How often do your strings break and which string breaks most?

GuitarBizarre · 12-10-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr dave

(i don't remember who said it but the basic attitude is, the tone can only die so much)

I'm not sure I agree with that, and in any case one of the major reasons apart from feel to replace a guitar string is because the intonation will go further and further out as the back of the string flattens to the frets curvature. If your strings are too old, then you'll also be out of tune :P

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Listening to: Biosphere - [Substrata #07] Kobresia [foobar2000 v1.0.3]

JakeDTH · 12-10-2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr dave

like GB said, there's something wrong here, especially where a WOUND string is always the first one to break...

where does the break happen? is it always at the same spot?

typically strings break at 2 locations, either right at the saddle or near the tuning peg. they're usually due to the same thing as well, some kind of burr or jagged edge in the path of the string. i used to get that a lot with my high E saddle, the file from a nail clipper fixed that. just slide through the groove a few times until it feels smooth to your fingertip. if you feel any kind of harshness or edge then rub it some more. you might have to find a rounded metal file if it's due to a sharp edge in the tuning peg.

i've NEVER snapped a string from strumming too hard, though i've worn down many pics at the top of the fretboard from the same ferocity. the only time i've popped strings in the last decade was from pressing down on them between the nut and the tuning pegs to fake pulling up on a whammy bar (and that was probably more likely to the guitar being in a frozen car for an hour before doing something like that within 20 minutes of taking it out.)

i also don't replace my guitar strings nearly as often as i should (i don't remember who said it but the basic attitude is, the tone can only die so much), and i don't ever plan on replacing the strings on my bass unless they snap.

They always break at the saddle. They kind of snap the inner part of the string and leave the wounded metal still loosely connected. Here's the kind of saddle I have: http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbas...7/7/662077.jpg I've had only one guitar string break at the tuning peg, it happened because somehow my tuner got set to Bass and I didn't check before I started. I've never had a string snap in the middle.

I've never actually broken a string from strumming too hard. Normally I'll take my guitar out of its bag, sit down with it, start playing to check the tuning and normally it's way off (like way more than normal), so I begin to tune it and the string will break.

How fine does the file have to be?

Alfred · 12-10-2010, 09:13 PM

I break maybe two or three a year... not very often. I'd say the high E and G strings break the most, but I've probably broken every one at some point.

GuitarBizarre · 12-11-2010, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeDTH

They always break at the saddle. They kind of snap the inner part of the string and leave the wounded metal still loosely connected. Here's the kind of saddle I have: http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbas...7/7/662077.jpg I've had only one guitar string break at the tuning peg, it happened because somehow my tuner got set to Bass and I didn't check before I started. I've never had a string snap in the middle.

I've never actually broken a string from strumming too hard. Normally I'll take my guitar out of its bag, sit down with it, start playing to check the tuning and normally it's way off (like way more than normal), so I begin to tune it and the string will break.

How fine does the file have to be?

Thats definitely some kind of burr or sharp edge on the saddle. Its cutting through the windings over time until they snap, and if you left it on there it would eventually do the same to the core.

Those kinds of saddles would need a fairly small file but really a bit of sandpaper might do it, just fold over some low grit paper and run it through the saddle a few times.

JakeDTH · 12-11-2010, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuitarBizarre

Thats definitely some kind of burr or sharp edge on the saddle. Its cutting through the windings over time until they snap, and if you left it on there it would eventually do the same to the core.

Those kinds of saddles would need a fairly small file but really a bit of sandpaper might do it, just fold over some low grit paper and run it through the saddle a few times.

Okay, I'll do that. I actually just noticed that if I run my fingernail across where the string lays on the saddle, it actually kind of scratches my fingernail, it feels like sandpaper or running my nail across a blade of a knife.

What causes this to happen, just wear I assume? If wasn't like this when I bought the guitar.

GuitarBizarre · 12-11-2010, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeDTH

Okay, I'll do that. I actually just noticed that if I run my fingernail across where the string lays on the saddle, it actually kind of scratches my fingernail, it feels like sandpaper or running my nail across a blade of a knife.

What causes this to happen, just wear I assume? If wasn't like this when I bought the guitar.

Could be any number of things. Maybe you put an already damaged string on it once and if it happens to be a cheap saddle, and not hard enough, that caused a burr that got worse over time.

The Monkey · 12-14-2010, 12:02 PM

I've only ever had strings break once, when tuning the thin E string. Never when playing. (Been playing guitar for 1½ years.)

BloodFoxTK · 12-20-2010, 01:19 PM

the high e.
all. the. time. it's kinda frustrating.
anybody got any ideas as to where i'm going wrong?

Bushidosniper · 01-01-2011, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BloodFoxTK

the high e.
all. the. time. it's kinda frustrating.
anybody got any ideas as to where i'm going wrong?

Same here. Idk I guess it always breaks cuz i use it so much for shredding and double tapping xD

GuitarBizarre · 01-01-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushidosniper

Same here. Idk I guess it always breaks cuz i use it so much for shredding and double tapping xD

Again, that wouldn't be the problem. If you're breaking strings either your technique is terrible or your guitar has a problem. Someone with good technique should never break a string while playing a well setup guitar.

Same for the post above yours. Learn to play without jackhammering the strings (You can only hit a string so hard before its pointless and won't be any louder), or alternatively, look at the guitar being the problem.

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Listening to: Ozric Tentacles - [Erpland #06] Crackerblocks [foobar2000 v1.0.3]

12-10-2010, 09:13 PM	#13 (permalink)
Alfred one big soul Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5,096	I break maybe two or three a year... not very often. I'd say the high E and G strings break the most, but I've probably broken every one at some point. __________________ LAST.FM / VINYL COLLECTION / RYM

12-14-2010, 12:02 PM	#17 (permalink)
The Monkey Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sweden Posts: 803	I've only ever had strings break once, when tuning the thin E string. Never when playing. (Been playing guitar for 1½ years.) __________________ Now another stranger seems to want you to ignore his dreams as though they were the burden of some other My Last.fm

12-20-2010, 01:19 PM	#18 (permalink)
BloodFoxTK the only one you need! Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: South Island, Mobius Posts: 227	the high e. all. the. time. it's kinda frustrating. anybody got any ideas as to where i'm going wrong?