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Post by dgassie on Jun 16, 2004 20:36:00 GMT -5
I've heard it both ways... if you raise the tailpiece, you'll get more sustain and the strings will be softer. If you tighten the tailpiece against the guitar, you'll get more sustain. Once and for all...which is right?  Thanks, Dan |
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Post by supedupviper on Jun 16, 2004 22:02:08 GMT -5
My theory is: leave it at its factory setting
you cant go wrong there
as for raising it or lowering the tailpiece, I have no idea. Kind of like tailwrapping your strings, so they have less of an angle coming into the bridge, some say it adds sustain, some say you lose sustain
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Post by Steelpriest on Jun 17, 2004 2:04:00 GMT -5
My theory is: The lower the tailpiece is the bigger the angle of the strings is before they are led over the bridge. Thus should increase the amount of pressure the strings put on the bridge and so it should be best for sustain. By the way: I noticed on all of my guitars, that the factory setting is always the same: The tailpiece is lowest as possible.  This "wrap-around method" is in my opinion pretty senseless on guitars with a standard tailpiece and tunamatic bridge. You only have a flatter angle when you lead the strings over the bridge that way (so you actually should lose sustain) and you damage the surface of your tailpiece.  And the wrapping does not look very cool, hehe! ;D |
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Post by CAFeathers on Jun 17, 2004 12:18:13 GMT -5
Truth be it that sustain is increased when the guitar becomes more solid. Screwing the tailpiece (stopbar) posts into the guitar farther would make the guitar more solid, thusly increasing sustain.
HOWEVER, there is a delicate balance between the stopbar and bridge. If the stopbar is too low and the strings hit the back of the bridge it can cause problems with tuning (intonation) and string buzz for starters.
Optimum setup would be done by first setting the bridge height (action) then moving the stopbar either up or down until the strings just clear the bridge in back.
My personal opinion is: If you don't have to move the bridge/stopbar for any reason other than you want to, just leave it where it is.
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Post by dgassie on Jun 17, 2004 12:45:40 GMT -5
So... the tailpiece should be screwed in as much as possible to increase sustain but the strings shouldn't touch the back of the bridge. Then I guess that's why some guys wrap the strings around the tailpiece. That decreases the strings angle, makes for a softer feel up on the neck while still keeping the tailpiece firmly anchored.
Sound right???
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Post by CAFeathers on Jun 17, 2004 13:56:35 GMT -5
>>>So... the tailpiece should be screwed in as much as possible to increase sustain but the strings shouldn't touch the back of the bridge.<<<
Yes, That is correct.
>>>Then I guess that's why some guys wrap the strings around the tailpiece. That decreases the strings angle, makes for a softer feel up on the neck while still keeping the tailpiece firmly anchored.<<<
I do not believe in tailwrapping. If you want a softer feel, get your guitar setup with the action as low as possible with a light guage string, then tune down 1/2 step or 1 full step.
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Post by dgassie on Jun 17, 2004 14:26:49 GMT -5
All right. Thanks very much for the good advice.
Dan
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Post by theboatcandream on Jul 10, 2004 7:02:36 GMT -5
I wrap my strings around the back of the stopbar and then over the bridge. Doing it gave me more sustain.
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Post by dgassie on Jul 10, 2004 9:23:50 GMT -5
What type of guitar did you do the string wrap on? Has it affected the feel of the strings on the fretboard?
Regards,
Dan
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Post by theboatcandream on Jul 10, 2004 9:25:01 GMT -5
What type of guitar did you do the string wrap on? Has it affected the feel of the strings on the fretboard? Regards, Dan It's a 7 string les paul. Bends are easier. |
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This "wrap-around method" is in my opinion pretty senseless on guitars with a standard tailpiece and tunamatic bridge. You only have a flatter angle when you lead the strings over the bridge that way (so you actually should lose sustain) and you damage the surface of your tailpiece. 
And the wrapping does not look very cool, hehe! ;D
