• From: The Black Country
  • Registered: 2011-03-14
  • Posts: 32

Topic: Quick question about top wrapping

Hi guys,

Having seen videos and read posts on the forum where Joe recommends top wrapping on a Les Paul I decided to try it on my 58 Reissue. I'm really pleased with the effect, but theres a problem with the g string (cue puns  tongue ).

It sounds muted, notes ring out for the same amount of time as the other strings, but it sounds muffled, particualrly when sliding between frets.

Has anyone had the problem before/have any ideas whats causing it?

Cheers,
lp_lover

Guitars: Gibson JBLP Studio, Gibson LP '58 Reissue VOS Washed Cherry, Gibson LP Standard Ltd Edition Manhattan Midnght Blue, Gibson LP Custom Black Beauty 3PU with Bigsby, Gibson SG Standard, Fender Telecaster Jimmy Page Custom.
  • From: Edwardsville, IL
  • Registered: 2010-05-17
  • Posts: 656

Re: Quick question about top wrapping

I just recently did after meeting Joe in Peoria last week and he basically told me too lol. I didn't have any problems with doing it. Did you screw the tailpiece of your LP all the way to the body of your guitar?

my guitar playing. http://www.youtube.com/user/09ncowan?feature=mhee

3 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2011-03-15 11:10:43)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Quick question about top wrapping

Never heard of this. Top wrapping shouldn't change anything between the nut and the bridge. Because of that, I think there is a lot of "voodoo" in top wrapping. People say the tension is less, but a string in tune is a string in tune... that tension shouldn't change. That said, I do it - and happen to like it. Gibbons, Page, Wylde, etc. all do it...

I had a GC in Detroit setup one of my LP copies, and told me "I need to go back to rock school" if I think top wrapping is good or does anything at all. I really don't like anything about any of the GC's I've ever visited, but I digress.

I've traditionally only have seen this as a solution to tighten you tailpiece to the body without having the strings bottom out on the back end of the bridge. Nashville bridges have been swapped out for ABR-1 bridges to account for this too.

Lots of threads on top wrapping, you might be able to dig up something useful to answer your question.

- 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
  • From: The Black Country
  • Registered: 2011-03-14
  • Posts: 32

Re: Quick question about top wrapping

Yeah I have the tail piece slammed right down to help with sustain. Its really odd I restrung it again because it did it the first time but its exactly the same.

Might try that idea of running the string through an old ball end that someone posted out of desperation!

Guitars: Gibson JBLP Studio, Gibson LP '58 Reissue VOS Washed Cherry, Gibson LP Standard Ltd Edition Manhattan Midnght Blue, Gibson LP Custom Black Beauty 3PU with Bigsby, Gibson SG Standard, Fender Telecaster Jimmy Page Custom.
  • sted
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  • Registered: 2011-03-20
  • Posts: 333

Re: Quick question about top wrapping

lp_lover wrote:

Yeah I have the tail piece slammed right down to help with sustain. Its really odd I restrung it again because it did it the first time but its exactly the same.

Might try that idea of running the string through an old ball end that someone posted out of desperation!

I dunno really, I do it now and it feels different to me to play than before, changing the break angle over the bridge definitely has some effect but as usual just try it, if you like it, do it!

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Quick question about top wrapping

with the tailpiece tight, I would try stringing it normal to see if the string hits the edge of the bridge. if it doesn't, you don't need to topwrap.

- 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
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Quick question about top wrapping

I'm going to have to disagree with the the string in tune being the same tention.  On my Les Paul Classic something definately was different and the string buzz was horrible.  I did everything I could think of and even asked people on here about it.  I did an experiment to see what was causing the buzz.  One person said that the way the strings angle changes the tention over all and from what I found I can only believe it to be true.  The shorter the string less tention, but the smaller the angle on the break point of the string the less binding you have which equals less tention.  The problem I had was my bridge wasn't holding the saddles down with enough force and they would buzz.  It was an ABR-1.  I used a instant glue to lock my saddles in place and I had no more problems with the bridge.  Later I switch to a Tone Pros because they make their parts to interlock the saddles before the screws go into them which greatly reduces the problem.  My advice is try a tone pros bridge because Gibson specs are too loose to promise you that you can top wrap without something weird going on.

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