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GarMan · September 24th, 2008, 05:15 PM

I keep hearing Toploaders are inferior tonewise to String Through Teles? Is this a myth that needs busting, or is there some truth to this?

I don't think there will be that much difference myself...???

Opinions??!

MailMan · September 24th, 2008, 06:10 PM

Jeff Buckley played a Top-Loader, I guess that pretty much sums it up!

Though I believe the in theory the body should resonate more when the strings go through it. Which makes sense.

ajgus · September 24th, 2008, 06:10 PM

Where did I put that can of worms...

Beatbx · September 24th, 2008, 06:19 PM

There's no qualitative difference. I've got both and like them both for their individual attributes.

rocksteady Max · September 24th, 2008, 06:24 PM

top loader sounds better with rosewood neck

robt57 · September 24th, 2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocksteady Max

top loader sounds better with rosewood neck

I'd like to hear more on this theory/direction!!

Seriously

GarMan · September 24th, 2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajgus

Where did I put that can of worms...

newtwanger · September 24th, 2008, 06:43 PM

I'll try not to get too technical.

On a string-through design, the strings pass through the body which creates a slight warming effect on them, resulting in a "warmer" tone. since the ferrules hold the string ends more securely, you also get a "tighter" tone. Finally, the strings are forced to take a more radical bend at the saddle giving a far more "vintage" tone.

So string-through is warmer, tighter and vintagier than toploader. Or I could have that backwards.

robt57 · September 24th, 2008, 06:56 PM

I have one maple neck toploader, 2 rosewood toploaders, 4 maple string thrus.
My maple top loader is a 40 year old reclaimed pine 1-9/16" thick, so I think it just works due to that. And I am building a thinline rosewood with a bigsby, top loader.

I find it interesting I with out thinking really follow the rosewood toploader, maple string thru almost 100%, and mot sure counting the pine with the thin body counts really in the realm of the point. ;)

DMace · September 24th, 2008, 07:41 PM

I have both, and I'd like to say there's a difference, but unless you have two identical guitars (wood, hardware, pickups, age)- but for the bridge difference- it's really hard to determine how it affects the sound. I think string-throughs play a little with a more tension, but as far as sound, who knows. Put any Tele through a Fender on '10' and you'll be hard pressed to find a difference .

HOBBSTER01 · September 24th, 2008, 08:30 PM

Horse Hockey.
Anyone who can audibly tell the difference in a blind test is taking life way too seriously.

roadrider502 · September 24th, 2008, 08:44 PM

I have a older MIM top loader with a maple neck that sounds as good as my string through 52 & 62 RI's.

bendecaster · September 24th, 2008, 08:48 PM

"Anyone who can audibly tell the difference in a blind test is taking life way too seriously." +1

I'm with you Hobbster! I prefer string-through, as it is just what I'm accustomed to. I do own both types, and you're right, I couldn't tell the difference in a blind test!

tboy · September 24th, 2008, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOBBSTER01

Horse Hockey.
Anyone who can audibly tell the difference in a blind test is taking life way too seriously.

My Tele sounds quite different when I'm blindfolded.

Rocks · September 24th, 2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocksteady Max

top loader sounds better with rosewood neck

but of course this is only true on a body that weighs less than 4.3 lbs, with a thin relic'd finish so the body can breathe better....

(can of worms open and dumped on the table.....)

tboy · September 24th, 2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocks

but of course this is only true on a body that weighs less than 4.3 lbs, with a thin relic'd finish so the body can breathe better....

(can of worms open and dumped on the table.....)

What's the pH factor of that lacquer?

Gary in Boston · September 24th, 2008, 10:24 PM

I find there is more of a "feel" difference then a sound.

The top load is looser a bit more bouncey.

I could be argued that quality transfers through to the sound........ or not.

Gary

ajgus · September 24th, 2008, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOBBSTER01

Horse Hockey.
Anyone who can audibly tell the difference in a blind test is taking life way too seriously.

I disagree. I don't think their taking life seriously enough...

jason7001 · September 25th, 2008, 12:07 AM

String throughs sound better in the Southern Hemisphere, something to do with the magnetic pull of the earth (same logic determines the direction the water in the toilet rotates when you flush)

I'd even go so far as to say that all of you North of the Equator are wasting those fantastic instruments and, purely as a goodwill gesture on this forum, I'll offer to adopt those instrumnets and keep them down here in Antipodean Telecaster Heaven, at least until you see the light and move down here too!!

Looking forward to your replies

Jason
Australia

musicmatty · September 25th, 2008, 12:29 AM

I would like to chime in on this thread..as this is right in my line of sight. I have a Top loader with a Maple neck, a String thru with a Maple neck and a New Tele string thru body with a Maple neck that I just modified the bridge to be a Top loader also.

Of course the strings running thru the body tones it down..as some of the strings energy get transfered right back into the body cavity. With the Top loader, the string energy goes where..?? ..right back into the bridge plate where the string is anchored of course, therefore the sound is brighter and a bit jangly.

Metal strings thru a wood body or metal to metal thru the bridge plate, make for the 'coupling' which produces a certain sound for each stringing seto-up.

Personally, I love the Top load sound...very bright but amp settings and tone knobs can help craft a brilliant sound for that 'Jangly Tele. I'll try to post a pic in this post of mine...of my modified bridge plate. I top Load my A, G, and High E string thru the bridge plate and the Bass E, D, B strings thru the body...and this guitar sounds so nice..honestly. Hope this helps.

Here's a link for picture of my modified bridge..http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaste...ation-3-a.html

sultan59 · September 25th, 2008, 12:43 AM

I have a question about top loader saddles. My buddy had me look at his cheapo partscaster he got on eBay. I had never seen a toploader up close and found his kinda weird looking.
The string hole is underneath the saddle groove, you have to curve the string around the intonation screw to get it on top and in the saddle groove. Then, when I was putting new strings on it, the string kept wanting to slide off and back under the saddle. Seemed like a pretty poor design to me.

Are there better designed saddles or would he have to buy a whole new bridge plate?

I don't know what brand it is, couldn't find any markings on it.

musicmatty · September 25th, 2008, 01:01 AM

..."The string hole is underneath the saddle groove, you have to curve the string around the intonation screw to get it on top and in the saddle groove"

What you are describing above is NOT a 'Top loader'.. but a string thru body, which loads in the back of the guitar. The string comes right up under the Intonation screw and has to curve around it to go up on to the saddle.

If it was a top Loader, the strings would come thru the back of the bridge plate, along the left side of the long intonation screw and come right up on top of the grooved saddle...it's a STRAIGT shot from the hole in the bridge plate to the top of the saddle, if it's drilled right??...See my picture link in the post just before this to show what Im saying.

sultan59 · September 25th, 2008, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicmatty

..."The string hole is underneath the saddle groove, you have to curve the string around the intonation screw to get it on top and in the saddle groove"

What you are describing above is NOT a 'Top loader'.. but a string thru body, which loads in the back of the guitar. The string comes right up under the Intonation screw and has to curve around it to go up on to the saddle.

If it was a top Loader, the strings would come thru the back of the bridge plate, along the left side of the long intonation screw and come right up on top of the grooved saddle...it's a STRAIGT shot from the hole in the bridge plate to the top of the saddle, if it's drilled right??...See my picture link in the post just before this to show what Im saying.

I believe I can tell if a string is going thru the body or not, lol! It's not a straight shot, the hole in the back of the bridge plate where the string goes thru is underneath the saddle, you have to go around the intonation screw to get up on the saddle.

Encinitastubes · September 25th, 2008, 01:20 AM

Ry Cooder felt that you freed a Fender when you switched the bridge to a top loader. I dont' know about that, but I like Jim Campilongo's top-loaded tone.

sultan59 · September 25th, 2008, 01:23 AM

I realize I still haven't explained this very well. The string hole is on the lip of the bridge plate, underneath the end of the intonation screw.

hey musicmatty, just looked at the pic you mentioned. That looks like the way it should be, his string hole is more centered underneath the screw. Cheap piece of junk, I wonder what brand it is?

bowlfreshener · September 25th, 2008, 01:58 AM

I cannot really feel or hear any difference between my top-loader and my string-thrus. I'm sure there are some slight differences if I really took the time to get all scientific about it, but guitars are for playing, not scientific experiments

Jeri · September 25th, 2008, 02:11 AM

I got two white Teles.... One is a top loader and one stringthru.... they do sound pretty different so I guess the bridge does make a difference...

viking · September 25th, 2008, 03:18 AM

I have a cheap partscaster with a traditional toploading bridge. 3 brass saddles , intonation is real close. Body is a cheapo Johnson tele , dont know what kind of wood its made of , or how many pieces.It is light to medium weight. Neck is a Squier maple " custom " .

It is more or less assembled from all the crap parts I had left from other projects , the neck pocket fit is lousy , and the neck itself have a sideways curl. I did a quick level and crown job , and installed Squier Vintage Vibe pu´s.

This guitar , assembled from all the " wrong " parts , plays great , sounds great , and it rings through the whole house when Im strumming it unplugged. Its become my no 1 player , and I think of it every time I read about " tonewoods " , nitro vs poly , string through vs Toploader etc.....
I believe Ron Kirn is right , we should all practice more instead of thinking about all these things !

Steve G · September 25th, 2008, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowlfreshener

I cannot really feel or hear any difference between my top-loader and my string-thrus. I'm sure there are some slight differences if I really took the time to get all scientific about it, but guitars are for playing, not scientific experiments

+1

And Im sure there is something more essential to improving our playing we could focus on.

Like do you have to have brass saddles for that vintage tele tone?

varakeef · September 25th, 2008, 04:59 AM

During my Hipshot B-bender (with G bender) installation I had the possibility to try exact same guitar with all the same parts with some strings thru the body and some top loaded since I have a dual load bridge.

There's no difference in sound whatsoever that I am able to perceive. None. And not in feel either.

Now when I got further in installing process and got the hipshot in it's place I got even less brake angle for B and G strings over the saddle since I was too lazy to make notches to the bridge plate. Now things start to happen which are (it seems) to do with the less string angle. I loose some sustain and volume on G and B strings.

It seems it gets better when I rise the saddles, so probably I need to get neck shimmed a bit to be able to do that without compromising too much with the action.

araT · September 25th, 2008, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason7001

String throughs sound better in the Southern Hemisphere, something to do with the magnetic pull of the earth (same logic determines the direction the water in the toilet rotates when you flush)

I'd even go so far as to say that all of you North of the Equator are wasting those fantastic instruments and, purely as a goodwill gesture on this forum, I'll offer to adopt those instrumnets and keep them down here in Antipodean Telecaster Heaven, at least until you see the light and move down here too!!

Looking forward to your replies

Jason
Australia

+1

robt57 · September 25th, 2008, 10:48 AM

I am getting a bit weary of the practice nazzies and the sheep that follow.
Maybe it could be alright with folks to take the the Buck-o-caster approach in saying nothing at all in a thread that information is requested in when all you can say to that poster/request is it does not matter go practice.

Let's assume you actually don't care if that person gets better by practicing. what are those odds...

Unless you have actually used or use a top loader, well maybe you could say that before telling us to go practice and your opinion on the SUBJECT.

I feel like starting a poll to ask responders of question if they actually have practical experience, or if they are just repeating what someone they respect thinks and taking the credit for sounding like it is their own opinion from practical experience.

I only am ranting about this as the quality of the answers and their usefulness in reality may not be worth much when injected with conjecture.

The last choice in the poll would be "It does not matter, go practice" of course.

I gotta go practice...

Masterbuilt · September 25th, 2008, 11:03 AM

Case concluded....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntfdmMgLa3k

igorBG · September 25th, 2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtwanger

I'll try not to get too technical.

On a string-through design, the strings pass through the body which creates a slight warming effect on them, resulting in a "warmer" tone. since the ferrules hold the string ends more securely, you also get a "tighter" tone. Finally, the strings are forced to take a more radical bend at the saddle giving a far more "vintage" tone.

So string-through is warmer, tighter and vintagier than toploader. Or I could have that backwards.

I agree on this. I drilled holes on my topload MIM tele, put vintage bridge and experienced exactly the same effects as described here. Tighter strings are major difference, and sound improved a lot.

SatelliteOrders · September 25th, 2008, 11:26 AM

My Tele is a top-loader. I have only had it as a Tele. So, I don't really know how slinky string-through Teles are, beyond my trips to the guitar store. Well, yesterday, I played a friend's 1972 Custom and it was slinky, but I don't know his strings and such.

tboy · September 25th, 2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robt57

I feel like starting a poll to ask responders of question if they actually have practical experience, or if they are just repeating what someone they respect thinks and taking the credit for sounding like it is their own opinion from practical experience.
I gotta go practice...

I've had about 25-30 Teles through the years. Tops and through. I can't say I've been able to discern any distinct differences in sound, tension, feel, "vintage tone" (whatever that is) that is traceable to the way the strings are anchored. All of them have been different, and that may have contributed, but nothing one can point to.
I've had a 59 top load (sold now), and I now play a 59 through. Both are great, and sound and feel very similar.

ROADMAN · September 25th, 2008, 12:15 PM

robt57 · September 25th, 2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masterbuilt

Case concluded....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntfdmMgLa3k

Is his Esquire a Top Loader?

This has been posted before here, esquire thread I think.

Is it me, or is this Esquire not very Tele sounding. ?

dijos · September 25th, 2008, 12:50 PM

I have both, but with different bridge styles. I dind that the top-loader plays a wee bit more like my strat-it feels like looser string tension, and it is less twangy. However, it also has a different neck profile, neck radius and fret size than my 50's classic. I have never played 2 of the exact same teles , one top-load and one string through, so I can't really comment on how big a difference it really makes.

sorry for this useless post.

igorBG · September 25th, 2008, 01:30 PM

I'd like to add one more thing, since I was able to compare sound of the same tele with topload and then with string through bridge.
The difference between two Teles of any kind is much bigger then difference in sound after bridge conversion on the same Tele. It is a slight change in feel and in sound but you can feel it.
Also, keep in mind that there are two types on topload bridges (at least). First is 3 saddle Esquire vintage type which has good design, and second is found on Squiers and early MIM-s, which has really bad design. 6 small vintage saddles, strings are shifted to the side, string barrles are small, you have the same problems like with jazzmaster bridge, strings pop out of saddles, and these is amost no angle.

September 24th, 2008, 05:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
GarMan TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Austin TX Age: 35 Posts: 13	TopLoading Teles Vs. String Through Teles!? I keep hearing Toploaders are inferior tonewise to String Through Teles? Is this a myth that needs busting, or is there some truth to this? I don't think there will be that much difference myself...??? Opinions??!

September 24th, 2008, 06:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
ajgus Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 3,003	Where did I put that can of worms... __________________ "...it's just a wonderful sound..."- GE Smith

September 24th, 2008, 06:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
Beatbx Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL Age: 38 Posts: 324	There's no qualitative difference. I've got both and like them both for their individual attributes. __________________ -Joe http://www.myspace.com/celestialsrock http://www.myspace.com/handofthehost

September 24th, 2008, 06:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
rocksteady Max Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Montréal Age: 27 Posts: 940	top loader sounds better with rosewood neck __________________ *Don't Emulate : Stimulate !*

September 24th, 2008, 06:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
robt57 Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lost Yankee in Nashville Age: 52 Posts: 5,862 22 Photos	I have one maple neck toploader, 2 rosewood toploaders, 4 maple string thrus. My maple top loader is a 40 year old reclaimed pine 1-9/16" thick, so I think it just works due to that. And I am building a thinline rosewood with a bigsby, top loader. I find it interesting I with out thinking really follow the rosewood toploader, maple string thru almost 100%, and mot sure counting the pine with the thin body counts really in the realm of the point. ;) __________________ Leo's Great, Leo's Good, let us thank him for our... Twang!

September 24th, 2008, 06:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
MailMan TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 36	Jeff Buckley played a Top-Loader, I guess that pretty much sums it up! Though I believe the in theory the body should resonate more when the strings go through it. Which makes sense.

September 24th, 2008, 06:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
newtwanger Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Quebec, Canada Age: 45 Posts: 1,550 11 Photos	I'll try not to get too technical. On a string-through design, the strings pass through the body which creates a slight warming effect on them, resulting in a "warmer" tone. since the ferrules hold the string ends more securely, you also get a "tighter" tone. Finally, the strings are forced to take a more radical bend at the saddle giving a far more "vintage" tone. So string-through is warmer, tighter and vintagier than toploader. Or I could have that backwards.

September 24th, 2008, 07:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
DMace Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 2,996	I have both, and I'd like to say there's a difference, but unless you have two identical guitars (wood, hardware, pickups, age)- but for the bridge difference- it's really hard to determine how it affects the sound. I think string-throughs play a little with a more tension, but as far as sound, who knows. Put any Tele through a Fender on '10' and you'll be hard pressed to find a difference .

September 24th, 2008, 08:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
HOBBSTER01 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North GA. Age: 47 Posts: 1,625 4 Photos	Horse Hockey. Anyone who can audibly tell the difference in a blind test is taking life way too seriously. __________________ The Hobbster

September 24th, 2008, 08:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
roadrider502 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scranton, PA Age: 42 Posts: 247	I have a older MIM top loader with a maple neck that sounds as good as my string through 52 & 62 RI's.

September 24th, 2008, 08:48 PM	#13 (permalink)
bendecaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: maine Posts: 1,176	"Anyone who can audibly tell the difference in a blind test is taking life way too seriously." +1 I'm with you Hobbster! I prefer string-through, as it is just what I'm accustomed to. I do own both types, and you're right, I couldn't tell the difference in a blind test! __________________ The Demented 7th

September 24th, 2008, 10:24 PM	#17 (permalink)
Gary in Boston Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 1,131	Top load string through I find there is more of a "feel" difference then a sound. The top load is looser a bit more bouncey. I could be argued that quality transfers through to the sound........ or not. Gary

September 25th, 2008, 12:07 AM	#19 (permalink)
jason7001 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Australia Age: 39 Posts: 5	String throughs sound better in the Southern Hemisphere, something to do with the magnetic pull of the earth (same logic determines the direction the water in the toilet rotates when you flush) I'd even go so far as to say that all of you North of the Equator are wasting those fantastic instruments and, purely as a goodwill gesture on this forum, I'll offer to adopt those instrumnets and keep them down here in Antipodean Telecaster Heaven, at least until you see the light and move down here too!! Looking forward to your replies Jason Australia

September 25th, 2008, 12:29 AM	#20 (permalink)
musicmatty Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown Maryland Age: 42 Posts: 871 5 Photos	I would like to chime in on this thread..as this is right in my line of sight. I have a Top loader with a Maple neck, a String thru with a Maple neck and a New Tele string thru body with a Maple neck that I just modified the bridge to be a Top loader also. Of course the strings running thru the body tones it down..as some of the strings energy get transfered right back into the body cavity. With the Top loader, the string energy goes where..?? ..right back into the bridge plate where the string is anchored of course, therefore the sound is brighter and a bit jangly. Metal strings thru a wood body or metal to metal thru the bridge plate, make for the 'coupling' which produces a certain sound for each stringing seto-up. Personally, I love the Top load sound...very bright but amp settings and tone knobs can help craft a brilliant sound for that 'Jangly Tele. I'll try to post a pic in this post of mine...of my modified bridge plate. I top Load my A, G, and High E string thru the bridge plate and the Bass E, D, B strings thru the body...and this guitar sounds so nice..honestly. Hope this helps. Here's a link for picture of my modified bridge..http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaste...ation-3-a.html

September 25th, 2008, 12:43 AM	#21 (permalink)
sultan59 Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Whidbey Island Age: 50 Posts: 514	I have a question about top loader saddles. My buddy had me look at his cheapo partscaster he got on eBay. I had never seen a toploader up close and found his kinda weird looking. The string hole is underneath the saddle groove, you have to curve the string around the intonation screw to get it on top and in the saddle groove. Then, when I was putting new strings on it, the string kept wanting to slide off and back under the saddle. Seemed like a pretty poor design to me. Are there better designed saddles or would he have to buy a whole new bridge plate? I don't know what brand it is, couldn't find any markings on it.

September 25th, 2008, 01:01 AM	#22 (permalink)
musicmatty Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown Maryland Age: 42 Posts: 871 5 Photos	..."The string hole is underneath the saddle groove, you have to curve the string around the intonation screw to get it on top and in the saddle groove" What you are describing above is NOT a 'Top loader'.. but a string thru body, which loads in the back of the guitar. The string comes right up under the Intonation screw and has to curve around it to go up on to the saddle. If it was a top Loader, the strings would come thru the back of the bridge plate, along the left side of the long intonation screw and come right up on top of the grooved saddle...it's a STRAIGT shot from the hole in the bridge plate to the top of the saddle, if it's drilled right??...See my picture link in the post just before this to show what Im saying.

September 25th, 2008, 01:20 AM	#24 (permalink)
Encinitastubes Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Encinitas, California Age: 42 Posts: 173	Ry Cooder felt that you freed a Fender when you switched the bridge to a top loader. I dont' know about that, but I like Jim Campilongo's top-loaded tone.

September 25th, 2008, 01:23 AM	#25 (permalink)
sultan59 Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Whidbey Island Age: 50 Posts: 514	I realize I still haven't explained this very well. The string hole is on the lip of the bridge plate, underneath the end of the intonation screw. hey musicmatty, just looked at the pic you mentioned. That looks like the way it should be, his string hole is more centered underneath the screw. Cheap piece of junk, I wonder what brand it is?

September 25th, 2008, 01:58 AM	#26 (permalink)
bowlfreshener Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Age: 34 Posts: 2,062 6 Photos	I cannot really feel or hear any difference between my top-loader and my string-thrus. I'm sure there are some slight differences if I really took the time to get all scientific about it, but guitars are for playing, not scientific experiments __________________ RAMA LAMA FA FA FA

September 25th, 2008, 02:11 AM	#27 (permalink)
Jeri Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: brighton UK Posts: 227	I got two white Teles.... One is a top loader and one stringthru.... they do sound pretty different so I guess the bridge does make a difference...

September 25th, 2008, 03:18 AM	#28 (permalink)
viking Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denmark Age: 43 Posts: 652	I have a cheap partscaster with a traditional toploading bridge. 3 brass saddles , intonation is real close. Body is a cheapo Johnson tele , dont know what kind of wood its made of , or how many pieces.It is light to medium weight. Neck is a Squier maple " custom " . It is more or less assembled from all the crap parts I had left from other projects , the neck pocket fit is lousy , and the neck itself have a sideways curl. I did a quick level and crown job , and installed Squier Vintage Vibe pu´s. This guitar , assembled from all the " wrong " parts , plays great , sounds great , and it rings through the whole house when Im strumming it unplugged. Its become my no 1 player , and I think of it every time I read about " tonewoods " , nitro vs poly , string through vs Toploader etc..... I believe Ron Kirn is right , we should all practice more instead of thinking about all these things !

September 25th, 2008, 04:59 AM	#30 (permalink)
varakeef Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Finland Posts: 546 50 Photos	During my Hipshot B-bender (with G bender) installation I had the possibility to try exact same guitar with all the same parts with some strings thru the body and some top loaded since I have a dual load bridge. There's no difference in sound whatsoever that I am able to perceive. None. And not in feel either. Now when I got further in installing process and got the hipshot in it's place I got even less brake angle for B and G strings over the saddle since I was too lazy to make notches to the bridge plate. Now things start to happen which are (it seems) to do with the less string angle. I loose some sustain and volume on G and B strings. It seems it gets better when I rise the saddles, so probably I need to get neck shimmed a bit to be able to do that without compromising too much with the action. __________________ If you remove the noisy stuff inside the piano it makes a great house for a dog.

September 25th, 2008, 10:48 AM	#32 (permalink)
robt57 Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lost Yankee in Nashville Age: 52 Posts: 5,862 22 Photos	I am getting a bit weary of the practice nazzies and the sheep that follow. Maybe it could be alright with folks to take the the Buck-o-caster approach in saying nothing at all in a thread that information is requested in when all you can say to that poster/request is it does not matter go practice. Let's assume you actually don't care if that person gets better by practicing. what are those odds... Unless you have actually used or use a top loader, well maybe you could say that before telling us to go practice and your opinion on the SUBJECT. I feel like starting a poll to ask responders of question if they actually have practical experience, or if they are just repeating what someone they respect thinks and taking the credit for sounding like it is their own opinion from practical experience. I only am ranting about this as the quality of the answers and their usefulness in reality may not be worth much when injected with conjecture. The last choice in the poll would be "It does not matter, go practice" of course. I gotta go practice... __________________ Leo's Great, Leo's Good, let us thank him for our... Twang!

September 25th, 2008, 11:03 AM	#33 (permalink)
Masterbuilt Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: London,UK Posts: 357	Case concluded.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntfdmMgLa3k __________________ Did Leo make another guitar?

September 25th, 2008, 11:26 AM	#35 (permalink)
SatelliteOrders Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lafayette, IN Age: 39 Posts: 1,081 15 Photos	My Tele is a top-loader. I have only had it as a Tele. So, I don't really know how slinky string-through Teles are, beyond my trips to the guitar store. Well, yesterday, I played a friend's 1972 Custom and it was slinky, but I don't know his strings and such. __________________

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September 25th, 2008, 12:15 PM	#37 (permalink)
ROADMAN Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: delta b.c. canada Age: 54 Posts: 2,206

September 25th, 2008, 12:50 PM	#39 (permalink)
dijos Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. Pete Age: 35 Posts: 760	I have both, but with different bridge styles. I dind that the top-loader plays a wee bit more like my strat-it feels like looser string tension, and it is less twangy. However, it also has a different neck profile, neck radius and fret size than my 50's classic. I have never played 2 of the exact same teles , one top-load and one string through, so I can't really comment on how big a difference it really makes. sorry for this useless post. __________________ "Kid, it takes a long time"-Danny Kalb to me in NYC, 1992

September 25th, 2008, 01:30 PM	#40 (permalink)
igorBG Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Belgrade, Serbia Age: 32 Posts: 606 9 Photos	I'd like to add one more thing, since I was able to compare sound of the same tele with topload and then with string through bridge. The difference between two Teles of any kind is much bigger then difference in sound after bridge conversion on the same Tele. It is a slight change in feel and in sound but you can feel it. Also, keep in mind that there are two types on topload bridges (at least). First is 3 saddle Esquire vintage type which has good design, and second is found on Squiers and early MIM-s, which has really bad design. 6 small vintage saddles, strings are shifted to the side, string barrles are small, you have the same problems like with jazzmaster bridge, strings pop out of saddles, and these is amost no angle.