Breaking D strings

[1954bassman]

So I went to the guitar show in Charlotte today and came home with a set of DR Flatwounds for my Sterling 5H. I couldn't wait to take the Chromes off and put the DRs on. Everything was fine until I went to bring the D up to pitch and it broke - right where the string makes the turn out of the tuner post. Since I had about five wraps around the post, I trimmed the broken end off, re-bent the string and strung it up again, only to have it break again at the same place. I repeated this again, and yep, the string broke again.

Then I think, well, I will just have to put the Chrome set's D back on to at least have her strung up. Looking at the Chrome D, I notice it is also ready to break, so I trim it back a little and repeat the entire process. it keep breaking.

What is going on here? I have been stringing up basses for over 40 years, so I would like to think I know what I am doing. I am wondering if the tuner is somehow sharp enough to be cutting these flats.

 

[Holdsg]

That's amazing, it takes so much more to break a bass string than a guitar string. sorry can't be of more help.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

That's amazing, it takes so much more to break a bass string than a guitar string. sorry can't be of more help.

Customer Service will be able to advise. There email is:

[email protected]

 

[jlepre]

Change to a better brand string. My EBMM Group IVs never let me down.

 

[1954bassman]

I can't help but wonder about the tuner instead of the strings. No one at the guitar show had EB flats.

 

[1954bassman]

Also, the strings were breaking at about c# ---weird

 

[bovinehost]

Are you trimming the ends off the strings?

I have some thoughts about this, particularly as regards flatwounds. I could be wrong.......

 

[1954bassman]

Yes, I trimmed some off. It looks like the outer wrapping slips off right at the tuner, exposing the small core wire, which ends up breaking. It is the D string only, and I started out with at least four wraps around the tuner post. I have been playing a long time, but just started using MM basses last December, and these are the first basses I have ever had with the 4 + 1 headstock, and it is that D giving be trouble. I did change the strings on my other Sterling (I put roundwound EBs on it) with no problem.

 

[five7]

I didn't have any problems using slinkys on it and I changed strings 3 or 4 times while I owned the bass. If you think it is the tuner, let me know and I will send you one.

 

[bovinehost]

Yes, I trimmed some off. It looks like the outer wrapping slips off right at the tuner, exposing the small core wire, which ends up breaking. It is the D string only, and I started out with at least four wraps around the tuner post. I have been playing a long time, but just started using MM basses last December, and these are the first basses I have ever had with the 4 + 1 headstock, and it is that D giving be trouble. I did change the strings on my other Sterling (I put roundwound EBs on it) with no problem.

Well, as much as I shy away from internet diagnosis, I think I know the answer to this and it's not the tuner.

My educated guess is - it's the strings. For technical reasons that I once knew but have since forgotten, the outer wrap of flatwounds can and sometimes does separate from the core when the strings are trimmed. The common failure point is simply where the stress is greatest, there at the tuner.

Once the core and wrap are separated, that's about it for that string.

The solution is either (a) don't trim the string until it's at tension and snug against the post or (b) put a 90 degree crimp in the string just above where you plan to trim it. I use plan B and it generally works like a champ.

Again, this is internet diagnosis and so worth every penny you paid for it, but I've been using flats for a LONG time and I bet this is the issue.

Jack

 

[drTStingray]

I agree with Jack - I had the exact same thing happen with a couple of Rotosound rounds (which have coloured material wraps at the ends) - I trimmed the string and it kept failing when it got to a certain tension - the outer wrap broke at the tuning peg leaving a short section of thin wire (I think it was one of the thinner strings also - D or G).

My solution is to not trim this type - I remember it was extremely annoying at the time and something I don't want to repeat!

 

[1954bassman]

I am thinking the last two posts are right on. And Jack, I already put the 90 degree bend in the strings before I trim them. I will call Kim At Dr tomorrow and see if I can beg a free D off of her.

Something else that I am thinking. Since I am "new" to the 4+1 headstock. I am wondering if I need to do as John suggested, and just go with Ernie Ball Flats. Could be these other brands' D string is just too short. I am looking for a stiff, thuddy string for my Sterling 5H.

Also thanks to five7 for the offer, but right now, I think the tuner is not the problem. I do have a loose / slightly floopy "A" tuner on my Sterling 5HS I thought about checking with customer service about replacing..

 

[Aussie Mark]

I am wondering if I need to do as John suggested, and just go with Ernie Ball Flats

Ernie Ball Flats = Chromes

 

[Holdsg]

not in my experience.

Ernie Ball Flats (especially Group III) > D'addario Chromes


or where you just saying they would perform the same for the OP's problem?

 

[1954bassman]

DR is mailing me a new D string. Let's hope I can get it on without breaking it.....

 

[1954bassman]

Ernie Ball Flats = Chromes

Are you saying D'Addarrio makes EB Flats?

 

[Aussie Mark]

Are you saying D'Addarrio makes EB Flats?

It's not a secret. Same strings, different packaging.

 

[Holdsg]

my head is saying trust Aussie Mark, but my fingers say no way are they the same strings.
maybe I learnt somfin new today.

 

[five7]

Are you saying D'Addarrio makes EB Flats?

Does D'Addarrio make all of the Ernie Ball strings? Or just flats.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Does D'Addarrio make all of the Ernie Ball strings? Or just flats.

As I understand it, Ernie Ball make all their guitar strings, and most of their bass strings - flats are only a small percentage of their string sales, so it makes commercial sense for EB to contract that out to a large scale string manufacturer such as D'Addario. It's quite common for string companies to make other brands, for example Sadowsky Flats are made by LaBella.