When Changing Strings...

[IntelligentAl]

Well, I'm going to be changing the strings on my LP Studio in the next couple of days, but before I do, I have a question. Normally when I change the strings, I just slot them through the Stopbar Tailpiece as usual, but I have heard of people wrapping them around the Tailpiece instead. Apparently, it increases sustain, but is this true? Has anybody else done this?

 

Thanks for any comments!

[generation zero]

Never done it, but I would think it would decrease the pressure of the string on the bridge saddle, possibly causing problems if your bridge height isn't high enough to compensate.

 

Unless you wrap them under the tailpiece, in which case the opposite would be true... But I don't know how that would affect the sustain, because then you would be increasing the upward pressure on the tailpiece.

 

I guess it's worth a try... It's not like it's an irreversable mod. Worst case, you're out the cost of a set of strings.

[IntelligentAl]

Fair point, GZ. I'll give it a try as soon as I find another set of strings. Like you said, if it doesn't work then there's no harm done. Thanks for the quick reply!

[ef_in_fla]

Here's some folks talking about doing it.

 

LINK

[generation zero]

Oops, repost... Mods, delete this please.

[IntelligentAl]

Having read the thread posted by ef_in_fla, it sounds like it is a matter of opinion. Therefore, I shall try it. The only thing I am worried about is wear and tear on the tailpiece. If I do like top wrapping, then I may find myself having to buy a new tailpiece...

 

Before I do try it, though, let me just make sure I do it right and don't make any mistakes. So, first, I need to lower the tailpiece as low as it will go. Is that right? Then I just feed the strings through the opposite way and continue stringing them as normal?

 

Thanks again!

[TWANG]

I don't really believe it will increase sustain.

But you could get a wraparound bridge to fit the tail, then the string would break over a seperate set of saddles instead of

scratching up your chrome tail.. which is all I think this will do.

 

TWANG

[IntelligentAl]

I suppose if I'm just going to mess up the tailpiece, it's probably not worth it. After all, I was just curious and it does seem stupid to scratch it when there probably won't be much difference... Oh well, I'll look into a wraparound tailpiece like you said Twang. If they aren't too expensive it might be worth getting one. otherwise, I think I might just give the whole idea a miss.

[snookelputz]

Bending a note feels easier (finger pressure) top-wrapped, but I don't think I can bend a note as FAR (pitch change). Strings have a softer, maybe looser, feel overall. Very much like a trapeze compared to a stoptail.

[TWANG]

the only ones I've found.. stop tailpiece with the saddle type top.. is usa thread studs and 3 1/4" spacing..

 

 

there's an economy tailpiece in chrome.. 16.00 list.. so that's a cheap way to find out if you like it. It's a smooth top.

 

 

you can raise the tailpiece or lower it.. so the effect of having it with a large or small angle is already built in..

[Steven Lister]

...but I have heard of people wrapping them around the Tailpiece instead. Apparently' date=' it increases sustain, but is this true? Has anybody else done this?[/quote']

Most who've tried it agree = True

-- sustain is increased

-- tone is slightly enhanced/fuller

-- string breakage may also be lessened.

 

Several pros use this "over-the-top" method -- Billy Gibbons - ZZ Top may be the most prominent.

 

Played my Elite LP for 4 yrs. before going over the top and I really like the results.

CAUTION -- strings will mark the tailpiece finish. I put my original away and used an aftermarket one ($15) in case I ever sell my tremendous 2003 Epi Elite honeyburst (not a chance).

 

Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-"

[ksuwins]

I string my guitar using this method. I do it out of habit more than anything else. I can't attest to the sustain, though my LP Std seems to have a ton of it. I'm going to string it the "regular" way this week and see if I notice anything.

 

And btw - I wouldn't worry too much about the the bar getting scratched up. Mine has some marks on it, but it's nothing anyone will notice. But I'm the type that really doesn't mind some "character" marks.

[layboomo]

The real benefit is that it makes bending easier and reduces string breakage. Any increase in sustain is due to the fact that you can crank more stud into the body which increases the surface area of energy transfer rather than any benefit from actually wrapping the strings around the tail. Joe Bonamessa also uses this method and breaks far less strings on his Les Pauls this way.

[tulsaslim]

I finally tried it on one of my LP Studios & quite frankly didn't notice any difference.

[wrighty3693]

First things first if you use the stop tailpiece as a wrapover bridge you have to lock the stoptail down as far as possible to increase

sustain. Second This can acctually improve your guitars setup when done properly because the tension on the neck gets decreased

because the tailpiece is lower.

[Stig]

I've been playing a long time (since about 1977), and owned a lot of guitars. This just sounds silly unless it's a tailpiece that is designed to work that way.

[TWANG]

I think I'll give it a shot on blondy.

I have her old gold bridge, mostly worn plating now, so a few scratches wont hurt anything.

some of the arguments for it seem to make sense... and I'd pay attention to the Rev as well as Lay anytime.

So.. I'll see what happens.

 

gonna wait till these strings gostart to go bad though. No sense abusing new strings.

TWANG

[IntelligentAl]

Thanks for all the replies, guys!

 

Since Christmas is just a few days away (Yay!) I have decided to wait a little while to try wrapping the strings. With a bit of luck, I will have a bit more cash with which to spend on a second tailpiece for my LP in the new year. Since they are so cheap, I will buy one of those and if it gets messed up it isn't really that big of a deal.

 

There seem to be a lot of different opinions on the subject. Maybe it is just down to the individual guitar. Some respond to it, some don't.

[RSDx]

Hmmmmmm .... I don't top-wrap, my stopbar is cranked down all the way, there's no string contact with the back of the bridge, my sustain's fine by me, and I don't have a habit of breaking strings (bending ?? hell yeah !!! Breaking ??...nah - Only string I've broken in almost a year was the original high E string the guitar shipped with...). I can appreciate it as an alternative look/method, but I see no real advantage, personally.... perhaps I'll give it a try some day/one day, just not right now, since Miss Honey feels JUST RIGHT in my hands these days (other than bridge retaining wire rattle, but...that's for another day )

[pohatu771]

I rarely break strings... and never while playing. I can probably count the number of times:

 

1. First time I changed the strings on my Strat.

2. When a dumb kid thought he could use the trapeze on my Casino as a tremolo

3. Changing strings on my other Strat - believe it or not, it broke while I was taking the strings off.

 

 

I think that's every time... I don't remember any others.

[IntelligentAl]

Awww, man. I must be doing something wrong! I break strings all the time. I've only played a few years, but have already lost count of how many times it has happened. It happened to me yesterday, for crying out loud!