PDA

View Full Version : Tuning a wrap tail

Jeff Flowerday
05-22-2007, 12:10 PM
What is everyone doing when tuning a non intonatable bridge like the 54 Les Pauls?

I've been finding tuning at the 5 the fret seems to give me the best results all over the neck.

Mine intonates pretty close for the most part, only the A string is out. But because it is she's a little tempermental, and of course the G string is the G string.
nine
05-22-2007, 12:31 PM
My SG intonates okay except for the G string. I find I have to tune that one 10 cents (is that the term? one step on my tuner) flat to get it to sound okay both open and when fretted high.

I think that every guitar that has a fixed intonation wrap bridge has it's own little trick for sounding alright. It all depends on the bridge, your string gauge, how you pick and strum and other nuances of each particular guitar.
SCREEM
05-22-2007, 04:14 PM
you could possibly compensate the nut, but I guess what would work best is new strings every 10 hours play or so
Hamm Guitars
05-22-2007, 04:35 PM
You could try filing string slots into the bridge to change the breakpoint of the offending strings. If you have to add material to the bridge it could get pretty ugly.

Try it on a cheap replacement bridge first.
Jeff Flowerday
05-22-2007, 05:05 PM
You could try filing string slots into the bridge to change the breakpoint of the offending strings. If you have to add material to the bridge it could get pretty ugly.

Try it on a cheap replacement bridge first.

It's not that bad. It just takes a little more work finding a happy medium that works completely up and down the neck. Thought maybe someone would have a few tips.
nine
05-22-2007, 05:10 PM
I've searched all over for tips on that as well and the only one I've really found is trying different gauges on the offending strings. From what I've seen, a little tuning wonkiness is just the nature of the wraptail.
Lester B. Flat
05-22-2007, 07:35 PM
I think somebody is making a compensated wrap tailpeice.
nine
05-22-2007, 07:39 PM
I think somebody is making a compensated wrap tailpeice.

Oh yeah, there are quite a few intonatable tailpieces.
Metal#J#
05-22-2007, 08:29 PM
I agree with changing the offending sting with a lighter or heavier guage string. My acoustic had a g sting that was impossible to tune and after changing to a lighter guage, she was all good!
dwagar
05-23-2007, 12:40 AM
If you decide to change it, I'd recommend the pigtail adjustable, I've got one on my '60 MM, it's great.

http://www.wagarweb.com/lpf/mm3.jpg