loved the playing at the beginning. I just started playing and I am working hard on sounding better. I bought a cheap tele with a toploader. I considered drilling the body to convert it... but now after hearing this I won't. Instead I'll just use the time saved to practice a bit more :)
What would it be like to load the low E, A and high E, through the body, and the D, G, and B Top loaded? Tighter snappier feel on the low notes, and high E, with a looser, rounder, and easier to bend feel in the middle. Would be cool to experiment with this Tele since you can do both? In general, I prefer the string through. Get the roundness and compression from the amp.
That’s how I set up my jazz bass. E and A through body, D and G top loaded. Can’t say much for the tone difference, but the tension feels better to me.
I just put a top loading bridge with 3 brass saddles on my Tele tonight. It originally had a modern 6 saddle. I must say it transformed the guitar, it definitely has a slinkier feel now, which appeals to me much better. I almost sold this guitar, but not now.
All the "advantages" you mentioned are reasons I love string-thru Teles - except for breaking strings and tuning instability, which I cannot confirm myself. As I basically watched this video to see if I'd get happy with a top-loader, this was very informative. Thanks.
I've played guitar for 50 years this Christmas (2022), I've won my share of guitar competitions, and I've built guitars for nearly as long as I've played. I only just recently got my first Tele, an astonishingly good copy, that has no string-through option. I was unsure about the top loading thing at first, but I've come to like it a lot. And from a purely theoretical/technical POV, you're spot on with all your observations. Too much angle is sometimes problematical, (intonation issues - to mention one you didn't) just as too little can cause a loss of sustain. But much of this is theoretical. It was good to actually hear the proof of the pudding. There is a difference. The top loader speaks more crisply and articulately. It's like the difference between a piano (string through) and a harpsicord (top loader). They both have their place. It's a matter of personal preference. Top loader works well for me.
Built a tele with an American professional ii body and neck and Lollar pickups. Thought it would sound great but I hated it. It was way too bright and messing with the volume and tone knobs didn't help. Then I remembered the prof ii has the option to top load and that made all the difference. The brittle highs were mellowed and it has a bit less snappiness but that's exactly what I was going for.
if you have to listen to the A/B to tell the difference, then just do the one you prefer. once you add some pedals on it, reverb, and an amp, there are plenty of things that will move your tone around more.
@@enriquemendez1507 sure. I am thinking of a friend who changed guitars, amps, etc and he liked it for a while but over time he kept sounding like his original tone. We talked about it one time and turns out that when he was in the store he woudl run the amp on all 5's and it sounded different, but then he woudl come home and adjust it until it "sounded right" and ended up with the same sound. your hands, strings, picks, and amp setting choices matter a lot. that's what I am saying. if you prefer the feel of one over the other, then go with that one and you can probably still get to a tone you like.
Manoman, I rarely hear differences in AB comparisons, yet still watch these videos. Your great playing made this one totally worth it! I use top load since it made the kit build easier, not disappointed in the least. Thanks
Many Tele saddles are really gentle to the strings with big radius round contact surface. There are no knife edges. I think that you could wrap the strings few times around the saddles without string breakage problems.
I think it's more the break angle not that it's sharp, as I can say I have snapped a lot of strings on my tele too and I am thinking of top loading to reduce string breaking.
String through sounded better to me in all the A/B comparisons, but there's no way I could tell without a direct A/B comparison. I love string through and sharp attack angle, but I also play way softer so it works out.
@@richsackett3423 I can tell the diff when A/B'ed, but doubt I could tell if they weren't being compared. If I played harder instead of softer, then the sharp attack angle might be too much. Sometimes I think a soft player with a trebly guitar ends up being a great combo.
@@tonybowen455 I see what you're saying. Still a bizarre standard, though. Instruments matter to the musician, not the audience. As a player, I don't care if my audience can tell one guitar from another. It's not their job.
Not contradictory at all. Tighter string tension played with a lighter touch is how many play their Tele’s including me. I like my strings to fight back a bit and give me some resistance. It does allow a crisper attack. I don’t care for too bendy, floppy strings. I don’t see how anyone can play hard on extra light strings. Too easy to bend sharp when playing chords.
I like string through. There is enough difference in volume and tone for me. But I think since we all play different, having the option is a fantastic idea!
What l do is thread the string through its own ball end, making a loop that l hook directly onto the brass barrel. This is the shortest possible string length and makes bending up to four and a half tones a breeze.
Great video sir, I'm looking to buy one of these and didn't know the difference between the two loading methods which you have eloquently explained. Thank you from the UK
same here! because it's massive and thus retains the depth and dynamics that you lose with a standard tele bridge top-loaded, AND the slinky feel is still there. G&L have made great add-on inventions for the classic Fender line.
About the saddleheigt: Increasingthe neck angle with some shims will allow you to raise the saddles, and the action will still be the same. A lot of people do this on jazzmasters.
A lot of Fenders have micro tilt neck adjustments, so you don’t even need a shim. Strangely, I’ve noticed this feature disappearing from high end Fenders though
I actually prefer lower saddles which means pickups deep in the pickguard and shielding is more effective. It makes the pickups almost noiseless. If the pickups stick out a lot it means they are not shielded well.
My first Fender Telecaster is a 1992 MIM with a toploader bridge and I wasnt even aware of when I got one. And it is my favorite guitar still to this day. :)
After heat gunning the plastic off the body, I'm about to nitro and vintage top loader bridge one of those. I'm sacrilegious so I've beveled the tummy cut and forearm area. Great guitars .
Great video -- I whole heartedly agree with *almost* everything Jay says here. Lots of real info and no mythology or nonsense when it comes to the differences between top-loaders vs. string-though. The only point I disagree with is...I absolutely prefer everything about the string-throughs. I like the sound, I like the feel -- it's what I want a tele to be! But music is absolutely about finding your thing and making it work for you, so if a top-loaded tele (or a hard-tail strat, for that matter) is your thing, go for it!
Fascinating video Jay! Thanks! I made my transition to the Tele, not from the steel-string acoustic, but from the nylon-string classical. That is why I prefer top loading Teles over through-body loading Teles. It's a no-brainer really. Both sound and feel of the toploader are closest to sound and feel of the classical. Later I started replacing my top-loading Tele bridges with top-loading one-part post-based bridges. They look a bit like Gibson LP Junior wraparounds, except you don''t 'wrap' your strings, but 'thread' them from the top, instead. I wanted a lot more 'Hint of Classical', and I got it that way! They are the 'Dorian' bridges. There's a few low picture quality lab demos of them I keep on my YT channel. You can have a look and a listen if you want. You mentioned string break angle at the witness point. You're right: the angle is fairly sharp when you load your strings Through Body, and is rather shallow, when you load your strings from the top. But that's not the only physical difference in play, since there's also the Tail Portion to consider: the length of the string between attachment point and witness point. The Tail Portion' is a lot shorter when you top-load, than when you through-body-load. The shorter Tail Portion shares the responsibility for the 'slinky-bouncy feel' equally with the more shallow break angle at the witness point. If you want to avoid the one string feeling a lot slinkier than the string next to it, try 'Equalised Tension' strings, or 'Balanced Tension' strings. In my set, each of the six strings pulls seven kilos. They sound equally bouncy, but feel less slinky. Not because the strings are less elastic, but because the Big E, the D, and the B no longer feel like a sudden drop in tension, coming from the strings adjacent to them.
There must also be something in the fact that when top-loaded, the strings are mounted directly onto the metal plate that the saddles and the bridge pickup are screwed on to? As in all the vibrations from the strings get transferred through not just the saddles but also the mounting holes and it must all feed through the tray and into the pickup to give you a slightly different sound, even if just a tiny bit? Just a theory, I'm probably talking rubbish XD
I'm lucky to have a bridge that allows top loading (Trevor Wilkinson) and I'm definitely going to give it a try. Thanks for the video and keep up the good work!
Hi Hans. Did you top load the strings with your Wilkinson bridge? Did you find any differences? I am in the same position with a Wilkinson bridge at the moment. Thanks in advance.
3:18 My hat! That’s about the same as the wraparound thing with tune-o-matic stop bars, mainly with Gibsons. People also say that having smaller break angle over the TOM when wrapped around gives a feeling of easier to bend strings.
Excellent vid dude.. you totaly answered my question and very happy as I have the top load type. Thanks so much you do a top notch job - keep up the good work!!
I just bought a Leo Jaymz DIY Tele kit. It has a top load bridge and I was wondering if I was going to have to drill through it to make it string through. Seeing this video is very reassuring. If Jimmy Page uses one then I am fine with it!
Perfect timing on this video - I happen to be researching toploaders for a thinline build. I had no idea the difference was that big on the tone. I looooove the slightly beefier and strat-like tone. I own several teles but no toploaders yet, and now I am even more excited for this one! Thanks. :)
I'm a bit late to the conversation but I just bought a g&l espada (the one with the split P-bass style pickups) and it's a top loaded guitar. It sustains forever, no string through needed. Those g&l bridges really do the magic ✨ best guitar I've ever had 😍
I think top loaded works well if you do pedal steel type bends all over the place, saves the finger tips. But if you play very aggressive it may feel a little " rubber band " like to some. Both sound great though.
I’ve got two top loaders yet I’ve always gone string through the body. I will eventually try the other way. I am already happy with how they both sound so I haven’t felt the need to do so.
I bought a Squier Mustang HH about 1.5 years ago w/a top loading bridge, and I agree - the sound is softer & the strings slinkier - especially since the Mustang is 24” scale. I swapped out the pups to Alnico II lower output HB’ers. Real fun guitar now.
From Leo: There are a lot of people that think the Les Paul guitars are the best in every category, and they are top loading. I have top load only Tele's, string through only, and a couple that can string either way. They all play fine, I like the top load setup.
@LanceJordan you can change the break angle on a top load tele as well, it's just less convenient. Shim the neck (bridge side of pocket) and raise the saddle height screws to increase break angle. Reduce the shim or reverse shim (headstock side of pocket) and drop the saddles to reduce break angle. A lot of people don't understand how easy it is to use shims to adjust optimal bridge height and break angle on Fenders. I'm very used to it because of being a longtime Jazzmaster player.
yep. nailed it. on every point. I have a '59 top loader and a '68 thin line (through body), and have played a lot of them; particularly, the '59 is easier to bend and the attack is sweeter. not a huge difference but noticeable if you know Tele's...
i built a fender Tele parts caster using a mix of mexican and american parts. The bridge is a top loader, i figured lets give it a try and to my surprise the guitar sounds very good & plays great. xcellent tuning stability, it is hard to explain but it just makes playing it much more comfortable at least that's how i feel. cheers..
Top load for my Tele Deluxe. My favorite guitar tone. More of a rocker between the top load and the buckers. Sold my LP after doing so. Way lighter and more comfortable to play. And I don't have to handle it like a museum piece. And it stays in tune better. And............
I love the way my top loader plays,I do have a string thru Tele too,and the strings feel way too tight, slinky strings are not only easy to bends,but it's easier to grab chords too,what you give up is a little more sustain and a slight bit of punch,there was a noticeable difference, top load sounded a little brighter but subdued,kind of like screwing a pickup all the way down,I can live with the slight drop in tone,for that wonderful playability.
Cool video Jay, as usual, and very informative. I have a Japanese squier tele from the eatly 90's which is a top load bridge model also. And I love it! And now, I know more why I love it. Thanks.
I just did an A/B comparison yesterday, and picked the strings through bridge. I liked the sound better, and didn't know why. Now I do, thanks to your video.
Slightly prefer the string through body sound. It has plenty of twang but also more clarity and warmth, at least to my ear. I have a G&L tele with MFD p90s that is top load only but I feel the extra tonal brightness kinda evens out the darkness of p90 style pickups. They all sound great though, nice playing!
Thanks for a great and valuable demonstration and explanation. I don't make it through most explanatory tubes because they tend to waste a lot of time. But this was on point from beginning to end. I feel like I really learned important relevant new information. So that is a good sign. I think.
The top loader sounds thinner. However, that can be somewhat compensated with EQ and right hand, picking, technique. Top loaders are just simpler. That's appealing in itself. Plus, if you break a string, on a gig, do you really want to be trying to fish a string through a hole in the back of the guitar? Top loaders simplify changing a string in a hurry. Thanks for taking the time and energy to produce this video. It's a good one.
I wonder if anyone has ever tried to mix them up, ie: string thru on the basses and top load on the trebles, or even vice versa? Could make for an interesting blend?
Thanks for the great explanation on the top-loader bridge. I have a Fender 75th Anniversary commemorative telecaster and recently noticed it has the top-loader option. Next string change i'll be trying it out. It does feel stiff with 10's, looking forward to the top load to loosen it up a bit.
Just bought a used Mexican Tele top load..tried through bodies as well. Noticed what you're saying, tried 3 teles, oldest, cheapest and top load was the winner....likewise, go to your local music shop and buy used!
Great videos, I just seen these last 2 because I have a Pro 2 Tele and it's through body right now and I'm glad I found your videos as well because your playing is very refreshing
The difference you feel isn't the break angle, it's the length of the string under tension. The strings under tension on a through-body tele are ~1.5" longer than on a top-loader.
Hello Jay, I think the top loader has more low end and gives you a thicker tone. The string thought the body has a brighter attack. They both sound good. I was going to buy a telecaster and trying to decide on which type to get. I like the sound of both so the deciding factor is going to be how it actually plays. The comfort of playing a certain body style, weight, the feel of the radius of the fretboard and neck profile all have to be considered.
I don't find string breakage problems. the top loader and one of mine has a bigsby has slightly less sustain but my back loaders have better sustain and warmer tone.
I also break a LOT of strings due to the same issue as you Jay, I gig a LOT down here in SWFL, so this info is VERY informative, thanks!!! I've never been much of a Tele guy until I bought a cheap Squier bullet, & I just fell in love with the feel & tone, especially using the pickup switch in the middle, love that funky tone!!! I just subbed to your channel, you ROCK BROTHER!!! Be safe, Rock On & God Bless!!!
The day i can play so hard that i can break strings due to the break angle of a bottom loader... I'll be super happy! JLJ is the best guitarist on Earth!
Nice video and very well explained! It made me want to try top-loading my Tele! However, I actually preferred the string-through-body sounds in the little comparison at the end. I think the extra punch and transient attack gave it a bit more clarity and balls.
I love the feel of a top-loaded tele but in my experience two things make it an "only at home" kind of set up. 1.) doesn't seem to hold tuning nearly as well 2.) big bends always slip out. even with In-tune (slotted) saddles I always lose push the string out of the slot. Both my tele's have 11-52's so on paper top-loadings would be great, but I've just never been able to depend on it enough to use it live.
Thank you! I always prefered the feel of the top-load but never compared the tone directly. Interesting that there is a difference. But I think I prefer top-load tone too, because it feels that it will take less EQing for the mix, because top-load sounds a bit "less" and therefore clearer in a good way, more mix ready in my opinion.
as an acoustic player I only play pin-less bridges like on Lowden guitars (Ireland). The Martins and Gibsons have the issue of the 90 degree angle and the pins. On good acoustics you will definitely hear the big difference! If you still have doubts just think of the strings on violins or even in pianos … no harsh angles !
With a situation where the saddles are decked to the bridge plate, one can always flat shim up the neck pocket and get that lower/lowest action with the bolt on necks. I had to do that with a Squier Bullet SSS HT Stratocaster top loader and the break angle was at maximum hold down tension because the saddle feet post screws were at the top of the saddles after shimming the neck pocket. That's another advantage to full neck pocket shimming, is that you eliminate the sharp edges of those screws when they are sticking up thru the top of the saddles when the saddles are lowered for lower/lowest action height. Basically you're raising the fretboard & maintaining the neck pocket and heel neck angle. Some guitars while they look the same for brand & model, the wood was not lathed identically & the polyurethane finish are of varying thicknesses. One guitar is not identical to another. Especially true with lower priced & mass produced guitars that any of them have a wider range of tolerances for manufacture & QC checks. they aren't crappy guitars, just that the tolerances are less strict and that passed QC easier than the better made instruments. With optimal string break angle with a top loader, the tuning stability is better for it. Another thing, when one raises & lowers the saddles (screw adjustments), heel of the neck (shimming), make sure to check the pickups for height, because the string height not only changes in relation to the fret board from last fret to the nut, but the strings may be closer or further away from the pickup poles. What one moves the string height also has to be adjustable for pickup heights.
Awesome video Jay, I just landed in the Philippines a couple of months ago and couldn’t handle not having a Tele to play for 3 months so I bought a locally made Tele top loader, it sounds and plays great , imho I reckon it plays just as good as the other thru body teles I have in Australia., thanks again.
I like the top loader. To me, its sounds more lively and doinky which i love. the string through sounds more dense and solid and not as lively...to me at least. But , i bet it depends on a number of factors on the particular guitar
You have a great point there JLJ...I owned a top load and people commented on the great tones it got. I had never had a string through so I didn't know the difference then until you pointed this out.
Fascinating video. I agree about the sound differences. Personally, I prefer the string-through sound. Great to have the option on models like the American Pro II.
Made decent arguments. I think my bridge has the option. I can see how it would be slinkier. Feel like you could get some string slippage at the saddle though depending on what you have and what tuning you use, etc. I drop my Tele or open tune a lot just because hardtails are always easier for that.
I fully get what you're saying, but some may argue that the sharper angle into the body truly insures a sure connection of the string to the bridge and, of course, the string thru adds to more sustain.But either way, Teles have a solid, proven reputation. I know, I have a '77 Fender Tele bass, and the string thru set up gives me hours of sustain! :-) Thanks for the video and some good input!!
Thought the thru body sounded better. More snarl. I had a knock off top load tele and the strings actually rolled in my fingers.. was not a good thing but I'm sure his American tele doesn't do the same
I'll take a top loader any day over the string through. It's not my imagination, I can bend a lot easier on a top loader ... (backed up by this video.) I have been waiting for someone to address this. It's good it know ....I'm only half crazy!
Think of it this way: it is harder to play on the 7th fret of a high action guitar than a low action guitar even though that fretted note is under the same tension on both guitars.
I would like to replace the original hardtail bridge on my Tele with an ashtray style top loader. I was told that the old screw holes in the body will be visible, anyone can tell if this is so?
I have not yet played a Top-Load Telecasters, I will give it a try. I do agree some of the points in this video. To my ear, string through body => Sharp sound, powerful dynamic. string through bridge => warm/round, more gentle sounding coming out.
If I'm not mistaken, the only Fender Telecaster that comes stock with top-loading is the Squier Affinity. I have one, and I have a Squier Standard Tele which is strung through the body. I like them both. My only problem with top-loaded Teles is that when you're changing strings on one with six block saddles, you must somehow thread the string through the hole in the back of the bridge, under the saddle, and then up through the hole in the saddle, all without being able to see what you are doing -- six times. It's a finicky job that really tests your patience.
Maaan you really nailed it! I hear defenetely a difference and it's true, the top load is more straty. I'm tele player and I'll defenetly try top load the next time I re-string it.
I have a top load 96 Mexican tele that really rocks for a Mexican tele! When I heard your comparison it’s clear that top load sounds much closer to the authentic old school tele sound.
I have a 94 MIM with a toploader bridge. I don't know, I've had it a few years now and I can't seem to get used to it.I miss my old ash body with the STB. I'm sure that I will go back to it at some point. Toploader would be good for Flatwoods, but I don't use them on the telecaster.I always wondered how it would sound if you ran the wound strings through the body,and the unwound strings through the top.
My Squier Affinity Telecaster, also toploaded, thanks you. My only problem with this style of Tele is at string-change time: threading the string through the hole in the back of the bride and then up through the hole in the block saddle, all that times six, is a finicky and sometimes frustrating job.
Nice playing as always Jay! I really liked the demo at the end, it was cool to hear the differences. I think I preferred the sound of the string through body but it's really subtle. I'm sure you could make much larger differences by changing amp or pedal settings so it makes sense to just string it how you prefer for feel. It's nice that this guitar offers both options.
I tried both with a newly bought straight through bridge. I could detect no difference in tone or tension. So I went back to traditional. If top loading were as night and day as you attest, Fender would make no string through Teles.
This video has come at a good time for me! I've set my Tele up both string-through and top-load in the past. I currently have it set string-though at the moment, but have snapped strings on 2 occasions recently, which I haven't done for some time. I'm contemplating going back to top-load on the next string change.
I feel ya. String-through allows the strings to contact the inside of the holes in the bridge plate. Never broken as many strings as I have on a string-through Tele. Jazzmaster with vintage bridge? Never. SG with an ABR-1? Nope. Bought a Callaham bridge for my Tele that's machined for Bigsby (which I ended up trying and not liking. The Mastery Jazzmaster vibrato has spoiled me. A Bigsby is clunky and stiff by comparison and doesn't even come close. Period) and has compensated brass saddles but it also has holes for top loading. The only thing the string contacts is the saddle. I won't go back to string-through
Jim Campilongo says one advantage is the back of a top loader makes a great writing desk without the string through holes!😅
Both sound good. Its more of a "feel and preference" thing.
loved the playing at the beginning. I just started playing and I am working hard on sounding better. I bought a cheap tele with a toploader. I considered drilling the body to convert it... but now after hearing this I won't. Instead I'll just use the time saved to practice a bit more :)
What would it be like to load the low E, A and high E, through the body, and the D, G, and B Top loaded? Tighter snappier feel on the low notes, and high E, with a looser, rounder, and easier to bend feel in the middle.
Would be cool to experiment with this Tele since you can do both?
In general, I prefer the string through. Get the roundness and compression from the amp.
That’s how I set up my jazz bass. E and A through body, D and G top loaded. Can’t say much for the tone difference, but the tension feels better to me.
Interesting thought!
Haha, we have a LOT in common!! I did that with a Bass I had as well 🤘🤘🤘
_That's just crazy enough to work!_ You're really quite mad, you know....
I like your thinking……
I just put a top loading bridge with 3 brass saddles on my Tele tonight. It originally had a modern 6 saddle. I must say it transformed the guitar, it definitely has a slinkier feel now, which appeals to me much better. I almost sold this guitar, but not now.
Same on mine
All the "advantages" you mentioned are reasons I love string-thru Teles - except for breaking strings and tuning instability, which I cannot confirm myself.
As I basically watched this video to see if I'd get happy with a top-loader, this was very informative. Thanks.
I've played guitar for 50 years this Christmas (2022), I've won my share of guitar competitions, and I've built guitars for nearly as long as I've played. I only just recently got my first Tele, an astonishingly good copy, that has no string-through option. I was unsure about the top loading thing at first, but I've come to like it a lot. And from a purely theoretical/technical POV, you're spot on with all your observations. Too much angle is sometimes problematical, (intonation issues - to mention one you didn't) just as too little can cause a loss of sustain. But much of this is theoretical. It was good to actually hear the proof of the pudding. There is a difference. The top loader speaks more crisply and articulately. It's like the difference between a piano (string through) and a harpsicord (top loader). They both have their place. It's a matter of personal preference. Top loader works well for me.
Epiphone Wiildcats have this problem(too much break angle) from the store, due to bigsby being installed. They have developed a mod…cheers 🇨🇦✔️
Built a tele with an American professional ii body and neck and Lollar pickups. Thought it would sound great but I hated it. It was way too bright and messing with the volume and tone knobs didn't help. Then I remembered the prof ii has the option to top load and that made all the difference. The brittle highs were mellowed and it has a bit less snappiness but that's exactly what I was going for.
So glad it made a difference! Little changes can sometimes make a big difference :)
@@JayLeonardJcan you do SOME top-load and SOME string-through that way?
if you have to listen to the A/B to tell the difference, then just do the one you prefer. once you add some pedals on it, reverb, and an amp, there are plenty of things that will move your tone around more.
That's true but your starting tone still affects your final tone. And that's saying nothing of the feel. Top load has less tension
@@enriquemendez1507 sure. I am thinking of a friend who changed guitars, amps, etc and he liked it for a while but over time he kept sounding like his original tone.
We talked about it one time and turns out that when he was in the store he woudl run the amp on all 5's and it sounded different, but then he woudl come home and adjust it until it "sounded right" and ended up with the same sound.
your hands, strings, picks, and amp setting choices matter a lot.
that's what I am saying. if you prefer the feel of one over the other, then go with that one and you can probably still get to a tone you like.
Manoman, I rarely hear differences in AB comparisons, yet still watch these videos. Your great playing made this one totally worth it! I use top load since it made the kit build easier, not disappointed in the least. Thanks
Many Tele saddles are really gentle to the strings with big radius round contact surface. There are no knife edges. I think that you could wrap the strings few times around the saddles without string breakage problems.
I think it's more the break angle not that it's sharp, as I can say I have snapped a lot of strings on my tele too and I am thinking of top loading to reduce string breaking.
String through sounded better to me in all the A/B comparisons, but there's no way I could tell without a direct A/B comparison. I love string through and sharp attack angle, but I also play way softer so it works out.
What you've said is entirely contradictory yet still got 12 likes. People are weird.
@@richsackett3423 I can tell the diff when A/B'ed, but doubt I could tell if they weren't being compared. If I played harder instead of softer, then the sharp attack angle might be too much. Sometimes I think a soft player with a trebly guitar ends up being a great combo.
@@tonybowen455 I see what you're saying. Still a bizarre standard, though. Instruments matter to the musician, not the audience. As a player, I don't care if my audience can tell one guitar from another. It's not their job.
Not contradictory at all. Tighter string tension played with a lighter touch is how many play their Tele’s including me. I like my strings to fight back a bit and give me some resistance. It does allow a crisper attack. I don’t care for too bendy, floppy strings. I don’t see how anyone can play hard on extra light strings. Too easy to bend sharp when playing chords.
I like string through. There is enough difference in volume and tone for me. But I think since we all play different, having the option is a fantastic idea!
What l do is thread the string through its own ball end, making a loop that l hook directly onto the brass barrel. This is the shortest possible string length and makes bending up to four and a half tones a breeze.
Great video sir, I'm looking to buy one of these and didn't know the difference between the two loading methods which you have eloquently explained. Thank you from the UK
Glad to help
G&L ASAT with top loading bridge. I love it.
same here! because it's massive and thus retains the depth and dynamics that you lose with a standard tele bridge top-loaded, AND the slinky feel is still there. G&L have made great add-on inventions for the classic Fender line.
Great video; really clear. String through sounds classic tele. Top load has a hint of strat, as you say.
About the saddleheigt:
Increasingthe neck angle with some shims will allow you to raise the saddles, and the action will still be the same. A lot of people do this on jazzmasters.
Great suggestion. Thanks for writing!
Where do you place the shims?
@@tomjorghen Under the neck, in the neck pocket. Just google tele Neck shim, or strat or what ever! Any bolt-on neck can be shimmed.
A lot of Fenders have micro tilt neck adjustments, so you don’t even need a shim. Strangely, I’ve noticed this feature disappearing from high end Fenders though
I actually prefer lower saddles which means pickups deep in the pickguard and shielding is more effective. It makes the pickups almost noiseless. If the pickups stick out a lot it means they are not shielded well.
My first Fender Telecaster is a 1992 MIM with a toploader bridge and I wasnt even aware of when I got one. And it is my favorite guitar still to this day. :)
After heat gunning the plastic off the body, I'm about to nitro and vintage top loader bridge one of those. I'm sacrilegious so I've beveled the tummy cut and forearm area. Great guitars .
Great video -- I whole heartedly agree with *almost* everything Jay says here. Lots of real info and no mythology or nonsense when it comes to the differences between top-loaders vs. string-though. The only point I disagree with is...I absolutely prefer everything about the string-throughs. I like the sound, I like the feel -- it's what I want a tele to be! But music is absolutely about finding your thing and making it work for you, so if a top-loaded tele (or a hard-tail strat, for that matter) is your thing, go for it!
Fascinating video Jay! Thanks! I made my transition to the Tele, not from the steel-string acoustic, but from the nylon-string classical. That is why I prefer top loading Teles over through-body loading Teles. It's a no-brainer really. Both sound and feel of the toploader are closest to sound and feel of the classical.
Later I started replacing my top-loading Tele bridges with top-loading one-part post-based bridges. They look a bit like Gibson LP Junior wraparounds, except you don''t 'wrap' your strings, but 'thread' them from the top, instead. I wanted a lot more 'Hint of Classical', and I got it that way! They are the 'Dorian' bridges. There's a few low picture quality lab demos of them I keep on my YT channel. You can have a look and a listen if you want.
You mentioned string break angle at the witness point. You're right: the angle is fairly sharp when you load your strings Through Body, and is rather shallow, when you load your strings from the top. But that's not the only physical difference in play, since there's also the Tail Portion to consider: the length of the string between attachment point and witness point. The Tail Portion' is a lot shorter when you top-load, than when you through-body-load. The shorter Tail Portion shares the responsibility for the 'slinky-bouncy feel' equally with the more shallow break angle at the witness point. If you want to avoid the one string feeling a lot slinkier than the string next to it, try 'Equalised Tension' strings, or 'Balanced Tension' strings. In my set, each of the six strings pulls seven kilos. They sound equally bouncy, but feel less slinky. Not because the strings are less elastic, but because the Big E, the D, and the B no longer feel like a sudden drop in tension, coming from the strings adjacent to them.
There must also be something in the fact that when top-loaded, the strings are mounted directly onto the metal plate that the saddles and the bridge pickup are screwed on to?
As in all the vibrations from the strings get transferred through not just the saddles but also the mounting holes and it must all feed through the tray and into the pickup to give you a slightly different sound, even if just a tiny bit? Just a theory, I'm probably talking rubbish XD
Probably
But muh tone wood gets vibrated moar ~ tonewood bro
I'm lucky to have a bridge that allows top loading (Trevor Wilkinson) and I'm definitely going to give it a try. Thanks for the video and keep up the good work!
My cheapo Grote Telecaster has a bridge with that option also.
Hi Hans. Did you top load the strings with your Wilkinson bridge? Did you find any differences? I am in the same position with a Wilkinson bridge at the moment. Thanks in advance.
3:18 My hat! That’s about the same as the wraparound thing with tune-o-matic stop bars, mainly with Gibsons. People also say that having smaller break angle over the TOM when wrapped around gives a feeling of easier to bend strings.
Excellent vid dude.. you totaly answered my question and very happy as I have the top load type. Thanks so much you do a top notch job - keep up the good work!!
I just bought a Leo Jaymz DIY Tele kit. It has a top load bridge and I was wondering if I was going to have to drill through it to make it string through. Seeing this video is very reassuring. If Jimmy Page uses one then I am fine with it!
Perfect timing on this video - I happen to be researching toploaders for a thinline build. I had no idea the difference was that big on the tone. I looooove the slightly beefier and strat-like tone. I own several teles but no toploaders yet, and now I am even more excited for this one! Thanks. :)
I'm a bit late to the conversation but I just bought a g&l espada (the one with the split P-bass style pickups) and it's a top loaded guitar. It sustains forever, no string through needed. Those g&l bridges really do the magic ✨ best guitar I've ever had 😍
I think top loaded works well if you do pedal steel type bends all over the place, saves the finger tips. But if you play very aggressive it may feel a little " rubber band " like to some. Both sound great though.
I’ve got two top loaders yet I’ve always gone string through the body. I will eventually try the other way. I am already happy with how they both sound so I haven’t felt the need to do so.
I have a 90s MIM top loader tele...I love it.I wanted to change the 6 steel saddles to 3 brass,but the screw holes don't line up.
I bought a Squier Mustang HH about 1.5 years ago w/a top loading bridge, and I agree - the sound is softer & the strings slinkier - especially since the Mustang is 24” scale. I swapped out the pups to Alnico II lower output HB’ers. Real fun guitar now.
From Leo: There are a lot of people that think the Les Paul guitars are the best in every category, and they are top loading. I have top load only Tele's, string through only, and a couple that can string either way. They all play fine, I like the top load setup.
LP top load is different in that you can adjust the break angle with Tunomatic bridge. So in that you can change the sound and feel
@LanceJordan you can change the break angle on a top load tele as well, it's just less convenient. Shim the neck (bridge side of pocket) and raise the saddle height screws to increase break angle. Reduce the shim or reverse shim (headstock side of pocket) and drop the saddles to reduce break angle. A lot of people don't understand how easy it is to use shims to adjust optimal bridge height and break angle on Fenders. I'm very used to it because of being a longtime Jazzmaster player.
yep. nailed it. on every point. I have a '59 top loader and a '68 thin line (through body), and have played a lot of them; particularly, the '59 is easier to bend and the attack is sweeter. not a huge difference but noticeable if you know Tele's...
i built a fender Tele parts caster using a mix of mexican and american parts. The bridge is a top loader, i figured lets give it a try and to my surprise the guitar sounds very good & plays great. xcellent tuning stability, it is hard to explain but it just makes playing it much more comfortable at least that's how i feel. cheers..
Top load for my Tele Deluxe. My favorite guitar tone. More of a rocker between the top load and the buckers. Sold my LP after doing so. Way lighter and more comfortable to play. And I don't have to handle it like a museum piece. And it stays in tune better. And............
That guitar finish is BEAUTIFUL
I love the way my top loader plays,I do have a string thru Tele too,and the strings feel way too tight, slinky strings are not only easy to bends,but it's easier to grab chords too,what you give up is a little more sustain and a slight bit of punch,there was a noticeable difference, top load sounded a little brighter but subdued,kind of like screwing a pickup all the way down,I can live with the slight drop in tone,for that wonderful playability.
Tuning, tone, bend feel, attack. You made all the right points.
I am building my tele with a top load option. I was doing it for easiness. Glad to see a better reason.
Good luck on the project!
Thanks alot for your help in this area. I've been back and forth with this and this cleared up some things for me. Great Video!!!
Glad it helped!
Cool video Jay, as usual, and very informative. I have a Japanese squier tele from the eatly 90's which is a top load bridge model also. And I love it! And now, I know more why I love it. Thanks.
I just did an A/B comparison yesterday, and picked the strings through bridge. I liked the sound better, and didn't know why. Now I do, thanks to your video.
I've never noticed any sound differences, but the less string behind the bridge and nut means the easier it is to play and bend.
Slightly prefer the string through body sound. It has plenty of twang but also more clarity and warmth, at least to my ear. I have a G&L tele with MFD p90s that is top load only but I feel the extra tonal brightness kinda evens out the darkness of p90 style pickups. They all sound great though, nice playing!
I agree with the Top load Tele! Well done sir! 🇨🇦✔️👍🏻
Thanks for a great and valuable demonstration and explanation. I don't make it through most explanatory tubes because they tend to waste a lot of time. But this was on point from beginning to end. I feel like I really learned important relevant new information. So that is a good sign. I think.
The top loader sounds thinner. However, that can be somewhat compensated with EQ and right hand, picking, technique. Top loaders are just simpler. That's appealing in itself. Plus, if you break a string, on a gig, do you really want to be trying to fish a string through a hole in the back of the guitar? Top loaders simplify changing a string in a hurry. Thanks for taking the time and energy to produce this video. It's a good one.
I wonder if anyone has ever tried to mix them up, ie: string thru on the basses and top load on the trebles, or even vice versa? Could make for an interesting blend?
Maybe string-through the E and A and top load the rest ;)
Thanks for the great explanation on the top-loader bridge. I have a Fender 75th Anniversary commemorative telecaster and recently noticed it has the top-loader option. Next string change i'll be trying it out. It does feel stiff with 10's, looking forward to the top load to loosen it up a bit.
Just bought a used Mexican Tele top load..tried through bodies as well. Noticed what you're saying, tried 3 teles, oldest, cheapest and top load was the winner....likewise, go to your local music shop and buy used!
Great videos, I just seen these last 2 because I have a Pro 2 Tele and it's through body right now and I'm glad I found your videos as well because your playing is very refreshing
Thanks so much!
The difference you feel isn't the break angle, it's the length of the string under tension. The strings under tension on a through-body tele are ~1.5" longer than on a top-loader.
Sounds like a fun Tone Lab science experiment episode doesn't it ;)
Hello Jay, I think the top loader has more low end and gives you a thicker tone. The string thought the body has a brighter attack. They both sound good. I was going to buy a telecaster and trying to decide on which type to get. I like the sound of both so the deciding factor is going to be how it actually plays. The comfort of playing a certain body style, weight, the feel of the radius of the fretboard and neck profile all have to be considered.
I don't find string breakage problems. the top loader and one of mine has a bigsby has slightly less sustain but my back loaders have better sustain and warmer tone.
I also break a LOT of strings due to the same issue as you Jay, I gig a LOT down here in SWFL, so this info is VERY informative, thanks!!! I've never been much of a Tele guy until I bought a cheap Squier bullet, & I just fell in love with the feel & tone, especially using the pickup switch in the middle, love that funky tone!!! I just subbed to your channel, you ROCK BROTHER!!! Be safe, Rock On & God Bless!!!
The day i can play so hard that i can break strings due to the break angle of a bottom loader... I'll be super happy! JLJ is the best guitarist on Earth!
Nice video and very well explained! It made me want to try top-loading my Tele! However, I actually preferred the string-through-body sounds in the little comparison at the end. I think the extra punch and transient attack gave it a bit more clarity and balls.
I love the feel of a top-loaded tele but in my experience two things make it an "only at home" kind of set up. 1.) doesn't seem to hold tuning nearly as well 2.) big bends always slip out. even with In-tune (slotted) saddles I always lose push the string out of the slot. Both my tele's have 11-52's so on paper top-loadings would be great, but I've just never been able to depend on it enough to use it live.
Might try mixing it. Top load and string through. Maybe top load High E, B, G, string through the rest.
Thank you! I always prefered the feel of the top-load but never compared the tone directly. Interesting that there is a difference. But I think I prefer top-load tone too, because it feels that it will take less EQing for the mix, because top-load sounds a bit "less" and therefore clearer in a good way, more mix ready in my opinion.
The best for me is string with tremolo type jazzmaster- string through top-loaders hole in bridge. I check it. Hi!
as an acoustic player I only play pin-less bridges like on Lowden guitars (Ireland). The Martins and Gibsons have the issue of the 90 degree angle and the pins. On good acoustics you will definitely hear the big difference!
If you still have doubts just think of the strings on violins or even in pianos … no harsh angles !
I've top loaded my tele now and I love it! Slinkier, softened the highs, feels more like a.... Gibson! Thanks a lot! I ain't going back now...!
With a situation where the saddles are decked to the bridge plate, one can always flat shim up the neck pocket and get that lower/lowest action with the bolt on necks. I had to do that with a Squier Bullet SSS HT Stratocaster top loader and the break angle was at maximum hold down tension because the saddle feet post screws were at the top of the saddles after shimming the neck pocket.
That's another advantage to full neck pocket shimming, is that you eliminate the sharp edges of those screws when they are sticking up thru the top of the saddles when the saddles are lowered for lower/lowest action height. Basically you're raising the fretboard & maintaining the neck pocket and heel neck angle. Some guitars while they look the same for brand & model, the wood was not lathed identically & the polyurethane finish are of varying thicknesses. One guitar is not identical to another. Especially true with lower priced & mass produced guitars that any of them have a wider range of tolerances for manufacture & QC checks. they aren't crappy guitars, just that the tolerances are less strict and that passed QC easier than the better made instruments.
With optimal string break angle with a top loader, the tuning stability is better for it. Another thing, when one raises & lowers the saddles (screw adjustments), heel of the neck (shimming), make sure to check the pickups for height, because the string height not only changes in relation to the fret board from last fret to the nut, but the strings may be closer or further away from the pickup poles. What one moves the string height also has to be adjustable for pickup heights.
My tele doesn't have stupid holes in the back... also a Gibson humbucker in the neck and a tone pot disconnected......
I never dreamed there would be an advantage to the top load. Makes sense now that you explain it.
Awesome video Jay, I just landed in the Philippines a couple of months ago and couldn’t handle not having a Tele to play for 3 months so I bought a locally made Tele top loader, it sounds and plays great , imho I reckon it plays just as good as the other thru body teles I have in Australia., thanks again.
Rock on!
Love that funky groove on your last bit there. Love me some telle’s
Thanks :)
I like the top loader. To me, its sounds more lively and doinky which i love. the string through sounds more dense and solid and not as lively...to me at least. But , i bet it depends on a number of factors on the particular guitar
Great information. I just ordered the pro 2 and am looking forward to trying the top load method. Thanks.
You have a great point there JLJ...I owned a top load and people commented on the great tones it got. I had never had a string through so I didn't know the difference then until you pointed this out.
Fascinating video. I agree about the sound differences. Personally, I prefer the string-through sound. Great to have the option on models like the American Pro II.
I've got both. That wider break angle made me mount a set of threaded 60's saddles to avoid unwanted rattles. Period. Better string-thru IMHO.
I just picked up a top loader. Still kinda feeling it out, but id say im liking it so far.
Awesome! Curious to see what you stick with :)
Made decent arguments. I think my bridge has the option. I can see how it would be slinkier. Feel like you could get some string slippage at the saddle though depending on what you have and what tuning you use, etc. I drop my Tele or open tune a lot just because hardtails are always easier for that.
I fully get what you're saying, but some may argue that the sharper angle into the body truly insures a sure connection of the string to the bridge and, of course, the string thru adds to more sustain.But either way, Teles have a solid, proven reputation. I know, I have a '77 Fender Tele bass, and the string thru set up gives me hours of sustain! :-) Thanks for the video and some good input!!
Thought the thru body sounded better. More snarl. I had a knock off top load tele and the strings actually rolled in my fingers.. was not a good thing but I'm sure his American tele doesn't do the same
I was also suspecting that the sharp break angle is the reason for my strings breaking so often.
Thanks!! Looking to make a Tele my next purchase and am very intrigued by this. Can totally hear the “compression” of top loader
Great playing👍👍
I'll take a top loader any day over the string through. It's not my imagination, I can bend a lot easier on a top loader ... (backed up by this video.) I have been waiting for someone to address this. It's good it know ....I'm only half crazy!
I agree. IMHO Top-load Teles & hardtail Strats are the shizzle.
I am struggling to understand why. Strings of the same gauge and brand should be under the exact same tension when tuned to pitch regardless.
Think of it this way: it is harder to play on the 7th fret of a high action guitar than a low action guitar even though that fretted note is under the same tension on both guitars.
I would like to replace the original hardtail bridge on my Tele with an ashtray style top loader. I was told that the old screw holes in the body will be visible, anyone can tell if this is so?
I could easily hear it with headphones! Really liked the sound but have never tried. Looking forward to trying one out!
I have not yet played a Top-Load Telecasters, I will give it a try.
I do agree some of the points in this video.
To my ear,
string through body => Sharp sound, powerful dynamic.
string through bridge => warm/round, more gentle sounding coming out.
If I'm not mistaken, the only Fender Telecaster that comes stock with top-loading is the Squier Affinity. I have one, and I have a Squier Standard Tele which is strung through the body. I like them both. My only problem with top-loaded Teles is that when you're changing strings on one with six block saddles, you must somehow thread the string through the hole in the back of the bridge, under the saddle, and then up through the hole in the saddle, all without being able to see what you are doing -- six times. It's a finicky job that really tests your patience.
My Squier Thinline Tele came string thru but with holes in the bridge plate that allow top load.
My Squier Thinline Tele came string thru but with holes in the bridge plate that allow top load.
Maaan you really nailed it! I hear defenetely a difference and it's true, the top load is more straty.
I'm tele player and I'll defenetly try top load the next time I re-string it.
Less severe break angle reduces string tension and is easier to bend and play. It’s also why they “overwrap” Gibson tailpieces...
I have a top load 96 Mexican tele that really rocks for a Mexican tele! When I heard your comparison it’s clear that top load sounds much closer to the authentic old school tele sound.
I have a 94 MIM with a toploader bridge. I don't know, I've had it a few years now and I can't seem to get used to it.I miss my old ash body with the STB. I'm sure that I will go back to it at some point. Toploader would be good for Flatwoods, but I don't use them on the telecaster.I always wondered how it would sound if you ran the wound strings through the body,and the unwound strings through the top.
Do you need to setup again the intonation when you change from top loader to string through? Vice versa? Hope anyone answer. Just curious 🤨
Your intonation should be good to go. No need to touch it.
Very informative and your playing KILLS! I’m a fan, dude.
Spot on! Great sound by the way. The top loaded Telecaster sings more.
My Squier Affinity Telecaster, also toploaded, thanks you. My only problem with this style of Tele is at string-change time: threading the string through the hole in the back of the bride and then up through the hole in the block saddle, all that times six, is a finicky and sometimes frustrating job.
Great video Jay! Just subscribed today, much respect from PEI to Vancouver. Cheers
Nice playing as always Jay! I really liked the demo at the end, it was cool to hear the differences. I think I preferred the sound of the string through body but it's really subtle. I'm sure you could make much larger differences by changing amp or pedal settings so it makes sense to just string it how you prefer for feel. It's nice that this guitar offers both options.
Glad you made this video - I was wondering about this - not much on the web on this. I have an American Pro II Tele - I am trying the top load now.
string life on a top loader is just insane and the tone is great imo, i love both!
I tried both with a newly bought straight through bridge. I could detect no difference in tone or tension. So I went back to traditional. If top loading were as night and day as you attest, Fender would make no string through Teles.
Great tip my friend. I love the tele sounds!
Rock on!
This video has come at a good time for me! I've set my Tele up both string-through and top-load in the past. I currently have it set string-though at the moment, but have snapped strings on 2 occasions recently, which I haven't done for some time. I'm contemplating going back to top-load on the next string change.
I feel ya. String-through allows the strings to contact the inside of the holes in the bridge plate. Never broken as many strings as I have on a string-through Tele. Jazzmaster with vintage bridge? Never. SG with an ABR-1? Nope. Bought a Callaham bridge for my Tele that's machined for Bigsby (which I ended up trying and not liking. The Mastery Jazzmaster vibrato has spoiled me. A Bigsby is clunky and stiff by comparison and doesn't even come close. Period) and has compensated brass saddles but it also has holes for top loading. The only thing the string contacts is the saddle. I won't go back to string-through