• From: North Babylon , New York
  • Registered: 2008-04-06
  • Posts: 25

Topic: restringing my guitar

Hi everyone this is my first post . I want to restring my Les Paul custom with 11's and bring the strings up and over the rear bridge like Joe and many others but I want to know if this is going change my tonation , adjust my string height etc. If so how do I adjust everything ? I just started playing again after not playing for 18 yrs. I wish I never stopped , damn fingers hurt . I appreciate any help with this and take it easy on me I'm learning all over again . Thanks so much Paul

  • Registered: 2006-09-13
  • Posts: 441

Re: restringing my guitar

Hey Paulie,
Welcome to the forum!  I took the following from Kyle's wonderful "Encyclopedia of Joe Bonamassa Guitar Help" Thread.  Maybe this will shed some light . . .

I'm a mainly a strat player, so I have no advice for you in that department.  Otherwise, hang tight, you've come to the right place.  I'm sure someone here can help you out!

Congratulations on playing again!

In relation to set up of his Les Paul:
I use 11-52 Dean Markely strings.  I use high action..  Its important on a Les Paul that the truss rod is adjusted properly.. A poorly adjusted truss will make play horribly out of tune and intonation.  Proper nut adjustment will also be a factor.  Dave uses Nut Sauce on the gibsons and frankly makes them sound so intune.  Light years ahead of what I could ever do. The big frets are a help and use them to your advantage. Also wrap the strings around the bridge then go over the saddles.(Jimmy Page, Billy Gibbons style)  It helps make the heavy strings feel lighter.. Most people who play my guitars think they are 10's.  Good Luck and Happy holidays..  ??Oh Oh I forgot.. set up your guitar without the amp.. Make it sound good acoustically then plug it in.. thats what I have learned is a good sounding electric guitar will sound good and warm without a amp..

"There is nothing to it.  You only have to hit the right notes at the right time and the instrument plays itself."---Johann Sebastian Bach
  • Registered: 2008-03-23
  • Posts: 31

Re: restringing my guitar

Top-wrapping ( which is what you have described) a set of 11's will give similar string tension to 10's strung normally.  TYou might find the action a tad higher, but not enough to need adjustment, probbaly.  Try it and see.  Worst case, you might need to tighten teh truss rod a little.
I'm thinking of doing this to an LP that I usually have in Eb, 11's top-wrapped, and I expect it will be perfect.  So much music is in Eb it is worth having a guitar dedicated to that.

Music is in the spaces, so is life.
  • From: Oklahoma
  • Registered: 2008-03-28
  • Posts: 263

Re: restringing my guitar

passionfingers wrote:

Top-wrapping ( which is what you have described) a set of 11's will give similar string tension to 10's strung normally.  TYou might find the action a tad higher, but not enough to need adjustment, probbaly.  Try it and see.  Worst case, you might need to tighten teh truss rod a little.
I'm thinking of doing this to an LP that I usually have in Eb, 11's top-wrapped, and I expect it will be perfect.  So much music is in Eb it is worth having a guitar dedicated to that.

I've never had to mess with the factory parts when doing the top wrapping trick unless the guitar was already out of sync.  Otherwise, have at it!

Don't play leapfrog with a unicorn
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: restringing my guitar

I think all you'll need is a neck adjustment. very minor one.

I was breaking strings on a certain LP of mine using 10's and when I did the "wrap around" the stings stopped breaking and they felt like 9's!

- 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: Oklahoma
  • Registered: 2008-03-28
  • Posts: 263

Re: restringing my guitar

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

I think all you'll need is a neck adjustment. very minor one.

I was breaking strings on a certain LP of mine using 10's and when I did the "wrap around" the stings stopped breaking and they felt like 9's!

Well, that is usually not caused by the truss rod being too tight or loose...normally that is caused by burrs (foriegn objects) within the string guides themselves.  I always use a bit of Big Bends Nut Sauce (no jokes! smile ) and I've haven't had any strings break in years!

Don't play leapfrog with a unicorn

7 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2008-04-09 12:21:05)

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

Re: restringing my guitar

Beerdog80 wrote:
NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

I think all you'll need is a neck adjustment. very minor one.

I was breaking strings on a certain LP of mine using 10's and when I did the "wrap around" the stings stopped breaking and they felt like 9's!

Well, that is usually not caused by the truss rod being too tight or loose...normally that is caused by burrs (foriegn objects) within the string guides themselves.  I always use a bit of Big Bends Nut Sauce (no jokes! smile ) and I've haven't had any strings break in years!

Beer - you were just blending my two comments, I think they're separate issues/workarounds

1. heavier string gauge makes the neck need adjusting
2. wrapping around puts less tension at the bridge

- 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: Oklahoma
  • Registered: 2008-03-28
  • Posts: 263

Re: restringing my guitar

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:
Beerdog80 wrote:
NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

I think all you'll need is a neck adjustment. very minor one.

I was breaking strings on a certain LP of mine using 10's and when I did the "wrap around" the stings stopped breaking and they felt like 9's!

Well, that is usually not caused by the truss rod being too tight or loose...normally that is caused by burrs (foriegn objects) within the string guides themselves.  I always use a bit of Big Bends Nut Sauce (no jokes! smile ) and I've haven't had any strings break in years!

Beer - you were just blending my two comments.

1. heavier string gauge makes the neck need adjusting
2. wrapping around puts less tension at the bridge

Didnt catch the different gauge bit.  Going blind in my young age.

Don't play leapfrog with a unicorn