String breakage

Stephen Williams · From: from Wales now in Berkeley,Ca, USA

I keep breaking 11ga strings when going from G# to A. Consequently I've been playing down a step in D. Then everything is fine.
Only thing is I have G# on 2nd string so angle of string is steeper than standard. That could be it. Also wondering if winding string around as normal and putting extra windings on the plain shaft of the tuner would help.
My guitar is a Regson which no-one has heard of. Better not to ask about my weird copedant I'm playing in. Just adapting what I had and never having an opportunity to play E9 guitar led me to my current setup.

Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

Stephen Williams · From: from Wales now in Berkeley,Ca, USA

Thanks, will try.

Tucker Jackson · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

Stephen, where exactly is the string breaking? At the tuning post? At the point where it crosses the roller nut? At the bridge?

If it's at the bridge, you might want to try very lightly wet-sanding any burrs there, and then polish it with something like Simichrome. Be sure to maintain the exact curvature of the finger and do NOT sand it flat on top. Otherwise, that string will buzz.

Also, be sure to use the highest quality strings you can find: Live Steel Strings, Jagwire, Cobra Coil, SIT, and a few others will eliminate "low quality" as being the issue.

You might also try using a slightly heavier .0115 gauge instead of an .011 for that 3rd string.

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

On several different brands of guitars that were breaking strings at the tuning post I have found that the hole in the tuner post was to sharp. Just take a Dremmel and round the sharp edges of the hole carefully like you were a dentist working on a cavity. It may be cutting the string.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

The location of the break tells you how to fix it.
Breaking on tuner? Wrap it past the hole or file the rough spots smooth.
Breaking on roller nut? Clean rollers and axle, put a drop of oil (or TriFlow) on the axle.
Breaking on the changer finger? CAREFULLY smooth the rough spot (don't change the radius).
Breaking anywhere else? You have a bad string.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

One tip - on the small plain strings, I recommend no less than 7 or 8 wraps around the tuner, and make sure the string is pulling straight! Wind the string so that the final wrapping makes it as straight as possible. I also noticed reduced breakage with an .0115 on the third string. Cool

Eric Philippsen · From: Central Florida USA

You could also be breaking 3rd strings because they're all from a bad batch of strings. It happens because it did to me.

It drove me crazy because I kept putting on another and another and another 3rd string. I'd tune it up, play a little and it would break. I looked at the tuner, the roller nut, everything, and finally figured out that ALL of the strings were bad in that they couldn't tolerate the repeated pulls. They were all from the same batch.
I bought several others from another source and they all held up well.

Roger Shackelton · From: MINNESOTA (deceased)

Has Anyone Tried A .012 Gauge String Instead of An .011 Gauge? Smile

Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

The first thing is Follow Lane Gray's post. Where is it breaking? Where it is breaking will say how you will have to fix it. If you got some bad strings changing to another lot of strings may be the only solution. I bought a dozen .011 3rd strings. I would have to replace them once or twice a week. They were breaking on the changer finger. When they broke viewing them with a high magnifying glass showed a long angled break across the string. I bought strings from another lot and they would last from string change to string change. If they breaking at the tuner. Be sure to wind the solid strings on the tuner carefully lining them even, 4 or more wraps on the shaft to get back from the cross hole in the tuner shaft. If you don't wind enough raps and the strings tunes with the string on the edge of the cross hole look out. I made a quick change on stage one night after a 3rd string broke. The next day I was practicing a song for the gig that night. The string broke at the tuner shaft, the string flipped over my bar hand and stuck in my right hand ring finger to the bone, OUCH OUCH. Good luck in finding the cause and curing it.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I saw a comment by Buddy Emmons that the 3rd string should have at least 5 turns on the tuning key shaft.

But, where its breaking will determine the steps to help reduce it.

Stephen Williams · From: from Wales now in Berkeley,Ca, USA

Thanks so much for all the help and good advice. I will track it down. This forum is so great.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

Stephen you should try a .012 and see how that goes once you have checked all the things mentioned above... some guitars like a heavier gauge on the 3rd...and they sound better as well Very Happy

_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.

Llorens del Rio · From: Spain

[quote="Lane Gray"]The location of the break tells you how to fix it.

Breaking on roller nut? Clean rollers and axle, put a drop of oil (or TriFlow) on the axle.

It worked with a drop of oil, thanks Lane and everyone! Smile

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

chasing strings that break...

Sorry, don't change the gauge until you know why the 11's are breaking. 11's are the standard gauge that are dominant in use. Changing the gauge now could mask the problem, if there even is one.

At the ball end, at the bridge, at the post.

First , always grab a string from another source, even if it's from a new set. Never rule out that the string itself is the culprit.

Start with the 99 cent fix. We have all been down this road with a bad batch of strings, well, maybe not all, but many of us...

To learn if you have a bur, either at the post or on the bridge, take a piece of dry cotton ( Q-Tip) and swab it lightly over both locations.

oh, and this

make sure you are indeed tuned to pitch and not beyond. Stranger things have happened.

good luck !
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years

CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website

Tommy Mc · From: Middlesex VT

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

Well done, Llorens, for finding an old thread instead of asking all over again!
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs

Bill Ford · From: Graniteville SC Aiken

Before I put any string (especially .011) I grip the ball and hold lightly between thumb, and index finger of the other hand, and pull through to feel for defects. I did that the last set installed , the .011 had several bad spots that looked like a bad pull, part of the string was actually missing, looked like rust but part of the string was missing. If there is a kink, or bad/rough feel, don't use it.

Bill
_________________
Bill Ford S12 CLR, S12 Lamar keyless, Misc amps&toys Sharp Covers
Steeling for Jesus now!!!

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

All of the options listed are good to check. The main thing I do is keep fresh strings available. I purchase from Fred Justice, Ray Thomas and Juststrings.com. I keep pulls & lowers with a easy feel also which in my .02 opinion seems to require less pressure w/ Kl'ers & Pedals.

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic