G#’s Keep Breaking

FRANK MARIANO · From: PENSACOLA FL

All my many years playing I have never had this issue. I play Zum steels.yesterday I changed strings and have broken four 11 gauges. I lubed the roller nuts and the changer, any clue why this is happening???
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Howard Parker · From: Maryland

The key question is __WHERE__ are they breaking? The changer end, the roller nut, tuning machine...or?

h

FRANK MARIANO · From: PENSACOLA FL

BREAKING AT THE CHANGER
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FRANK MARIANO · From: PENSACOLA FL

I backed off the nylon nut and started from scratch just now I’m hoping this is the fix. I thing i may of over tuned the Nylon nut
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FRANK MARIANO · From: PENSACOLA FL

So what i did was backed off the nylon nut then tuned it open and then gradually tuned the pedal . Fingers crossed I hope this is the fix .Thanks H for the rapid response
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Howard Parker · From: Maryland

If breaking at the changer end you can start by checking for burrs,grooves, rough spots on the finger as well as where the string ball physically attaches..

Good luck.

h
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Dave O'Brien · From: Florida and New Jersey

See my post
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Steve Lipsey · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

Dave - sorry, can't see your post....??
OP- if nothing changed but the strings, could be a bad batch of them, if it wasn't overtuned try a different batch...
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Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=3215172&highlight=#3215172
Dave's SIT thread/.

I'll add my 2¢ here. Strings breaking from fatigue usually break at the changer roller or right at the nut roller area.

If they are breaking anywhere toward the middle or away from either mentioned above, probably bad strings. That's been my experience anyway...FWIW.

Larry Dering · From: Missouri, USA

There seems to be a sudden increase in breaking the .011 strings. I haven't experienced this issue but a lot of posts are popping up on SIT strings and maybe a couple others. Are they all getting the wire from the same mills? Rather odd coincidence.

FRANK MARIANO · From: PENSACOLA FL

Yes indeed SIT are the ones that are breaking . Thought I had it fixed last night by backing out the nylon nut and tuning up open then tune the pedal. No luck broke the 5th 11 this morning. Have a gig this afternoon and will have to head to local music store and pick up some 11”s
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Ronald Sikes · From: Corsicana, Tx

Frank , simple answer. BAD BATCH. And before everyone jumps in about string brands I’ve had them break with a lot of different brands. I use SITs and got a bad batch one time. Called SIT and they sent me some out free of charge, no hassle. 😊
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Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

Yep, a bad batch. I went through this last year. SIT strings... three .011's in a row broke! I was so frustrated, I ordered a new tuner from Mullen. I put the new tuner on the guitar and then broke another .011! The roller was fine, so the problem had to be the strings. I've since gone back to buying single strings by gauge from my local music store.
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Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

4 strings braking in a row ? Well, next time maybe stop at two, drag some cotton over the changer to check for a burr or edge of any kind. If there is no burr proceed. SLOWLY.

Rather than bringing the new string to G# bring it slowly to G. Before bringing it all the way to G# press the B Pedal slowly to be certain it is only bringing it up a half step. With it still tuned to G, tug the string mildly to give it a stretch , do this a few times, if it doesn't break tune it to G #...slowly.

In this matter you are isolating the string from the Instrument as we must be certain our instrument is not causing the break.

Fact of the matter is we assume all NEW strings are good, they are not. They are MOSTLY GOOD while our expectations are that they are all good. I think we have all been here before , a dozen .011's in a pack and all of a sudden a couple break for no known reason.

I personally have not broke a 3rd string in well over a decade but have changed them at home numerous times . I typically change 3+5 every couple of weeks when I am active. I use my tuning method above and take nothing for granted. Its a piece of .011 wire !

I don't think brand has anything to do with it, well anyways it didn't for me. I have had them break right out of the package and they were not brand specific. it was process related. Always check and confirm the Instrument is not causing the issue first, in that manner you know what the culprit is, and yep, new strings break right out of the gate. Bringing a string such as an .011 to G# right away is a massive amount of physical stress on the string. Treat it like a baby ! Feed it slowly !

Years back, and I don't recall who told me this, when I did break a 3rd string on a gig, I never actually brought it to G# right away, it was something less and when I played I slanted the bar slightly. Nobody knew I was in "cautious mode" after maybe 4 or 5 songs I brought it to G#. It was then that I started changing 3 + 5 at home before gigs. I decided that I wasn't going for the world record on how long a 3rd string lasts ! 2 weeks or maybe 3 or 4 gigs and it was gone !

tp
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Jim Park · From: Carson City, Nv

I too have noticed this, but with D’Addarios. Something I picked up on while changing a .011, was when I cut it, it didn’t snap like it usually does. I thought to myself, this string ain’t gonna work and sure enough it didn’t even get up to pitch. I’m gonna check my .011’s and see if I find any soft ones and cull them out.

Ken Metcalf · From: San Antonio Texas USA

Hello Ken,
Today I mailed you some .011 gauge strings. When you get time, could you provide me with feedback on how they preform for you?
I appreciate you bringing to our attention about the string breaking issue.
This is a serious matter for us and we want to get it corrected.
If you have any questions you can email me direct.

Thank you,
Eddie Speedy
President
S.I.T. String Co. Inc,
330-434-9729
www.sitstrings.com
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