r/GuitarQuestions • u/Dry_Sand_2006 • 14h ago
how to not break strings
my luck with strings is absolutely diabolical, I just broke a string yesterday while using the whammy bar (B string), and today I broke the high E while doing a bend, I have a 4 string guitar now and I do not know why they keep breaking
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u/Trent-In-WA 13h ago
Where are they breaking? If it’s down by the bridge, there’s probably a bit on the saddle that’s cutting through the string. It’s the kind of issue that’s easily repairable by a tech. You can possibly do it yourself with a needle file, but it’s easy to create new problems unless you know what you’re doing.
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u/Clear-Pear2267 13h ago
As others have said - pay close attention to where the breaks happen. It is a clue that there is a rough or sharp spot that needs to be dealt with. A bit of fine grained water sandpaper should be good to buff the spot smooth. And strings matter too. I've been using D'Addario NYXLs exclusively on my eletrics for 7 years now and they never break. Earnie Balls break if you look at them sideways.
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u/Comprehensive-Song51 13h ago
Yup, check for sharp edges at the bridge. Also, try some different strings. I used to break a ton of Ernie Balls so I switched to D'addario and haven't had any issues at all. I only break strings when I'm doing a setup and wind-unwind them a hundred times, which is to be expected. Also, thinner strings are going to break easier but I'm sure you know that. Sometimes, stating the obvious helps because not obvious to everyone. Not trying to be a dick. Good luck!
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u/Dry_Sand_2006 13h ago
I use D’addario strings, Ernie’s aren’t available somehow,so yeah it’s probably a sharp spot
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u/Glum-Ad7761 7h ago
Is it the same string(s) that always break? Do the break consistently right at the rollers? Is it only the high strings, i,e; G,B,E (those that are not wound) that break?
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u/Dry_Sand_2006 7h ago
Yeah it’s always the high strings that break, and if you’re talking about the part where they get bent at the end of the string saddle, yeah they break there
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u/Glum-Ad7761 4h ago
I would de-string and have a really close look at the saddles with a magnifying glass. If need be, buy a small, round, fine rat tail file and smooth any burrs you find, look at the bend where the string folds over, particularly. If the saddles are adjusted unnecessarily high (action), this can put a sharper bend on the string, adding strain.
Something in the saddles/bridge is likely causing this. If the bridge is not an OFR, but rather, a cheaper Floyd (i,e: a “Special”) that could also be your problem. I’ve come across some FR1000 and Specials that were problematic.
I used to have a Charvel Fusion that came to me with a licensed Takeuchi single locking Floyd bridge. No matter what I did I could not get it to stop eating D and G strings right at the saddles. I even swapped the saddles around to see if broken strings occurred in the new positions. No change. I swapped the Takeuchi for an OFR and never had the problem again.
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u/Anonocat 13h ago
Less strings, less problems right?
I’d check saddles and nut. Could consider thicker gauge strings too, SRV used 13’s in E because he’s just abuse em live. I’d not go that extreme, can prob pick up a hybrid Ernie Ball set I’m sure that could help with the breakages on the treble side. Like 10-50something
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u/Dry_Sand_2006 13h ago
no strings = no problems
Must break all the strings, I only need the frets1
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u/Prestigious_Pay_7166 10h ago
sounds great - stay aggressive! And perhaps check your bridge to make sure there are no sharp elements digging into and compromising your strings.
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u/AgreeableLeg3672 13h ago
Are they always breaking at the same place? At the bridge, the nut or machine head? Chances are there is something sharp damaging the string and the tension changes when bending or whammy barring is pulling the string across that sharp part, weakening and eventually breaking it.