High e keeps snapping at ball

**Bolteh** · 03-14-2010, 04:05 PM

I'm using EB Power Slinkies (.11) on my Jazzmaster, and this is the third batch of strings that has the high e snapping during a 1+ fret bend. All of them snapped at the exact same position, right at the ball, just before the winding starts.

At first I thought it might be the holes in the trem-plate that may be too sharp, but I sanded them down a little + applied clear nail polish to it to make the edges a lot smoother, but to no avail. And at closer inspecting, there's no way the string can touch the edges anyway.

It really can't be age, since this last batch were put on last week. And while I may have sweaty hands, I wipe them off after each jam.

Is this a common problem with the strings or do I really need to look at my guitar to fix this?

**Colin** · 03-14-2010, 04:39 PM

it's going to be a saddle doing that, not the string

**DrGonzo5150** · 03-14-2010, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by Colin

it's going to be a saddle doing that, not the string

+1

Had a similar issue with one of my axes... Has a small saddle bur. Easy fix

**TNT** · 03-14-2010, 10:43 PM

Yeah, the problem isn't the string - however, the culprit is within 1" of the breaking point!!

**douglasspears** · 03-14-2010, 10:48 PM

he said it was breaking at the ball, so it's probably not the saddle, as the saddle wouldn't contact the string that close to the ball end. Jus sayin

**Bolteh** · 03-14-2010, 11:40 PM

Indeed, the bridge and tremolo (which holds the strings) are quite far apart on a Jazzmaster. It doesn't snap at the bridge, it snaps at the ball, just before the winding starts.

I'll try to take a picture of the recently snapped string when I get home from work tonight.

*Edit* Nevermind, still had a picture of the exact same problem a few months ago:

**TNT** · 03-15-2010, 08:44 PM

I guarantee you that your bridge or a piece of micro metal protrusion is "razor" sharp, and that the string does touch it during playing.

And, depending on your "set-up" the string is being "sliced" right in front of the ball. It doesn't appear to be an unwind!!

**marsguitars** · 03-23-2010, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by TNT

I guarantee you that your bridge or a piece of micro metal protrusion is "razor" sharp, and that the string does touch it during playing.

And, depending on your "set-up" the string is being "sliced" right in front of the ball. It doesn't appear to be an unwind!!

Presumably what you're saying is that the string can't slide over bridge during trem action, so applying excessive tension... causing it to snap at the ball end? Not that the sharp bit on the bridge is cutting through the string?

Or are you suggesting a sharp but at the tailpiece anchor (not bridge) that IS cutting the string directly?

**biggestmuff** · 03-23-2010, 09:35 PM

As others have said, it could be something with the guitar. However, you could try out the Ernie Ball RPS (Reinforced Plain String) line of strings. The extra bronze winding on the RPS strings may curtail the breakage if you've ran out of options troubleshooting the guitar.

Good luck and have fun!

Ernie Ball | Products

**TNT** · 03-24-2010, 12:29 AM

Yeah, by the looks of the pic, it appears to be a straight cut in the string!! And, if this is occuring at the "same" exact location, therein lies the answer.

**Amast3rmind69** · 04-19-2010, 06:13 AM

I have the exact same problem with my ernie ball .8. first off I am using a epiphone les paul standard. about three weeks ago about three little e strings broke in the same day. I gave guitar enter a call and they told me other people were calling with the same issue. So I called up ernie ball and they decided to send me three free packs. 1/3 of the e strings had the same issue. So yesterday I went to guitar center and I picked up another 2 packs of these strings and I also got 5 .8 e strings. 4 e strings have broken within 12 hours. Now that is poor quality. The .9's I used to get at target lasted longer then these. ernie ball is the only company hat I know of that makes .8 guita strings so I have to stick with them. They better fix this problem.

**Big Poppa** · 04-19-2010, 07:39 AM

Poor quality? 008s breaking....The GUitar Center guy is once again full of BS Did he call you Dude too...or Bro? We actually are not having any complaints other than yours and please take it to customer service dont pile on another thread.

**Amast3rmind69** · 04-19-2010, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by Big Poppa

Poor quality? 008s breaking....The GUitar Center guy is once again full of BS Did he call you Dude too...or Bro? We actually are not having any complaints other than yours and please take it to customer service dont pile on another thread.

damn your a real dick haaa bro. This thread is about how ernie ball strings are breaking at the ball. Am I correct dip****. Now guitar center told me other people are calling with the same issue. Guitar center told me to come in and they would replace them or I could give Ernie ball a call. I live to far away from guitar center so replacing them is out of the question. ernie ball sent me 3 packs for the inconvenience. Now that inconvenience has one again happen 3 weeks later. so yea I do say poor quality. obeviously its not my epi or this dudes jazzmaster either becuase we are experienceing the same issue. So grow some balls and comprehend what I am telling you. You know there is a problem with guitar strings when they break after 10 minutes after putting them on.

**PeteDuBaldo** · 04-19-2010, 10:58 AM

mastermind, calling the owner of the company who runs this messageboard a dick and dipsh!t is probably not in your best interest, especially as a brand new member.

Bottom line the 8s are breaking because they are either too light for your technique or there is a problem with your guitar.