'The WORST thing Fender ever did to a Telecaster'?! | Friday Fretworks

The top loading Telecaster bridge; is it REALLY that bad?
My Line 6 Helix Preset: www.chrisbuckguitar.co.uk/hel...
HX Stomp Preset Bundle: www.chrisbuckguitar.co.uk/hel...
Tabs & Backing Tracks: www.chrisbuckguitar.co.uk/tabl...
PayPal Tip Jar: www.paypal.com/paypalme/Chris...
Key points:
0:00 Intro
0:10 JAM!
1:17 Unchanged since '51
1:43 What is a Top Loader?
2:58 Why are they so disliked?
3:51 Jimmy Page
5:06 Jim Campilongo
5:46 Next seen in 1983
6:07 Jeff Buckley & Freddie Mercury
6:21 American Pro II Telecaster
7:14 COMPARISON!
8:55 Any difference?
9:34 JAM!
Hey! My name's Chris Buck and I'm a musician from South Wales, United Kingdom. Thank you for checking out Friday Fretworks! As the name suggests, there's a new video every Friday. If you haven't already, please subscribe and if you have, it'd be lovely if you came to say hello on Facebook and Instagram as well. Links below!
/ chrisbuckguitar
/ chrisbuckguitar
/ buckandevans
www.chrisbuckguitar.co.uk

[@DK-jg5vk]

I go through the body on the wound strings and top load the unwound. This keeps everyone happy by making them think I know something they don't.

[@stevetool7023]

lol

[@paulcarter319]

🤣

[@walthompson8210]

Yeah but have you tried half and half . . !!??

[@mickymillersson4376]

@@walthompson8210 is that bi?

[@cyber-psych2503]

clever since you can't unless you drilled the getar

[@neilgaydon5430]

The worst thing Fender ever did with a Telecaster was let me play one...

[@letsplayguitar2051]

hahahahaha, I wanna love um and I buy a lot of them and continue to play my strat. Oh well

[@stevebluesbury6206]

😂

[@haroldroberts5250]

Nice

[@muhe1593]

LMAO

[@eastbaystreet1242]

That's kind of you to say, Neil, but I'm pretty sure the worst thing Fender or Gibson ever did was let me buy and play their guitars. The huge hit that their marketing and prestige take from anyone seeing me play probably necessitates a special line entry in the loss section of their tax return. They may have on-staff psychologists to help master builders deal with the fact that such beauty can be so abused. It probably isn't random that my Google searches almost never show me the guitar I am looking for since the two companies have invested millions in a complex algorithm that attempts to keep me from buying guitars. But I love them nonetheless.

[@alexanders562]

the top load has more wheat like overtones with hints of mint and Disney, where as the brash string thru is displaying more Florida OJ all day with subtle traces of Snoop Dogg. nuff said. Very fine playing.

[@denniskramer9657]

how kooky..

[@Mr.CliffysWorld]

On my les paul I prefer the top load

[@j_freed]

I wish I could coconut this comment twice.

[@colintanji8733]

I've never replied to a KZbin comment in my life... but, you sir, got an audible guffaw from me with this comment. Well played sir... well played.

[@_-_Michael_-_]

How dare you. Also what you meen?

[@Splattle101]

Thank goodness that's settled so we can get back to important issues: does a Les Paul sound better with the pick guard on or off?

[@billygoatgruff2554]

Bladder Splattle Off.... No doubt about it. 330... Pick guard off. 335... Pick guard on. 🤗

[@TJEvans98]

It won't matter after the headstock breaks off

[@nickv4073]

Depends on who's playing it.

[@jacobpullen6949]

@@TJEvans98 Same goes for the SG

[@nodrog5150]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@ashwilliams11]

It’s Unlike guitarists to be arguing over some minute detail that has next to no effect on the instrument, instead of just spending that time and effort practicing more. We are a weird bunch to be fair ha

[@cobowe]

It changes the “feel” of the guitar... It changes how it resonates.. Isn’t that the reason most fall in love with the guitar?

[@NoNameNo.5]

But the “toneeeee!”

[@MudflapNichols]

In my experience with the Jimmy Page Telecaster in particular, the top loading bridge is more prone to a type of buzz caused by inadequate pressure on the saddle. If the action is set fairly high (like Joe likes), the tonal differences are almost non-existent, but if it's set low (like most guys buying a $5,000 guitar want), it can't get enough pressure on the saddle and resonates oddly. Both of the Jimmy Page Telecasters I've set up came with the strings top loaded, and the customer requested that I put them through the body instead both times.

[@a.m.son222]

@@cobowe I think most people fall in love with the guitar because of the way it sounds.

[@mattwalsh9413]

@@cobowe no.

[@meriam4109]

Forget Hendrix, Clapton, Knopfler, Gilmore, etc. Here's Chris Buck! Great playing again, every time I watch and hear you play I get inspired and grab for my guitar, only to find out that I'm not there yet.

[@i8ittoo]

His outro from last week was by far my favorite. I've spent thus week getting down. I have a ways to go.

[@mattgilbert7347]

Who is Gilmore? One of the girls? ;)

[@888jimm]

I also want to pick up my guitars ....and use them as firewood after watching him.....:)

[@mcmillanalex]

@@mattgilbert7347 it's amazing how many people - fans, no less - misspell his last name.

[@Dnell-tb1yd]

Without those players you aren't going to have a Chris Buck

[@trevorwootton8472]

I think the lesson here is, if you can play (and you Chris most certainly can sir), then everything else is minutiae.

[@richsackett3423]

Nothing makes a difference and all guitars sound the same.

[@KenIn_NH]

Touche! Point (match AND round) to Chris...as usual.

[@morgizmo87]

Word. Just like Justin Johnson could get better sound from a gas can guitar or 3-string shovel then I could out of a suhr or Martin or Ernie ball.

[@omarcapaso7156]

@@richsackett3423 you’re not an experienced enough player if you can’t tell the difference between guitars. Or maybe you have really bad ears

[@richsackett3423]

@@omarcapaso7156 Not what I meant in the slightest. It was sarcasm directed at the ridiculous statement, "everything else is minutiae".

[@joshuapark7350]

Loved the "DIY Isaac Newton" comment. Learning so much about music and guitar from this channel. Keep it up!

[@the92project]

It took me 30 years to realize that the telecaster is the best guitar ever made

[@TeleCaster66]

Haha, me too. Ignored it for almost 30 years myself then bought one and became totally hooked! I top load too.

[@cybrunel1016]

Same here, i'm buying my first one today as we speak.

[@lueymeteora1410]

I've been dodging buying one for years now. Evéry time I buy a Guitar I think....I should replace my old Tele...but for the money, look at all the other shiney , flashy stuff on the market! 6 times I've gone to buy a new guitar, and I always come back with something different. I just did it again with a Charvel (sue me!). I lost my trusty Black US Tele to a Pawnshop 20 yrs ago. And I quit playing guitar entirely over it, for over 15 years. I gotta get me a piano black U.S. Tele again. My soul needs it.

[@justinkrann7406]

Strat is

[@lueymeteora1410]

@@clarkwestfield7818 Cheers Bro

[@BizarrePudding]

"DIY Isaac Newtons"...that's hilarious!

[@richsackett3423]

Or rude and dismissive.

[@jamiehill5255]

Nope, definitely hilarious!

[@willmac3521]

Definitely hilarious. 😂

[@saycefan]

Definitely funny as hell!

[@yjmsrv]

100% Hilarious- because they always trash him here- about time he called them out.

[@pimo01]

Not many guitar players can surprise me with every new piece, you're just doing that on a weekly basis with every note coming out of your brain and fingers, I am in complete awe of your playing, tone and in the feeling you put into your every licks. Fresh and explosive. Keep them coming.

[@Frip36]

Did you c*m?

[@marcusl3828]

Beautiful playing and brilliant content, as ever. Congrats on the 100k!

[@thomasstengel7356]

I could watch Chris Buck playing for hours with nothing other than the right hand closeups. Just insanely talented. The sheer number of hours he must've put into his craft to become the player he is is nearly unfathomable.

[@Frip36]

"The sheer number of hours he must've put into his craft to become the player he is is nearly unfathomable." You're a hysteric. Just talk normal. "He must have put in a lot of hours."

[@thomasstengel7356]

@@Frip36 Considering you lack a grasp of basic grammar, I'm not sure you're setting yourself up for success in reprimanding others for the manner in which they communicate. But, sure, have at it, dummy.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

I've got the Mirror Tele and it's absolutely PHENOMENAL! I keep it top loaded because that's how Jimmy Page done it. I also have a standard Tele as well that I also love. Tele's are awesome.

[@JackViggiani]

I suck as a guitar player, but man am I passionate about guitars and the music, and these episodes of yours, Mr. Buck, are absolute gold. Please, do carry on for a long time doing these, because - besides playing the instrument - you have a talent in telling its stories. Bravo.

[@ParaBellum2024]

I expect that if Leo had made the first Teles as toploaders, we'd consider string-thru inferior. I have a 1996 Mexican Tele that was originally a toploader, and I converted it to string-thru. I also swapped the bridge for a brass Gotoh one at the same time, so it's not possible to compare the stringing change.

[@LarryMar]

The string thru is warmer more prominently on the upper strings. There's a slight bit of brighter ping on the top loaded. But you really have to pay attention to notice the difference. I wonder if you notice more difference if played on dimed Plexi and doing pinch harmonics. Like a VH - ZZ hybrid version. :P

[@hannaro]

Yeah, I thought the top loader was a bit brighter. But not enough to matter very much. My objection to the top loader is more along the lines of it not being as tidy? I like those unsightly string ends tucked away. My tele has those slotted tuning pegs, so everything's nice and cozy, all tucked in. This is obviously completely silly and unnecessary, but dammit, I like it.

[@teleguy5699]

@@hannaro That's all that counts.

[@redram5150]

Guitarists are, if anything, a conservative bunch. We’re more superstitious than sailors too.

[@Zilegil]

I’ve always said this

[@peterklein5861]

I've been playing for less than 2 months and I've already noticed this about the guitar community haha. I've made a promise to myself to not get sucked into that attitude.

[@redram5150]

@@peterklein5861 it’s built on a mentality of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, and the mysterious properties of wood. I can guarantee you won’t be able to escape all of it

[@michaelheller8841]

@@peterklein5861 Pete I can tell you for sure, you first getting into this all, you will experiment and that’s all fun and good. Most importantly, is that you have fun doing it. If it sounds great to you don’t change a damn thing. If it doesn’t there are plenty of options. Most players can’t hear the difference but with a good pair of headphones you can. If Fender cranked out a bunch of Tele’s they will all sound slightly different. The easy thing to do? Pick one up and play it, you will know then and there if she is coming home with you.

[@RsqSqr]

Man, i am liking your playing more and more. You are going up the ladder in my reference list. What a Outro. Mind blowing

[@DaveKaplowitz]

No matter how you load it, your playing is marvelous and I love listening and learning!! Thanks for another great episode and another excuse to listen to you play.

[@jeffreyeagen4896]

I thought the top loaded sounded a tad brighter. Either way it sounds great, especially when played by Chris Buck! I love Teles, got 5 of em (different makes and models, only 1 a Fender) and they each have their own sound.

[@CraigCrider]

Chris Buck: "The worst thing Fender ever did to a Telecaster?" Also Chris Buck:

[@Rev_John_Danger]

I don’t want to learn how to play a guitar, I want to learn to Chris Buck the hell out of a guitar.

[@devincrinklaw2104]

The kid is a magician with a piece of wood and six strings!!!!!!

[@greghenderson4582]

Put a Bigsby on it

[@petelucchini1168]

Craig Crider:::::::::::::::::::::::::::"The worst thing Fender ever did to a Telecaster?" When Fender sold to CBS.. Freaking 10 pound boat anchor 70's guitars. Maple necks dipped in polyurethane. Micro tilt neck adjuster.

[@michaelheller8841]

His title got me here too lol. I’m like what the hell is the worst thing Tele has done? For me is that I’m not okay with just having one. That’s why I ordered another and I know I’m not just okay with that either lol.

[@RandomButtonPusher]

Wow, just love watching the hands on the opening and closing jams -- as well as the sonic results.

[@thomasvannatter6361]

Finally straight foward just bought a new bridge string through or top load . The one I have is eating up my palm from sharp edges..Always a pleasure watching you play..effortless! A true master of your instrument..I will do what we do and try both ways for the fun of it.. lol... thank you Chris!

[@MyPidihajzlik]

That intro jam was absolutely extreme.

[@JL-fs9wh]

Chris Buck is an absolute guitar BEAST! I love your playing! Thank you for all the wonderful videos.

[@JamesMinchew]

Well, that's another of my preconceived thoughts kicked squarely in the nuts. More fabulous playing this week. Your dynamics and phrasing are stunning.

[@aixpert291]

Another brilliant video. I’m always in awe over the tones you get.

[@DlmlZ]

Thanks Chris for this flashback and analysis. Personally I prefer the strung through version (which I also own) but at the end of the day it depends on the player. You and your guitar always looks to me like a unit. I very much love the outro of your video, hot stuff as always. Cheers

[@badhombre4246]

Ok ok guys I swear I can tell a difference. It’s so irrelevant but it is there. I put the audio into an EQ display and the Q of the peak low mids shifts from about 450Hz on string thru to 600Hz on the toploader consistently. This makes sense as the string though is resonating the wood a little more. By that logic, the GE smith Telecaster’s thicker tone on the bridge pickup could be attributed to the fact that the pickup is mounted directly into the body instead of suspended by the bridge plate; once again bringing the resonance of the body into play a little bit more. Doesn’t really matter, but the difference is there.

[@mcriff422]

I'm surprised more commenters didn't hear a difference. I did, and your analysis seems to accurately quantify what I heard.

[@lvonh9388]

@@mcriff422 I'm in

[@TI_Ted]

this starts with some of the best playing i've heard - love it ! x.

[@elvismojo1964]

Great video, I'm a Strat guy but building my first 2 Teles and having issues with bridge options and string through problems with quick string changes. This helped me a lot, AND your playing on the jam at the end was killer. Inspiring actually. Thanks!! BB

[@Tomijee]

DAMN Chris! You have to put big tone warnings before melting our brains, that tele tone just hit my face Its full force.

[@gizzhead7941]

That intro jam. wtf. now i know what chris buck sounds like

[@uniknot]

Great Video Chris! It seems there is always something to learn about the evolution of the Telecaster.

[@olisaush6552]

Gerat Vid Chris! My first telly was a 1983 Toploader and I loved id! Somebody told me that a "real" telly is stringed through so I bought some ferrules and drilled through the body. I never heard a difference. I later converted it in to a bigsby telly which is also cool but made a difference in sound and sustain. In any case I love my telly and it still inspires me to practice...

[@50Something]

Chris has the busiest fingers in the business. He plays 80% more notes than Dave Gilmour, uses tons of finger vibrato, he slides up and down to notes effortlessly and hybrid picks between fingers and a pick. Fascinating to watch!

[@Dreyno]

It makes me tired just watching.

[@jimmygubbins]

@@Dreyno what are we talking about, i fell asleep

[@thesnooch]

Yeah, dude rips

[@user-qp4sy2dp5b]

My lord it took 2 years to see this guy, and a science nerd and then he has more notes than Gilmour? Maybe true, but Gilmours notes are the ones that are at every record shop, made him a multi millionaire, but mainly the top 5 most talented and innovative guitar player, but even more a pure artist. Nerd

[@rinseyvessel6523]

Imagine how good he will be when he plays 80 percent less notes

[@MddMLarisa]

I first noticed you in Paul David's Improv Collab. Fell in love with that solo. You're now an addition on my list with guitarists with what I consider to be unique styles: Tim Henson, David Gilmour, Ichika Nito, Charlie Robbins, Manuel Gardner Fernandes, Marcin Patrzalek and David Maxim Micic.

[@jerrystephenson1172]

Ck out Dylan Adams, a unique style w/slide & fretting all over the neck. A MONSTER!

[@hollywoodactress]

Hey Chris your story teller is getting real really good and I have been enjoying your Friday fretworks. I bet you put a lot of effort and thought into the content and story boarding 👍

[@wally_g5192]

Whew, you got it, man! Thanks for doing this channel and sharing your jams, Chris!

[@craneman8725]

my mom had a top loader, then they came out with the front loaders but they get mold build up on the door seal, what we arnt talking about washing machines. sorry wrong video

[@mrchris89]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@hunkydorian]

I just spent $1200 to go from a mold-farm washer to a non-he top loader.

[@wallywanker7435]

Front loaders suck ! Mine leaks water 🤷.

[@57stratkat]

Well, I once saw an interview with Billy Gibbons where he asserted that he wrapped strings over the top of the stop bar on his LP because it made string bending easier. GIven that he's palyed more years than most of us have been alive, I'll take his word for it. Same idea - less resting string tension.

[@flynlulus]

Chris you play with great touch... I've not been inspired in sometime... very much admire your dedication to tone.

[@pooleywooley]

Hey Chris I love my weekly fix of Friday Fretworks! How about doing an episode on the original Yamaha SG series of guitars from the 1970s! They were very well made guitars and very well respected and also still receive a lot of attentio, even now when they are no longer in production. Keep up the good work Chris!

[@harrisk850]

Man every time that jams are amazing!

[@matthewb8229]

Having cobbled together a few guitars from scratch, I can tell you the string break angle on a string through vs. top load makes a difference on bridge tension, so from my perspective, top loader is easier on equipment.

[@slimturnpike]

Yes I break noticeably fewer strings top-loaded

[@chrisdore5726]

Thanks for all of your videos and perspective on different topics!

[@mega12ax72]

Excellent video and very nice breakdown and comparison. Nice Groove at the end there🤗👍

[@drtone]

Top loading unwound G string and routing the other 5 strings thru the body creates a more balanced overtone series on open chord above the 5th fret voicings in double dropped D tuning when using the bridge pickup with the tone rolled off to 7. But only when intonated compromised or just tuning at 436Hz, but not equal temperment with wound G string.

[@atech9020]

I can hear a tad bit more top end with the top load. I even tried it double-blind. But it could literally be that you played it just ever so slightly different in each take. Certainly not even enough for it to be of worry for any gig or recording. When I say tad, I mean only just enough to say it is there. I have played both side by side before and for feel, I can't say it is appreciable either. Sure, maybe ever so slightly different, but it could just be because they were different guitars. I think it is really nothing to bother over, and that the only real reason to choose one over the other is for the economy.

[@richardbosworth6635]

I agree. On the single note lead guitar stuff just a little less low end, very subtle and not a big issue as far as having one or the other. They’re both great!

[@imannonymous7707]

ive considered the very same thing.....cool comment

[@ArjenBruin]

Frankly I couldn't hear any difference. Now I must admit that I have that more often with KZbin comparisons. Even if I know from live comparison that there actually is a difference. The compression on KZbin compromises the audio that much. I have a collection of 94 guitars amount then write a few telecasters (brilliant guitars), 3 top loaders and 10 string troughs. I really can't hear a difference even if I change strings and switch to string through on the same guitar.

[@jacobpetersen5662]

Absolutely agreed. Top-loading sounds and feel different. Same on Les Pauls.

[@BluegillGreg]

Agreed. I also thought the string-through was louder near the attack and the top-load kept more volume later into the sustain. It's a tiny difference between two great sounds and the greatness of the sound comes from the player, not the string loading.

[@omeraktash]

I don't care about the sonic difference at all... I discovered you just yesterday and my life's been better since then.. thank you for these melodies, man! I've been binge watching your music clips all day.

[@mykhedelic6471]

My ears glued to the sound, my eyes on that picking hand. That's some real command, guts and grace.

[@Lotus-Son]

Goddamn the intro was roaring and explosive in playing and tone. Sounds like Derek trucks and you're not even playing with a slide. HOW U DO THAT ON A TELE!!!????

[@Pablo-nc6qu]

Yes he reminds me a little of Derek Trucks as well

[@breadzeppelin2705]

I found the top loader to be a bit brighter. The sustain is almost identical on both but I liked the top loader’s sound better.

[@breadzeppelin2705]

@Augustus Ceasar Bro, I just said what I heard, I probably would get it wrong but I feel that there is a difference, I like the top loader's tone more, and I have the right to say so.

[@jeromewagschal9485]

Same here...

[@slimturnpike]

I agree, more presence, equal sustain.

[@Stonemeister]

Yep, I felt the same. Crisper sound with the top loader on all the clips. Then again, there's probably no group of people more guilty of tricking themselves into hearing ghosts and unicorns than us guitarists, so who knows? Could be something else causing the difference (if there is one) too.

[@keijosandvik6836]

Playing a Tele is just so much fun. It seems to comply with your every twist and turn, from a whisper to a growl! Top loader or not. Thank you Leo !

[@electricchurchmusic4298]

Nice vid, i loved the outro jamming, great great sounding Tele :)

[@paristhalheimer]

I find it's all a matter of personal taste. I once had a Telecaster with a Bigsby. It just didn't sound right to me, but to my friend, it was great. To each his own.

[@134SASAKI]

I am on your side. Bigsby kills sustain. The strings should be as straight as possible, which is the premise. Then, smaller break angle, greater sustain.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

@@134SASAKI The worst Bigsby offense to me is when someone puts one on a perfectly functioning 335. I also don't like to see one on a Tele either though.

[@drbanana1930]

As you say to each his own - I built a tele and it came out as a bit of a dud, no sustain, no bite, just dull uninspiring thuds. I then put a Bigsby on it (with the same ashtray bridge) and it came alive, it’s my main guitar now

[@paristhalheimer]

@@drbanana1930 that happened to me, too. I built an Andy Summers style Telecaster and it just didn't resonate or sound good to me, no more I did.

[@kendalljamesmusic]

The string-through style is a more elegant solution aesthetically, but I can’t hear any difference.

[@Chaps_Jr]

Guitarists are a strange bunch

[@j_freed]

Some players don't want you to see their balls, at the string ends.

[@gurtana]

Incredible Jam at the end. Loved it (as with all your playing).

[@thrumyeyesphoto]

That intro solo is absolute fire. Amazing tone!

[@dweezilzappaworld]

Your playing is killer! First time hearing you. Keep up the good work!

[@ChrisBuckGuitar]

Oh, wow! Thank you so much Dweezil! That’s incredibly kind of you 🙂 Hope you’re well!

[@McDagger90]

Man it's such a shame there isn't really a place for rock music in top 40 anymore. This guy legit could've been the next big ICON. He's got his own style and could play circles around anyone out there. Super talented guy. Hope he sells out an arena one day - he deserves it

[@mfieldlicks]

Damn Chris...grrrrrreat video between your playing and your engaging presentation and content...just 11/10......glad im subscribed !

[@elliothewitt9156]

Your right hand control is other worldly. Beautiful playing!

[@horusfalcon]

The top-load sounds a bit clearer through the range, while the string-thru sounds a bit mushy in the low end. Maybe I'm imagining it - I can't play guitar with my fingers, so I learned the bass.

[@alainbrisebois8334]

I tested a top loaded Tele I have and after I drilled through the body and restringed it. The top loaded way was easyer to bend. You are 100% right Chris Buck. Dont ever be afraid to tell the truth about the truth.

[@COLDMKULTRA]

Totally spot on Chris! ... Thank You ... I have a 1972 through body ... but I don't actually know if there is a difference ... I still think, at the end of the day, that it's all in the fingers.

[@birchward]

I always enjoy your guitar playing ! plus your back ground stories , best wishes from france ritchie .

[@Guitarrulez]

The top loaded tele is noticeably brighter to my ears...Im surprised to hear you couldn’t hear the difference in the room Chris, perhaps the video/KZbin boosts certain frequencies making it more obvious ?

[@sparky191]

I thought the same. More of a ring. String through was smoother. That's said I'm tone deaf. So what do I know.

[@kilohertzstudio3429]

Clear sonic difference! Strung through has a lovely rounded intimate tone, whereas Top Loaded has a more anxious, aggressive treble tone. Fascinating presentation, thanks.

[@bernhardnizynski4403]

Lovely playing Chris - up there with the best of them!

[@Mr.Cynical92]

I just bought a American Professional II Dark Night Telecaster. I have it top loaded because it came standard with 9-42 strings and I went to 10-54. So the top loaded bridge makes it easier to bend while the thicker strings at more warmth and low end. A nice happy medium.

[@Frip36]

Try thinner strings but with the DeMartini silver glaze.

[@Yupppi]

At first I thought there was no noticeable difference, then in the Hendrix clip I thought top-loaded was slightly brighter, but my main thought was if the playing made more difference than the setup. That being said, Aaron from Warmoth did a nice shootout essentially showing that when you aim to play the same track the same way even on different days, the difference is so slight if perceivable, that any change in gear/setup is more likely to be a bigger factor. So I suppose that either it was psychological or top-loaded might've been just ever so slightly brighter. If I had to theorize why it would be, the strings through body might introduce more interaction with the body and let the lower frequencies come out as more balanced spectrum. Just like brass nut seems to be brighter. Sounds believable, but wouldn't put my money on the observation or the theory. At the end of the day the difference, if it is there, is so slight that it's better to just get a good sound, play and forget it. Would probably opt for the top-loader just for the gigging purposes, seems faster to restring.

[@LTJR.]

And about the brass nut one would think it would only make a difference on the open string, wouldn’t it, because once you’ve fretted it would seem to be out of the picture. Well there must be people that have hearing approximating a jack rabbits’, As I’ve heard a few people say there is a difference

[@Dang...]

I wouldn't place a wager on being able to tell via a blindfold test. However it SEEMED like the top-load sounded "spongier", through-body sounded firmer, harder. Some comments described top-load as brighter, with more treble. However, I am totally sure, like so many of the other commenters here, Mr Buck sounds astoundingly great ALL THE TIME! I gotta go practice now!

[@elpedomasgrande1]

Your content is amazing, thank you. Would love to see some of the techniques and progressions in that intro explained :) That muted harmonic... 🤤

[@thelovacluka]

First time I hear you play. you got some great dynamics and tone in those fingers. Very nice. that's a rare thing to hear, on youtube especially.

[@chrisdrake447]

To paraphrase Mr Zappa, “Shut Your Eyes and Play The Guitar”.

[@cyber-psych2503]

only Frank didn't, he should have shut his mouth and played through.

[@Maltloaflegrande]

It's a psychological thing for me. KNOWING that the strings pass through the body and that the bridge is consequently being pressed against the wood rather than pulled away from it makes me feel more confident and hear a tighter sound. Like a lot of other issues, most people probably can't tell the difference in a blindfold test; I'd certainly be one of those people.

[@sundaynightdrunk]

Same, there's something about the way I know it's pushing that bridge down and not trying to yank it out of the body that inspires some sort of weird confidence. Then I play and think "you should probably fuck off about the bridge and get better."

[@davidjohnston4240]

Why don't you ponder on how the string is being bent sharply over that 90 degree bend into the hole, leading it to break sooner?

[@Maltloaflegrande]

@@davidjohnston4240 I don't think I've ever had a string break on my Tele; nothing I can recall anyway, The strings eventually go dead and then I replace them. I'd also suggest that it's not that sharp a bend. I'd not have thought the cross-sectional diameter of the bridge saddles was significantly different from that of the machine head posts.

[@Maltloaflegrande]

@@davidjohnston4240 Sorry about this, but although that last reply was written in total sincerity, I've just realised (it was two years ago I wrote the first comment to be fair) that when I wrote the comment you responded to, I wasn't really thinking about my Tele, but about my bass which I bought about ten years ago. it was a cheap (but good-quality neck and body-wise) P-bass copy and I customised it heavily, replacing all sub-standard parts including the bridge which was ultra flimsy and had top loading. I got a nice chunky through-body job and some string retainers and I'm happier with that. As for my Tele, I customised it about seven years after I bought it and put on a bridge unit of my own design which has a Tele-style pickup mount hinged onto a Strat-type bridge with a tremolo block underneath (THAT might fill Chris Buck with horror perhaps?). This brings up the issue that all Strats have the same bend at the bridge which you were alluding to. The most extreme angle that either through-body Teles or standard Strats put the string through, is about 45 degrees but is indeed a sharp bend. If players who break strings experience most of the breaks around this point, I'd not be surprised.

[@davidjohnston4240]

@@Maltloaflegrande I was offering a handy mental trick to adapt to a top loader. Not a fact based analysis. My real thoughts are this: My beef with the top loader and similar on many hardtail bridges (especially Fender's) is that the ball end is way too close to the bridge leading to the wrapped end sometimes reaching the bridge and not having enough adjustment range to intonate thicker strings. Just make the bridge a few mm longer, moving the ball end of the string back and you solve both problems. I've built a couple of partscasters with the schaller hardtail bridge with the string spacing adjustment. That does give more room. You could put 13s on that sucker and not run out of intonation range on the low E string.

[@ChemicalManUSA]

Love your videos! I can't play for beans, but I do love watching a master guitarist do their thing! Informative and a treat for the ears, too.

[@arleymoreno25]

Aunque casi nunca entiendo lo que dices, veo tus videos por verte tocar, eres el mejor chirs!!! It is so fascinating your playing!!

[@marin4311]

There is slightly less body in the sound on the top-loaded one. The sound and the feel seems a little lighter. But the differense is quite subtle. Like always, the sound remains in the fingers.

[@TheOsfania]

Bullshit.

[@stephengilbert608]

I’m wondering how, when the pitch is determined by the length and tension of the vibrating part of the string, top loading vs through-body changes how it feels or sounds. My big takeaway, not being a DIY Isaac Newton (lol!), is that whatever Chris Buck plays, it sounds like Chris Buck. Which, by the way, is bloody marvellous!!

[@PlanetGareth]

Tasty intro jam, love it and thanks for reminding me to go listen to Ocean Size Jane's Addiction so I hope that was your plan 👍

[@s0und350]

The tone on that opening jam is other worldly - well played !

[@rinseyvessel6523]

I think that there is a pleasant stringiness in the top loading sound.

[@big_bicep_bill7594]

I actually had an idea the other day to take a string through tele and drill some holes to accommodate asn extra set of strings to turn it into a 12 string.

[@J00PIE]

how do you do that on the headstock?

[@Riverdeepnwide]

That will work or Gotoh makes (made?) a 12 string fully intonated Tele bridge. The second course of tuners can be added to the side of a standard headstock at 90 degrees with the strings passing through the face of the headstock. There are good photos on the Telecaster forums. Alternately a set of Steinberger tuners will also work at a bit more expense.

[@big_bicep_bill7594]

@@J00PIE I believe at one point in the 70s fender made a 12 string jaguar style guitar so I'd try track down one of them and put that headstock on. Edit: turns out their was also a run of 12 string strats.

[@big_bicep_bill7594]

@@Riverdeepnwide that's not a bad idea. I'll see if I can find that bridge used on reverb or smthn

[@guitarifuldexter6366]

That solo at the start along with all the other ones are AMAZING!

[@sacardevos]

Man. I love this channel! You should do a solo instrumental album. Your solos are absolutely killer!!!

[@TeiscoCurlee]

If it's good enough for the Jim's, it's good enough for me! Love my toploader!

[@aniquinstark4347]

I truly, truly do not care how my strings are attached lmao. I just care that my guitar plays well, intonates, and stays in tune

[@ronaldjames6067]

Wow, man, your jams are really cool in this !

[@jordanpriest3629]

much love from New Mexico Chris. hope all is well

[@TheFarout69]

This argument goes on forever about the top loading thing. I just wish I could play like Chris Buck. I should practice more.

[@Glicksman1]

Of course, practicing is how we get better, BUT, what Chris has and can do has nothing whatsoever to do with mere practice. I'm certain that I could practice 24 hours a day, every day, and never be able to play as well as Chris. Sure, he must practice as well as the rest of us but that's where "the rest of us" gets left in the dust. Unlike virtually all of "the rest of us", Chris is a remarkably talented musician. So what does that mean? Well, it means many things but most of all that his musical imagination is what it is which, in my opinion, is that of simply one of the finest, most melodic, and powerful guitar players I have ever heard. That's all. As for top or body through string-loading, just play your guitar and forget all of that nonsense.

[@mrmasrawy92]

Here's a video suggestion.. "How to play like Chris Buck!"

[@sirlost94]

We’re going to need tabs on that incredible intro jam 😳😳😳 so explosive!!

[@loopie007]

Thank you, Chris. I really enjoy your channel. Very educational.

[@garethhodgson1404]

Great playing Fella, I bought a Squier Affinity Tele recently, I'm so impressed with it..

[@teleguy5699]

Have one myself.

[@SD_UK]

Those Affinity Teles have to be the best bang for the buck on the planet.

[@benallmark9671]

@@SD_UK I agree , I love those silky satin necks. A joy to play

[@ebathurst9216]

Feel like the top loader is a bit more trebly

[@ChrisVye]

it's very subtle indeed but I agree.. had just a touch more presence (air) to my ear.

[@jorgetenamusic]

I agree too

[@tlister67]

I heard the same as well, I would choose string through

[@JeffSealePhD]

Seemed a tad brighter to me as well.

[@dorksouls978]

Fucking hilarious. Despite the fact there's literally no difference you're all in here claiming otherwise. I suspect you all think rosewood fretboards sound "warmer" too, right? What a joke.

[@huwwynjones2144]

"DIY Issac Newtons" !!! LOLZ. Love the quiet humour of this channel.

[@anthonywurst2548]

Great work, Chris. Thanks for a fun video.