Alternate Tunings and String Breakage

[ToKillTheSound]

So, I'm an Experimental/Avant-garde artist who does a lot of alternate tunings and just wondering if anyone has found a set of strings that can withstand constant down and up tuning and not break after >3 months of playing. And this applies for both acoustic and electric. I've heard of the Elixir Polywebs. Thought of trying them, but I'll probably destroy those strings from grinding different materials on the strings to create different sounds and tones with different effects. I've never tried them though. I've used Ernie Ball Reinforced Slinky, and they don't do too much better than your average $5 set. I'm currently trying out these Martin Flexible Core strings for acoustic and they seem to work pretty well. Haven't had a string break yet in 3 months. Do you guys think I should go down a few gauges? Currently using .10's. But uh yeah, just let me know of anything you've heard or know about. Thanks! :bigthumb:

 

[Bludave]

Alternate Tunings and String Breakage

I use 11's on my electrics and 13's on my acoustics. But if you are getting 3 months life out of a set and are grinding stuff on the strings I think you are doing well! What tunings are you using?

 

[Manix]

Re: Alternate Tunings and String Breakage

Dunlops are pretty durable imo

 

[ToKillTheSound]

Re: Alternate Tunings and String Breakage

I use 11's on my electrics and 13's on my acoustics. But if you are getting 3 months life out of a set and are grinding stuff on the strings I think you are doing well! What tunings are you using?

I'll try that. I'm currently writing a song with DACGAE (which makes a suspended type chord when played open or barred) and I just recently made my own tuning! I checked on google before to make sure it hasn't been tabbed out before, and no results! So I'm claiming it! I'll make a thread on what the tuning is when the song releases (1+ year from now). I mess around with slide guitar and open tunings like E and D. I'm writing a good bit of stuff in Eb. But I suggest messing around with the sus chord tuning. It's really cool.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Alternate Tunings and String Breakage

I use open D open G G minor dropped D and double dropped D as well as a Bb 9 tuning that I think I came up with as well. This tuning can be a lot of fun. For the last few years I have been using capos and partial capos to create some unusual voices as well

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Alternate Tunings and String Breakage

Probably not what you want to hear, but if you are asking the strings to up and down frequently and survive various scraping and non traditional techniques, accepting a three month lifespan might be part of the deal. In fact, if I were you, I'd just plan on replacing monthly with Ernie Ball Slinkys or D'Addarios, you can get them for 3/$10 on sale. Not bad in my book.

I would suggest looking at your saddles, nut, tuners and stop bar (if applicable) to make sure there aren't any burrs. I was breaking the G a lot on my Epi Les Paul, after smoothing the saddles they always go dead before they break.

 

[ToKillTheSound]

Re: Alternate Tunings and String Breakage

Probably not what you want to hear, but if you are asking the strings to up and down frequently and survive various scraping and non traditional techniques, accepting a three month lifespan might be part of the deal. In fact, if I were you, I'd just plan on replacing monthly with Ernie Ball Slinkys or D'Addarios, you can get them for 3/$10 on sale. Not bad in my book.

I would suggest looking at your saddles, nut, tuners and stop bar (if applicable) to make sure there aren't any burrs. I was breaking the G a lot on my Epi Les Paul, after smoothing the saddles they always go dead before they break.

Nah man, it's alright. I didn't exactly expect to get any results tbh. And this happens with all my guitars. It's just the tension that happens over time of constant up and down tuning. I'm fine with it honestly. I was just checking to see if anyone has found a pair of strings that could withstand it for at least over 3 months. And thanks for the notice on the string sale. I'll look into that.