breaking strings left and right

[JohnnyC]

I've been playing guitar and using EBs for 25 years and have constantly had problems breaking my A and D strings. Whether in standard tuning or a half-step down (during my SRV phase), using regular slinky. power slinky, on a Les Paul, Strat, Tele, etc. It doesn't seem to matter. I've tried String Saver Saddles, lighter picks, everything short of sacrificing a virgin into a volcano. I don't consider myself a super-hard player. I play from the wrist, not the elbow! Should I go to a heavier gauge on the A and D? I just want to get through a gig without breaking a string!!! I don't know if it was the humidity, but last Saturday night I broke 2 at once, swapped guitars, and broke 2 at once again on the final tune! I don't want to start carrying 3 guitars to gigs... Any suggestions?

[michael carr]

I've been playing guitar and using EBs for 25 years and have constantly had problems breaking my A and D strings. Whether in standard tuning or a half-step down (during my SRV phase), using regular slinky. power slinky, on a Les Paul, Strat, Tele, etc. It doesn't seem to matter. I've tried String Saver Saddles, lighter picks, everything short of sacrificing a virgin into a volcano. I don't consider myself a super-hard player. I play from the wrist, not the elbow! Should I go to a heavier gauge on the A and D? I just want to get through a gig without breaking a string!!! I don't know if it was the humidity, but last Saturday night I broke 2 at once, swapped guitars, and broke 2 at once again on the final tune! I don't want to start carrying 3 guitars to gigs... Any suggestions?

hey johnny are they breaking at the same length or place ive never broken an A string in 20 years ! check your nut slots and saddles for burrs , and the nut slots should be angeled for good string bending and vibrato michael

[tkarter]

Try lubricating the nut slots with a number 2 pencil lead when you change strings. Solved all my problems on several guitars with different string brands.


tk

[michael carr]

Try lubricating the nut slots with a number 2 pencil lead when you change strings. Solved all my problems on several guitars with different string brands.


tk

do you have a floating tremolo ? will the #2 pencil lead do any good on that locking nut ? ive never tried that yet but knew about it in my repair and setup book ive done almost everything but refret them and paint that changes when you angle the guitar and age them which id love to learn the for fun and knowledge as a guitarist michael

[dlloyd]

I don't consider myself a super-hard player. I play from the wrist, not the elbow!

The two are not mutually exclusive.

The fact that it happens on all guitars you play regardless of string gauge would suggest that it's a technique thing. You're probably digging in deeper with your pick or hitting the string at a flatter angle than is necessary. That said, 25 years of doing that would be hard to unlearn.

Are these new strings you're breaking?

[michael carr]

The two are not mutually exclusive.

The fact that it happens on all guitars you play regardless of string gauge would suggest that it's a technique thing. You're probably digging in deeper with your pick or hitting the string at a flatter angle than is necessary. That said, 25 years of doing that would be hard to unlearn.

Are these new strings you're breaking?

a one more thing johnny are your picks rough edged when you break them strings at times i have but recenly not a problem as i throw it away after a couple of pick slides or scrapes for good mesure .hope you look at them every once in awhile and discard them when you should .michael

[nickdanger]

I have the same problem. A and D strings, breaking right at the saddles. I am going to buy some graphite saddles soon, hopefully they help.

[michael carr]

I have the same problem. A and D strings, breaking right at the saddles. I am going to buy some graphite saddles soon, hopefully they help.

hey nick can the string saver saddles be used on the floydrose floating tremolos ? as im courious thanks michael and by the way are you useing a tube amp and pedals and an attenuator . im looking for some good setups with stomp boxs and tube amps as ive got a blue voodoo 120 head and 4x12 cab with vintage 30's its nice any help would be nice thanks michael

[nickdanger]

I used to play Gibsons (of course I got rid of all of them once I discovered something called the Axis Super Sport), but I had graphite saddles on all of them. I did not break ONE string after that for about a year. I heard the saddles built for a PRS guitar can fit the sil or axis bridge, but I'm not sure about a floyd rose setup. good luck!

[michael carr]

I used to play Gibsons (of course I got rid of all of them once I discovered something called the Axis Super Sport), but I had graphite saddles on all of them. I did not break ONE string after that for about a year. I heard the saddles built for a PRS guitar can fit the sil or axis bridge, but I'm not sure about a floyd rose setup. good luck!

hey ! thanks for the advise i realy have never played any electric gibson and have had a archtop accoustic thats all the gibsons ive had and wont change guitars now or later thanks again michael

[esskell]

I've been breaking strings like crazy, usually A or D as well, and I play an Epi Vintage SG. It has a tune-o-matic bridge, so I changed the string saddles to Graph Techs. I play hard with a lot of palm muting, and so my style lends itself to breaking strings. I continued to break strings UNTIL I raised the tailpeice on my guitar. If you reduce the incline between the tailpeice and the bridge, you are relieving a LOT of pressure on the strings. We're talking a few pounds of tension for sure. Good luck!

- Esskell

[michael carr]

I've been breaking strings like crazy, usually A or D as well, and I play an Epi Vintage SG. It has a tune-o-matic bridge, so I changed the string saddles to Graph Techs. I play hard with a lot of palm muting, and so my style lends itself to breaking strings. I continued to break strings UNTIL I raised the tailpeice on my guitar. If you reduce the incline between the tailpeice and the bridge, you are relieving a LOT of pressure on the strings. We're talking a few pounds of tension for sure. Good luck!

- Esskell

hey bro i thought that the string angle at the bridge was supposed to be about 30 degrees no less with out looseing your tone.

some thing tells me there must have or still is a burr on the old saddles and or very sharp edges michael

[xlouserx]

dude that sounds so porno all this talk of lubricating and nuts is too much...lol yeah but i only break the lower e string....so i dont know what my deal is i guess i should stop palm muting

[skelly]

Hey Johnny,
I have to agree with dlloyd, it's got to be a technique thing. I've been playin' bass and guitar for 25 years. Heck, I've even built a few over the years. I've broken my share of strings at gigs, even bass strings that are 3 or 4 nights old when I was giggin' every day. But it's always been when I'm gettin' on it pretty hard.
I find that if your playing hard a lot, you'll loose feel. Ease up dude.

[sbriffe]

I used to break strings constantly. Now I play with 10's and Tortex .50 picks and it is a very rare occurrence. I play very very hard so I think you should try the Tortex red picks.