there was a recent question sa PM FB group asking how many times strings should wrap around the string post for Gibson type headstocks. i've seen a lot of messy restrings too so i thought i'd share how i keep it looking neat (which helps with tuning stability i think). with pics!!!
1) use no more than 3 wraps areound the string post. 2 on the wound strings, 3 in the plain ones would be ideal. like this:
2) use the post further towards the head's end as reference. if you're stringing the 6th, lay out the string and mark where it goes over the 5th string post (gripping it there would do) then string it through the 6th string post only up to that point. this give you just enough slack to go around the post 2 times for the wound strings and 3 for the plain ones approximately. sa fender heads, grip it between the 5th and 4th string posts. this is to be repeated for the other strings.
3) i dont like "knotting" the strings kasi it give the strings too sharp a notch that they could later break on. instead i prefer using opposing angles and edges for the strings to catch on and grip. like when the string goes through the post, sa opposite side of the hole i bend it the opposite direction. sa entry side of the whole, it will be bend towards the body so sa exit side of the whole i bend it towards the head end. this kinks, pulls and catchesit against 2 edges to grip as tension is added to helps prevent slippage.
4) sa 1st wind go over the string entry point then under for the rest. this "pinches" the wound strings as you wind around the post helping prevent slippage (again). saw this in an erlewine article sa magazine back in the 90s. like this:
another angle:
4) tune to pitch then stretch the slack between tuner post and nut by bending it sharply sa first 3 frets
repeat 3x retuning between each stretching.
5) stretch out the string some more between the nut and bridge. i usually lift it sa 12th fret (not too much, you dont want to break it) and pull each string over the strings adjacent to it on the bass and treble side
repeat 3 to 5 times retuning after each stretching or until it doesnt go flat anymore after each stretching.
6) play the damn thing. then come back and check again a few hours later and check if the strings still stretch out of tune. it usually wont but if it does, just retune and st recth a bit more.
bridge setup ideas:
i like the stop tail studs flush to the body but sometimes that results in a beak angle so sharp it will touch the back of your bridge and this can push your abr1 forward so hard, the posts will eventually bend or come loose where it goes into the body. i've seen it happen to one les paul a few years back. so i've started top wrapping. with the strings touching just the saddles, they seem to sound out clearer (dont really know why but it sounds like that to me.
stop tail flush to body, top wrapped:
strings go over the saddles cleanly and do not touch the back edge of the bridge:
got any setup tips you'd like to share?