problems with 12 string sets. 2230 8's

[steevo]

My dad owns a 12 string fender strat, we both only use ernie ball strings and i have been using ernie ball 12 string 9's for a while but have changed to 8's due to the 9's causing the neck to bow too much.
Much prefered the lighter sound of the 8's but both sets ive used ive had issues.
The first set i had, one high e (8 gauge) string broke after a few days.
Today i have re strung it with a brand new set of 2230's and have had the high g string (8 gauge) break, the ball end came off.
Ive also had similar issues with the ernie ball 9's too.

Any one had similar experiences? Not very happy overall with the performance of the 12 string sets ive used up to now. No issue with the slinkys though

 

[steevo]

Strings have been on three days, guitar hardly played, just sat down to play it and found the high e string, 8 gauge, going out of tune. Tried tuning it but the ball end has come unwound. Really annoyed with this now, had to use three extra single strings since I've put this set on three days ago.

 

[DrKev]

Obviously customer service are on Christmas break, so send them (or Strings & Things UK) an email and they will get back to you as soon as they can.

Sometimes new strings break, it's rare but it'll happen to everyone from time to time. But, when strings regularly break on the guitar in the same or similar places, that strongly suggests an issue on the guitar - a sharp edge or pressure burr or indentation that damages the strings or windings. Obviously, light strings will be more prone to this than heavy strings. Fortunately, the position of the break will tell you where to look.

Here's an old thread of mine, showing how I solved this problem when the saddle is the cause of the problem. It's an easy fix.

http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-guitars/58176-breaking-strings-saddles-heres-2-minute-fix.html

In your case, you need to find and examine all the relevant contact points between the string and the bridge assembly betwee the ball end and the saddle. A magnifying glass or digital camera with macro function will help.

 

[steevo]

It's not breakage so much, it's the ball unwinding. I've checked the bridge, it's the same unit used on the MM twin neck 12 string, no rough edges or issues with the saddles.

 

[jaymac54]

Hi,
I have got the same problem, I have had it happen on the 8 gauge strings 4 times, it's a pain in the A***
This has to be a manufacturing problem, at first I thought the strings were breaking, but then realised they
were unwinding on the ferrule, as I was tuning.

 

[steevo]

Had major issues with two sets of 8's and a set of 9's. Have examined the guitar and there are no issues with bridge, but or saddles. Its only the last few sets of strings ive used.

 

[TheStiffness]

Email CS

Had major issues with two sets of 8's and a set of 9's. Have examined the guitar and there are no issues with bridge, but or saddles. Its only the last few sets of strings ive used.

Hi Steevo,

Sorry to hear about

Send me an email - [email protected] - with your mailing address. We'll take care of you!

Best,
Nathan

 

[steevo]

Thank you