string breakage

[gush]

I'm asking for advice from all. I am really getting sick of breaking strings. Yesterday we had two 4 hour shows, set up play at motorcycle demo days (local dealer) then set up at a club 10 miles down the road. I took 3 guitars with me and all 3 had new strings. I spent most of that time playing my CE24 as I have done a few mods and really want to put it to the test.

2nd set of 2nd show I broke a D string. I am the only guitar player so this really stinks. I know I play too hard but I don't know if I can break that habit, been playing that way forever. I can't really see anything wrong with the D saddle either but I have this problem with all my guitars any given string. I also use my trem a lot so I think that contributes as well.

I use 10-46 nickle DR strings and tune 1/2 step low. It seems like my options are move up to 11s or try different style saddles. Moving to 11s will require nut slot work and may produce a stiff playing guitar and I don't have any experience with graphtech saddles.

So I ask, what would you do?????

 

[mezzio]

Oops, I appear to have accidentally deleted my post, lol.

Are they breaking at the saddle, nut, or tuning pegs?

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I have Graphtechs on three PRS for the same reason. You get used to the tone, especially if you dig the sound of slightly used strings... they help a little.

 

[gush]

I always break at the saddle. The interesting thing is the wrap is not broken, only the core is broken and the wrap is stretched out but still in one piece. That tells me the saddle didn't cut it. Correct?

Does that mean I need to raise trem and lower saddles?

 

[Toledo Bob]

Nope. Try Ernie Balls Slinkys. Never have a problem with them. I use a 1.00 pick and slam the stuffing out of strings. Only cost you a little time and about $4.

 

[HANGAR18]

I've also spoke to guys who recomend putting (okay, this will sound weird) big bends nut sauce on the bridge too and not just the nut. http://www.bigbends.com/

 

[gush]

I assume you mean nut sauce on the saddles? Hmmmm that does sound weird. I will try slinkys like toledo bob suggested. I normally use DR nickles but it won't hurt me to try the slinkys for a couple of shows. If that doesn't work I will try the sauce on the saddle thing.

I rest the side of my hand on the saddles so it could get messy. I don't notice my sweat doing anything to the bridge so I don't think I'm eating the strings away.

I also use .50-.60 picks, sometimes I will try a heavier pick but I always go running back to the .50-.60s

How much play time do you guys get out of a set of strings?

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

How much play time do you guys get out of a set of strings?

Depending on what I'm playing, I can get about one show outta strings.

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

 

[CoreyT]

I have not broken a string yet on any of my guitars since getting back into playing of May 2012.
I only use Ernie Ball Cobalts 9 - 42.

 

[gush]

Nope. Try Ernie Balls Slinkys. Never have a problem with them. I use a 1.00 pick and slam the stuffing out of strings. Only cost you a little time and about $4.

Are you using 10-46?

 

[gush]

Depending on what I'm playing, I can get about one show outta strings.

I just now noticed your name on your headstock! I think I just woke my wife up from laughing.

 

[gush]

I have not broken a string yet on any of my guitars since getting back into playing of May 2012.
I only use Ernie Ball Cobalts 9 - 42.

I tried 9s on my custom 24 only because that is what it came to me with. My first gig with it I got 1 1/2 sets before I broke my A string. I don't know how you do it.

 

[tyt921]

I am interested to know more about this as well. I bought a bunch of Ernie Balls .11 and .10 regulars thinking that they would last. Then found out that my hand rusted strings within hours. So I went back and returned them all for some DR's Pure Blues. I have heard of breakage with the DR's. I mean people say they are like paper. This worries me. But initial thoughts are, one of the best sounding strings I have played. I played Ernie balls, D'addarios both nickle wound. And these pure blues really sound great. The tone is so rich. Its so different from the other strings I have played though I am still a beginner. I got a good ear. So In all I hope these strings arent as many claim they are. Easy to break

 

[HANGAR18]

I assume you mean nut sauce on the saddles? Hmmmm that does sound weird. I will try slinkys like toledo bob suggested. I normally use DR nickles but it won't hurt me to try the slinkys for a couple of shows. If that doesn't work I will try the sauce on the saddle thing.

I rest the side of my hand on the saddles so it could get messy. I don't notice my sweat doing anything to the bridge so I don't think I'm eating the strings away.

I also use .50-.60 picks, sometimes I will try a heavier pick but I always go running back to the .50-.60s

How much play time do you guys get out of a set of strings?

Thanks for all the suggestions.

(If you have a Tune-o-matic bridge...) The idea is that at a microscopic level, the strings move back and forth when the guitar's tuning is adjusted and when the guitar player bends the strings while playing. This movement of the string against the knife-like edge of the tune-o-matic bridge saddle can have a cutting effect on the strings similar to the wire cutter blade on needle nose pliers or side cutting pliers. But, if you use a lubricant (as described previously) it will significantly reduce, if not entirely eliminate, the risk of the string getting cut.

 

[gush]

(If you have a Tune-o-matic bridge...) Thie idea is that at a microscopic level, the strings move back and forth when the guitar's tuning is adjusted and when the guitar player bends the strings while playing. This movement of the string against the knife-like edge of the tune-o-matic bridge saddle can have a cutting effect on the strings similar to the wire cutter blade on needle nose pliers or side cutting pliers. But, if you use a lubricant (as described previously) it will significantly reduce, if not entirely eliminate, the risk of the string getting cut.[/QUOTte

Only the core was broken not the wrap. If saddle is cutting the string then the wrap should be broken too. Would you agree with that?

 

[stratcpo]

Use to break a lot of strings, but now I put graphite lube on the nuts and saddles and now unless a string is old and worn out I have not broken one in a long time. Try it, it might work for you. ENJOY!!!

 

[jfb]

I haven't broken a string in ages. As a kid I didn't change them out much. In fact I usually only replaced the one that broke. :rofl:

 

[alantig]

Ah yes - piles of .009s and .011s...

 

[Eric Newman]

I think you guys missed a quick fix - Use a lighter pick! It took me about a day to go from heavy to medium, and finally to a light pick. The feel is certainly different, but the sound can be almost the same with some practice. BUT YOU STOP BREAKING STRINGS. I usually have to change my three month old grody strings now because they NEVER break. With a 1.0 or even a 0.8 nylon pick, I was hoping 'em every 30 minutes. With a 0.6 suddenly - they just stopped breaking. I also started to feel like it forced me to be more accurate, and my playing seemed to improve. I know folks are gonna balk and say you lose tone, but it beats having to swap guitars mid-song.