Popping Stings too Often

[Jpikr005]

Well, I use Elixirs Polywebs, run about $14.99 and I pop at least either my D or G string every week...leads to a lot of money, and a lot of left over E's and A's...it's always just the G or D...is my playing style breaking them or what, any recommendations and is this somewhat normal... (yes I can get into a good Halloween or Watchtower, but who doesn't?:) )

[TheRealGuyute]

Where are they breaking? If at the saddle, you've got a sharp edge there. If at the nut, you've got a sharp edge there.

If they're popping in the middle of the string....play softer ;)

[HolyCow]

what type of pick are you using?
If it is hard/thick picks, that is your problem.

Use Dunlop .050

Nothing better, IMO.

[watchtower08]

Where are they breaking? If at the saddle, you've got a sharp edge there. If at the nut, you've got a sharp edge there.

If they're popping in the middle of the string....play softer ;)

very true....might get that checked on if u dont know what bridge or saddle is. and maybe take it in and see if they can fix it if that is the problem:thumbsup

[dobyblue]

what type of pick are you using?
If it is hard/thick picks, that is your problem.

Use Dunlop .050

Nothing better, IMO.
YES!
I completely agree with you. The red ones are the .050mm
Today was the first day I've ever broken a string with one of them. I had on D'Addario EXP-16s because they didn't have my usual Elixer Nanoweb extra lights in stock.
I love the Dunlop reds. I also find they're the easiest pic to hold on to.

[JG2121]

very true....might get that checked on if u dont know what bridge or saddle is. and maybe take it in and see if they can fix it if that is the problem:thumbsup
I agree, sometimes the edge can be really small, or somewhere where you can't see it. If its breaking in either of those places have somebody take a look at it for you. It'll save you money and frustration.

[MooreDrums]

I have had that problem alot lately as well... Same strings.... One thing that I have noticed, is let them stretch a day or two before you jam heavily on them. I put on a fresh set the night before a gig, and broke my G first, retuned, then broke my D half way thru the next song... Needless to say.. it was a shorter set than planned. I find that if I give them a day or two to stretch (keeping them in tune) than they last longer. Also, if you find a burr or an edge on the Nut or Saddle you can take a pencil and rub it across where the strings lie. The graphite in the pencil is a lubricant and will help reduce string breakage in those areas. Just some advise from a fellow guitarist!

[TheRealGuyute]

what type of pick are you using?
If it is hard/thick picks, that is your problem.

Use Dunlop .050

Nothing better, IMO.

I would be surprised if this was the problem. I use picks so that are around 2.0 and I don't break strings. I strum with varying intensity depending on the dynamic of the song, so I'm going to go out on a limb and say the problem more than likely lies with the nut or the saddle.

I forgot to mention in my original post, if you're using a lot of alternate tunings, your strings are going to break more often. So playing a lot of DADGAD or Open G?

[dobyblue]

If it's at the saddle end it could be just as much the fault of your playing - ie how hard and with what type of pick.
If it's always at the nut then it's pretty obvious what the problem is.
Spend $30 taking it to a guitar store and have them refile both your saddle and nut. That will eliminate two problems at once. You could also do this yourself if you have a file and feel confident, but it works best if you can actually take them out to do it.
Like Guyute said if you're playing a lot of multiple tunings then you weaker the strings ever so much more quickly than if you don't. Once your strings are tuned that's where they should stay.
Your choice of strings has nothing to do with it.

[caine3320]

Originally posted by: TheRealGuyute
"I forgot to mention in my original post, if you're using a lot of alternate tunings, your strings are going to break more often. So playing a lot of DADGAD or Open G?"

Originally posted by: dobyblue
"Your choice of strings has nothing to do with it."

^^Totally agree. Changing tunings often can weaken the steel much faster than it would normally. Guitar strings are pretty much guitar strings, as far as strength is concerned. At least, they are as long as your string gauge doesn't change from one brand to the next. Nut and saddle issues can aggrivate weakened strings, as well.
I play with a variety of picks, from the .50s all the way up to the 2.0s, and I break strings almost exclusively when I adjust tuning. Also, one time I left my capo on the guitar for a couple days in the same spot, and when I took it off, I lost both B and E in one fell swoop.

FYI: The saddle is the thing that the bridge sits on.

[HolyCow]

The only reason I thought it was maybe the picks is that I had a friend that liked thick picks and he broke strings all the time. He went to thinner picks and rarely broke one.

I love Dunlop .050's. Burkey nailed it, they are so easy to grip. When I was using Fender mediums, I was dropping picks left and right. I never drop my Dunlops. I love em, and I don't think I will ever change.

[dobyblue]

I love Dunlop .050's. Burkey nailed it, they are so easy to grip. When I was using Fender mediums, I was dropping picks left and right. I never drop my Dunlops. I love em, and I don't think I will ever change.
I used to lose a lot of picks too playing those plastic ones. The Dunlops stay right where I want them. I will never change either.

[TheRealGuyute]

FYI: The saddle is the thing that the bridge sits on.

Actually, the saddle sits on the bridge (on acoustic guitar).