• From: The Netherlands
  • Registered: 2010-02-14
  • Posts: 318

Topic: Top-Wrap String Question

Ok, this is maybe a little hard to explain but I'm gonna try my best;

I use Ernie Ball 011's on my Les Paul, and I want to top-wrap them around the bridge. Now here's the issue; on the very far, the little part just before the little wheel... or ball..., the main-string is a little thicker than the rest of the string. When I want to top-wrap this, I'm afraid that the string will burst eventually. Is this the case with all strings or are the ernie ball strings the only ones with the little thicker end?

Hope to hear from ya,

Rick

I don't charge for mistakes. - Joe Bonamassa
  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: Top-Wrap String Question

I top wrap my rotosound 11's and have never had a string break. The only problem is that Rotosound spin the loop on the end quite a long way on the string and occasionally you find a sharp end with the side of your hand. I have recently been recommended Dunlop strings. Any comments appreciated.

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)
  • macg1
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
  • Posts: 1,020

Re: Top-Wrap String Question

just top wrap it man! do it! be a  daredevil!!

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
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  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Top-Wrap String Question

I never really was all that impressed with top wrap.  GHS, DR, and Ernie Ball strings do not wrap very far up the string so I would try them.  I will warn you if you want to sell your guitar your string through holes will show signs of damage.  Its a cheap part to replace though so don't worry too much.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: New York
  • Registered: 2011-02-13
  • Posts: 444

Re: Top-Wrap String Question

AD3THREE wrote:

I never really was all that impressed with top wrap.  GHS, DR, and Ernie Ball strings do not wrap very far up the string so I would try them.  I will warn you if you want to sell your guitar your string through holes will show signs of damage.  Its a cheap part to replace though so don't worry too much.

I think you meant they "will show signs of awesomeness"! big_smile

Gibson Custom Joe Bonamassa Ltd Signature Les Paul VOS # 31
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Top-Wrap String Question

Sure lol.  I did it to one of my friends Les Pauls and was asked to buy him a new stop tail piece.  One mans Awesomeness is another mans messed up I suppose.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,857

Re: Top-Wrap String Question

PSmith1946 wrote:

I top wrap my rotosound 11's and have never had a string break. The only problem is that Rotosound spin the loop on the end quite a long way on the string and occasionally you find a sharp end with the side of your hand.

Try putting some heat shrink or some sort of sleeve over the ends. But then I wonder if it would deaden the strings? Let me know if it helps.

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

Re: Top-Wrap String Question

wrappings, ive seen, does come out the back end of the tailpice where the basic "crimp" in the string starts to wrap over the top of the tailpiece. It's annoying when that wrapping extends that far because the stings at that point doesnt stay tight to the tailpiece... leading me to believe that it eventually will and tuning won't be stable until that point. hmm

- 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: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Top-Wrap String Question

Spider wrote:

Try putting some heat shrink or some sort of sleeve over the ends.

Think I read somewhere SRV's tech did that on his guitars to avoid string breakage? Not an SRV fan really, maybe someone else knows for sure.

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

Re: Top-Wrap String Question

Yep its true.  I got a book by Guitar World written by Dan Erlwin from Stewart Macdonald.  They had setups in the book and interviews with BB king Buddy Guy Jeff beck's tech as well as SRV's Tech.  He totally showed how he would use the wire insolator to help it from breaking a string on the shape edges of the Stratocaster bridge.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Top-Wrap String Question

Big Bends sells re-usable string wraps for Strat bridges.

  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: Top-Wrap String Question

Spider wrote:
PSmith1946 wrote:

I top wrap my rotosound 11's and have never had a string break. The only problem is that Rotosound spin the loop on the end quite a long way on the string and occasionally you find a sharp end with the side of your hand.

Try putting some heat shrink or some sort of sleeve over the ends. But then I wonder if it would deaden the strings? Let me know if it helps.

Will try that. I must abmit I do notice tuning can go out more regularly especially D and G, the main culprits for the sharp ends. Not badly but can be a pain.

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)
  • From: Melbourne, Australia
  • Registered: 2012-04-04
  • Posts: 19

Re: Top-Wrap String Question

helrazr84 wrote:
Spider wrote:

Try putting some heat shrink or some sort of sleeve over the ends.

Think I read somewhere SRV's tech did that on his guitars to avoid string breakage? Not an SRV fan really, maybe someone else knows for sure.

That's René Martinez, isn't it? Now touring with John Mayer?

  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: Top-Wrap String Question

thecolonel wrote:
helrazr84 wrote:
Spider wrote:

Try putting some heat shrink or some sort of sleeve over the ends.

Think I read somewhere SRV's tech did that on his guitars to avoid string breakage? Not an SRV fan really, maybe someone else knows for sure.

That's René Martinez, isn't it? Now touring with John Mayer?

I'm fairly sure Renè passed away recently sad

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: Top-Wrap String Question

Sorry I confused Renè Martinez with Cesar Diaz, SRV's amp tech.... Apologies....

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

  • From: Melbourne, Australia
  • Registered: 2012-04-04
  • Posts: 19

Re: Top-Wrap String Question

stefanhauk wrote:
thecolonel wrote:
helrazr84 wrote:

Think I read somewhere SRV's tech did that on his guitars to avoid string breakage? Not an SRV fan really, maybe someone else knows for sure.

That's René Martinez, isn't it? Now touring with John Mayer?

I'm fairly sure Renè passed away recently sad

EEK! You scared me then...............