String tuning and break issues on Luke 2

[PinkPR]

Hi guys !

Some days ago I noticed a lil problem on my Luke 2 : the high E string gets out of tune on every bend I do (2 steps or more). So I keep tightening it up and it's ok. But tonight, the string went from the E to a kinda Db several times, what is quite unusual and very bizarre. I tightened the string up and up and up, and it finally broke behind the bridge. While I was tuning it, the string was always getting down. I never reached the E

The strings I use are EB Hybrid Slinky, 9-46. On my main guitars (this one and an other Luke) I replace the strings every 3/4 weeks, so too old strings aren't the problem in my opinion. Maybe I'll have to lubricate the nut, but the fact that Lukather himself uses RPS strings made me think that string break near the bridge must occur frequently.

So did you guys experienced a similar string break problems on Lukes or EBMM guitars ? Do you have any advice to prevent those strings problem ?

By the way, that's the third string I broke in my life and it's always a shame

 

[ksandvik]

Never happened to me with my 2+ year old Luke II.

I would first just change strings in case this was just one unlucky batch. Also inspect the bridge in case something is there causing friction. I also lubricate the nut and bridge as friction causes tuning instabilities. But I would suspect the strings. It also helps to stretch them out properly before going out on a gig to shake out any metal tension that might cause slippage.

 

[BrickGlass]

The string came undone at the ball end where it is tied off. I've had that happen six or seven times in my life, almost always on the high E string. You do a bend, it goes waaaaay flat, tune up, next bend...really flat again. Almost always a sign that the string is about to break at the ball end. Solution? RPS strings. I've never had it happen since I started using the RPS strings. To be honest, I've never even broken an RPS string. I play almost every single day for extended periods of time, and I've never broken an RPS. I cannot praise them enough. It is absolutely nothing to worry about. Just a bad string.

 

[Craiguitar]

I had an issue a couple of years ago exactly like that. It happened a few times in a row, and I deduced it couldn't be a bad string every time. So, I figured the high e locking tuner was the culprit. I swapped the tuner for a new one, and problem solved. I think the high e string wears the inner working on the tuner mechanism more so than any other string. Hence, I have never had to replace the other five tuners.

 

[beej]

Right- but if it's breaking behind the bridge, then the tuner shouldn't really be the issue.

I agree with BrickGlass- I'd think the string is coming unraveled at the ball end. Either there's a burr, or just a bad string. RPS strings would be my next step too.

 

[BrickGlass]

beej is correct that breaking behind the bridge can be a burr. The big indicator that it is the winding coming undone around the ball end is the string going super flat on a bend, and when tuning it back up. RPS is going to make that much less likely to happen.

 

[damo_512]

This is exactly what's been happening on my JP15 in the last three weeks!

Assuming it is a burr behind the bridge, is there a way to fix it?

 

[BrickGlass]

damo, is your string going super flat on bends or flat while tuning up, and then breaking behind the bridge after a few minutes of this? Or, is it just breaking behind the bridge frequently? If it is just breaking frequently it is more likely a burr. However, if it is having the tuning issue where it goes really flat after bends or while tuning, then it breaks behind the bridge, it is more likely the winding around the ball end coming unraveled.

 

[damo_512]

It goes flat on the bends even after properly stretching the string. It eventually gets to the point where tuning it up doesn't even get to pitch as it loosens while tightening the tuning peg until it gives up and breaks. Now that I think of it, I did notice that the ball of the string does fall out with no strings attached (pun intended) so it seems it unravels.

I've never had this problem before on other guitars up until the last few weeks and that was the first time I restrung my JP since new.

 

[steevo]

I thought luke used m steels now?

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

 

[damo_512]

Does anyone know what causes the string to unwind at the ball end?

 

[xjbebop]

Does anyone know what causes the string to unwind at the ball end?

Stuff happens....

 

[BrickGlass]

Does anyone know what causes the string to unwind at the ball end?

Not sure to be honest.

 

[petegill]

Well fo the last 8 weeks I have broken 4 of the small E strings on my Olive Gold LIII. Prior to this, I had never broken a string. Happened again today so I'm now hunting up a fix. My LII has never broken a string that I can think of ... This is a total pain. I suspect there is a bur or something but I can't see or feel anything on the bridge.
Did you guys fix your problem .. and if so, How ?

Thanks, PG

 

[BrickGlass]

Well fo the last 8 weeks I have broken 4 of the small E strings on my Olive Gold LIII. Prior to this, I had never broken a string. Happened again today so I'm now hunting up a fix. My LII has never broken a string that I can think of ... This is a total pain. I suspect there is a bur or something but I can't see or feel anything on the bridge.
Did you guys fix your problem .. and if so, How ?

Thanks, PG

Is it always breaking in the same spot?

 

[look_at_her]

Well fo the last 8 weeks I have broken 4 of the small E strings on my Olive Gold LIII. Prior to this, I had never broken a string. Happened again today so I'm now hunting up a fix. My LII has never broken a string that I can think of ... This is a total pain. I suspect there is a bur or something but I can't see or feel anything on the bridge.
Did you guys fix your problem .. and if so, How ?

Thanks, PG

Had the same problem few years ago - the situation came to the point , where I suffered from string breakage every gig !
Cleaning the sadles didn`t helped a lot so I decided to replace the vintage ones with the ASS type . After like 5 years or so the situation repeats itself - again changed the saddles, this time back with the original ones . Two years without the issues so far . My suggestion : give the CS guys a call Monday morning and ask for replacement parts . Hope it helps .