Anyone top wrapping your SG's?

[MrBurst]

Just wondering if it makes a tonal difference. I read in another thread were someone said it fattens up the tone. I tried it on my Les Paul with some 11's but abandon it and went back to 10's. I've never tried it with 10's.

[xjustice09x]

I don't know about fattening up the tone, but it does change the feel a little. I top wrap my SG supreme, and my Les Paul smartwood exotic.

[MrBurst]

Ok I just did it and I love it. It's a little easier to play but the tail piece kind lunges forward a bit.

[RockMantis73]

i top wrapped my '70's (forget exact year) SG recently, it really made the G thru high E strings really stand out... i used it a 2 practices ago, straigt thru an Orange rockerverb 100, it just stands out unbelievably. i started top wrapping every thing a few weeks ago with positive results

[phat A]

I topwrap my SG Classic -as I do my other stop tailpiece Les Pauls. I don't detect any tonal difference with any of them when topwrapping. What I'm after is the feel of the break angle over the bridge. I don't like strings dropping off behind the bridge too steeply, and I DO notice a positive tonal change when the stop tailpiece posts are screwed all the way down tightly against the body.

[RockMantis73]

i screwed down all the stoptail/tune-o-matic bridges but one guitar is just a compensated stoptail and had to keep it where it was to keep from getting fret buzz, but i still hear a difference in the unwound strings.

[kharrison]

Yes, I have no choice with my 63 SG/LP Jr.

[JRW8214@AOL.COM]

Originally Posted by phat A

I topwrap my SG Classic -as I do my other stop tailpiece Les Pauls. I don't detect any tonal difference with any of them when topwrapping. What I'm after is the feel of the break angle over the bridge. I don't like strings dropping off behind the bridge too steeply, and I DO notice a positive tonal change when the stop tailpiece posts are screwed all the way down tightly against the body.

I feel the same way. I like my stop tailpieces flat aganst the body. And i also top wrap for that reason(that and it looks better)

[Jeffrec]

I started top wrapping my '61 LP/SG reissue and LP Custom a while ago. It certainly helps with buzzing and I think it improves sustain (maybe just wishfull thinking). I've also switched to .011's. Don't know if that makes a huge difference.

With an old '69 Goldtop I had back in the day (about 36 years ago), I had to top wrap to avoid buzzing. but then again, I knew next to nothing about set-ups.

[Jeffrec]

Originally Posted by JRW8214@AOL.COM

I feel the same way. I like my stop tailpieces flat aganst the body. And i also top wrap for that reason(that and it looks better)

Yeah. Having the tailpiece against the body is the way to go. Much better sustain.

[Dr H Lecter]

Yes, I have always topwrapped my SGs, and I find that it adds more warmth and sustain quite considerably. Of course, if you really want to add sustain to an SG, then screwing down the stop-bar so that it is tight against the body will do the trick - which is one of the reasons why I topwrap them in the first place!

Good luck in finding the tone that you are searching for!

[Jeffrec]

Originally Posted by Dr H Lecter

Yes, I have always topwrapped my SGs, and I find that it adds more warmth and sustain quite considerably. Of course, if you really want to add sustain to an SG, then screwing down the stop-bar so that it is tight against the body will do the trick - which is one of the reasons why I topwrap them in the first place!

Good luck in finding the tone that you are searching for!

The other thing I did was remove the Kluson-style tuners and put on Grover locking tuners. This adds weight and sustain (plus, the Klusons sucked and wouldn't hold tune)

[Mark Doebrich]

I've been top wrapping my SG Classic (p-90's) since the first string change three years ago and like it. I'm using EB pure nickel 11's. Yes, the tailpiece is lowered to the posts/wood.

Mark

[SurfGuitar141]

Interesting.......

I'll have to try this with my SG Faded Special......thanks for the idea....

[SurfGuitar141]

I re-strung my SG over wrapping the tail piece, played it this way for a couple days now. I can't say that I can hear any real change in the tone, but it certainly has increased the sustain.....

For the record my SG is a Faded Special, I put nickle covers on the stock pickups, and I play it through a Fender Blues Jr.

[zombiwoof]

I tried it on my SG Standard, and didn't like it. Changed it back a couple of days later. And contrary to what everyone says, it actually made the string tension feel stiffer on that guitar. I guess it depends on the guitar and the player, the best thing to do is just try it and see how you like it. Easily reversed.

Al

[CharliePorter]

I agree with Zombiewoof - I've tried it on my SG Standard and Les Pauls a couple of times and I just don't like it. The strings felt stiffer, sustain was reduced, and the tone suffered.

I now use conventional, "thro stop-piece", stringing exclusively - however, I raise the stop-piece until all the strings are well clear of the back of the bridge, and then raise the bridge a little further - this results in a significantly looser feel to the strings without compromising either sustain or tone.

Regards,

Charlie.

[RockMantis73]

i'm surprised to see posts saying the strings feel stiff, mine feel slinky and loose, and bending is nice and smooth

[zombiwoof]

Originally Posted by RockMantis73

i'm surprised to see posts saying the strings feel stiff, mine feel slinky and loose, and bending is nice and smooth

As I said, it seems to depend on the guitar, and how your tailpiece was set when it was setup the conventional way.

Al

[sharq attaq]

Well, this isn't exactly what you're talking about (I presume you're talking about a stoptail with a tunematic of some sort), but....

I had my stripped down '64 Jr refinned and the bridge type changed from the hideous design with the vibrola tailpiece and lightning bar "bridge" (really a tailpiece, IMO), to a stoptail (using the same lightning bar).

now, I have nothing against the vibrola really. But it must be used with a stationary bridge. I could never keep this thing intonated or in tune...even without using the trem. It was awful, and I couldn't stand to play it.

When I got it back, I was overjoyed. It's actually a great guitar now. It intonates, it stays in tune, the feel is sooo much more solid (not stiff, I don't get that....) and more toneful.

Night and day.

Before....



After....



In your case (I think), it's really simple to try it. If you don't like it...5 bucks for a new set of strings.

[Dr H Lecter]

Originally Posted by sharq attaq

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations, Sharq Attaq, my friend - that is one incredible looking axe! White SG Juniors have always been one of my favourite guitars!

Play the hell out of it!

[RockMantis73]

there is just something about a white sg jr., that is fab
it looks like you have the bridge screwed all the way down on the bass side, and the treble side is slightly higher.

[Pearly Gator]

I want to try the sound of a topwrap on my SG. However, I'm concerned that the strings scratch the top of the stop bar.? I don't want to scratch the chrome. Would a piece of cleat tape protect the stop?

Thanks!

[sharq attaq]

Originally Posted by Pearly Gator

I want to try the sound of a topwrap on my SG. However, I'm concerned that the strings scratch the top of the stop bar.? I don't want to scratch the chrome. Would a piece of cleat tape protect the stop?

Thanks!

If it's chrome...just trying it probably won't hurt it. If you don't like it...change back. If you do...who cares if it's scratched? There's a string hiding the marks.

[Pearly Gator]

If I don't like the top wrap, I will switch it back and don't want to see scratches.

[sharq attaq]

Originally Posted by Pearly Gator

If I don't like the top wrap, I will switch it back and don't want to see scratches.

did you even read....ehh, nevermind.