOMGT.
Amp- 1967 fender vibrolux reverb
Effects- Ibanez TS-808, BBE Two Timer, BBE Soul Vibe, Vox V847, Dunlop Hendrix Fuzz Face, Tonebender MKII, BK Butler Tube Driver.
  • Registered: 2007-11-04
  • Posts: 404

Re: need help setting up les paul!!!

What gauge strings are you using.  I use 11's and they feel great on my Les Paul which is top wrapped. Also my tail piece is anchored to the body which I believe is where its supposed to be.  The deeper the metal goes into wood the more transfer of vibration you should get from strings to body.

The folks on the les paul forum are big complainers when it comes to the tail pieces not being deep enough into the wood.
They say thats a big reason that they dont resonate as well. 

I say try using heavier strings and let us know how that works.  Dont raise your tail piece.

  • From: Belfast
  • Registered: 2010-02-01
  • Posts: 110

Re: need help setting up les paul!!!

1960LesPaul wrote:

Hey guys i just picked my guitar up from being set up and i had him top wrap the strings. Needless to say i hate it, the strings feel like rubber bands and there is noticeably less sustain. Im going to set the tail piece back to normal my self as it is now anchored to the body. Can you guys give me some measurements of how high your tail piece is if you dont top wrap your strings. Thanks


When you do the 'Gibbons' Top Wrap thang you need to move up a gauge. In other words if you play and are used to 10's you should move to 11's.

Joe says while he uses 11's on his Les Pauls everyone thinks they are 10's. The reason guys like Billy Gibbons started Top Wrapping years ago was due to the shortage of light gauge strings. It was a good way to lighten up your action. Obviously your's is now too light.  sad
Don't do anything drastic!

Guitars: 95 Les Paul Standard, Relic Strat,
Amps: 1973 Marshall JMP 50 head and Vintage Modern Cab. I use no effects other than a Cry Baby on occasions.
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: need help setting up les paul!!!

Personally, I topwrap my Les Paul with .010s.  I didn't notice the dramatic difference in feel like others have mentioned.  I perhaps feel a slight relief which is nice, but it still doesn't play as fast as my '57 RI Stratocaster.  The neck on the LP is a big one.  I just love the overall feel and tone of 10's myself.  BTW it's almost a must to have the tailpiece studs mounted completely flush on a Les Paul.  You get better action and sustain, but if you don't have enough neck relief you may need to adjust the truss rod.  It's a lot more risky on a Les Paul because the necks are fragile, so be VERY careful.  If you are not sure what you are doing I'd send it to get a pro setup.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: need help setting up les paul!!!

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

Personally, I topwrap my Les Paul with .010s.  I didn't notice the dramatic difference in feel like others have mentioned.  I perhaps feel a slight relief which is nice, but it still doesn't play as fast as my '57 RI Stratocaster.  The neck on the LP is a big one.  I just love the overall feel and tone of 10's myself.  BTW it's almost a must to have the tailpiece studs mounted completely flush on a Les Paul.  You get better action and sustain, but if you don't have enough neck relief you may need to adjust the truss rod.  It's a lot more risky on a Les Paul because the necks are fragile, so be VERY careful.  If you are not sure what you are doing I'd send it to get a pro setup.


       #1           

        but 10s -52s for nice big bottom end powerchords

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
  • From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Re: need help setting up les paul!!!

I topwarap and also use 10's - and screwed the tailpiece right down to the body. Bending is easier, and I think the sustain is a little better (like it needs to be on an LP lol) I could see where .09's could get a little 'slinky' feeling...

stratpaulguy86 wrote:

Personally, I topwrap my Les Paul with .010s.  I didn't notice the dramatic difference in feel like others have mentioned.  I perhaps feel a slight relief which is nice, but it still doesn't play as fast as my '57 RI Stratocaster.  The neck on the LP is a big one.  I just love the overall feel and tone of 10's myself.  BTW it's almost a must to have the tailpiece studs mounted completely flush on a Les Paul.  You get better action and sustain, but if you don't have enough neck relief you may need to adjust the truss rod.  It's a lot more risky on a Les Paul because the necks are fragile, so be VERY careful.  If you are not sure what you are doing I'd send it to get a pro setup.

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: need help setting up les paul!!!

I also top wrap 10's

if you're not topwrapping, just make sure the angle of the string as it comes out of the tailpiece isn't touching the bridge anywhere except for the adjustable tune-o-matic part. sometimes it touches the outside of the part... and you don't want it touching there.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool