Zums

Bill Fall · From: Richmond, NH, USA

Is it just mine, or do all Zums pop 3rd strings (E9th) on gauges thicker than .011? I've used .012s on all other steels I've had & this is the 1st one that just won't tolerate even .0115. (But this is the 1st long-scale neck I've ever owned.) My apologies if this has already been discussed earlier.

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

If your string is breaking at the keyhead, you might have a burr on a key shaft or a roller nut not working smoothly. If they are breaking at the bridge roller after a few gigs or hours of playing, probably normal.

If this breakage is out of the norm from previous experience with this guitar, probably have some bad strings.

Early 80's Zum here. About average 3rd string breakage. Every 6 to 8 gigs. Less than my previous Mullen, slightly more than the old PP I had. All 24 1/4" scales.

FWIW, I use a .013 ga. on the 3rd. string. I can't tell any difference in longevity with this v .012 [normal 3rd for me] or .011.

Might just be the difference in individual guitars.

Bill Fall · From: Richmond, NH, USA

Thanks Jerry. Before downgrading to .011s, I went through 6 or more .012s and .0115s combined, different brands, different batches. They'd pop sometimes even before I got them up to pitch -- breaking mostly behind the bridge, but at least once behind the nut roller. Both the roller & changer are fine.

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

i had a 1983 Zum that broke 3rds somewhat often until i figured out the cause
the string dug a channel on the changer finger, so i slightly ground it out by hand w: a fine dremel emery rubberized wheel
i have a 2006 Zum that has'nt caused any breakage aside from normal wear
(i use the jagwire 011.5)

i would like to commend Williams for the conception of his changer : instead of that 90° angle that strings take on most steels, he's got a less severe angle

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

I dunno...I defer to Bruce Zumsteg, but I would think any Zum would tolerate a 12 no problem.... Aside from overtuning the pedaled A note or a burr somewhere or gouge in the roller bridge finger.

Incidentally, I currently have SIT's in my seat for singles and George L's. The 12's and 13's are holding up well for 3rds on my guitars.

Inspect the mechanics carefully. Hopefully, you are just overlooking some small defect.

Is this a brand new guitar?

James Marlowe · From: Florida, USA

I use .0115 with good results. However, my Zum doesn't like the .012's that I've tried. They will pop on tuning or the first time I pedal it (breaks at the changer end).
Could be the strings. They're some I ordered in gross from Musicians Friend several years ago.
_________________
J.R. Marlowe
Life has many choices. Eternity has TWO. I choose Heaven.
Black '95 Zumsteel SD10, 4+5;Black Mullen RP SD10, 4+5
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Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

What is the scale length of a Zum? Winking

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Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952.

Jeff Valentine · From: Colorado Springs, USA

I never break the 3rd string. If anything it will be the 5th string.

-Jeff

John Groover McDuffie · From: LA California, USA

Zum uses a 24 1/4" scale length.

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

Next to no breakage EVER on my Zum. I've had fine luck with .012s and usually use .0115s. In fact, I have to keep an eye on strings to change them when they get old as they virtually never break otherwise.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

I never break strings at all on either of my 2 Zums - I have used .0115 Jagwires for some years now... sounds like you might have a burr on the changer finger maybe ?? Try some Jagwires and see if there is a difference in how long they last.
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14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
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chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

82 zum...rare string breakage....even rarer changing of strings.
on the third string...12's and 11.5's..no problems.
usually use 10's though.
worst luck with 11's.

Tony Rankin · From: Land O’ Lakes, FL

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

No trouble w/.012's at all. Broke 2 in 3 years.

Danny Letz · From: Old Glory,Texas, USA 79540

I used to have trouble with the third and sometimes others and it all stopped and I cannot tell you for the life of me why. All I can figure is either the strings or my technique improved. I didn't do anything to the Zums that should have made a difference. I now sometimes worry about my spare strings getting old before I use them. I have run into the tuning peg hole cutting strings on several different brands. Just use a Dremmel and smooth it up.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I use a .012 on my Zum with no problem.

Dennis Wallis · From: Arkansas

That's stretching a .012 awfully tight . No wonder they break . Whoa!

Charlie Hase · From: Canada

FWIW - I've had a bad experience with even a batch of 20 .011's that kept breaking... I was going crazy trying to find the problem w/ the guitar, until I finally tried a different brand of string... I think I just got a bad batch...

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