snapping strings

[unccrombie]

everytime i tune my highe e to an e flat or something, then tune back up it always snaps. anyone have any insight?

[Pat M]

Some e-mails I received from Doug Young about this issue:

Note: Mine situation was similar, but mine would break on the way down. (High E as well.)

"It's pretty common for a string to break tuning down,
instead of up, odd as that seems. I'm not entirely
sure why myself. It could be binding, catching,
somewhere. You might try taking a pencil and rubbing a
little lead on the groove in the nut that the string
passes over, to lubricate it. I'll ask around and see
if anyone has a better answer. Breaking strings is
definitely one of the hazards of using different
tunings, tho."

I did the pencil thing, and it seems to have worked so far.

More e-mails:

"Pat, where is the string breaking? Is the break right
at the nut? On the tuning post?"

(Mine was breaking on the tuning post.)

"I asked about this on a luthiers group I read, and
people seem to think there might be a rough edge or
sharp sport on the tuning key if this happens. You
might look at the key with a magnifying glass and see
if you see any sharp edges near where the string is
breaking. If so, you could try using some sand paper
to smooth any edge off, tho it might be better to have
someone with some experience look at it. Do you have
any good guitar stores around? You might get a
friendly repairman to take a quick look at it without
charging.

Doug"

[newscane]

string it with more slack?

[tractor]

yep more slack, before you tune it pull at it a couple times first. works for me.

[unccrombie]

could be the slack, no sharp edges

[YknSTONE]

That, or your using shit for shit strings....::coughElixirscough:: :mad: I hate em'

[PilotC150]

That, or your using shit for shit strings....::coughElixirscough:: :mad: I hate em'
For anybody else that is reading this: remember this is 100% opinion.

And now my opinion: Elixirs are great strings. Great tone and very easy to play. Plus they keep they're nice new feel much longer than D'Adarrios.

[Pat M]

For anybody else that is reading this: remember this is 100% opinion.

And now my opinion: Elixirs are great strings. Great tone and very easy to play. Plus they keep they're nice new feel much longer than D'Adarrios.Yep, I've been using them since I first started.

[unccrombie]

yup, no problem with elixir's. however i just remembered i bought this as an indvidiual string (pevy i think it was) because my high e snapped on my elixir tuning from GM back to standard :lol

does usage contribute? the longer you have them on the weaker they are, or something like that?

[PilotC150]

does usage contribute? the longer you have them on the weaker they are, or something like that?
Most definatly.

[unccrombie]

then that string seems to snap around 3 months after playing for 15 minutes, at least 4 days a week

[nonewdirections]

elixirs may be more prone to breaking, but they are very good and i usually use nothing else.

[unccrombie]

elixirs may be more prone to breaking, but they are very good and i usually use nothing else.
do you know as to why?

[tractor]

markleys work really well for me.

[TheMadViolin]

oh my... I must be thirsty or something.

I could have SWORN this thread said "Snapple Strings"

[jtdevan]

Yep, I've been using them since I first started.


I don't like elixirs because they are too slippery ... I can't do any long stretches with them. I play d'addario's. I did buy a set of Martin SP's last week (haven't put them on yet).

[notscottbaio]

I don't like elixirs because they are too slippery ... I can't do any long stretches with them. I play d'addario's. I did buy a set of Martin SP's last week (haven't put them on yet).
i know you mean. I go back and forth love/hate between elixers and Martin SP's. I'm on elixers now. I think the Martin's sound better in the beginning but Elixers just seem to sound "new" much much longer. It's a tossup. :cool:

[Pipsqueak]

My uncoated string of choice is John Pearse. I use Elixirs for coated.

I recommend (highly) the JP strings for anybody who likes uncoated.