Breaking strings on Fender guitars

[stef89]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

Those are both string brands that commonly get bashed for breaking.

You weren't very informative in describing what bridges you have, but assuming a "standard" Tele and a "standard" Strat the difference to a Les Paul is that these Fenders dives down the strings into the body at a 90 degrees angle, and there there is a lot more string length between the saddle and the end of the string.

I would try a different string brand and I would investigate whether you need to pre-stretch the strings more between saddle and ball end.

Does the guitar take a long time to get into stable tuning after you change strings?

Tuning is easy. Both guitars have standard bridges with vintage saddles (same type of saddles)

 

[stef89]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

But did the strings break when you used the Tusq? Have you tried roller saddles? Maybe try something like this?

All of my electrics use Fender style trems–I use Tusq, Fiberglass, Copper, Brass, Bone, Wood and even Steel guitar picks and have never had this issue.

Interesting issue to say the least, hope you can get it figured out!

The strings did not break when I used the Graphtech string saver saddles but the tone broke!!

 

[stef89]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

I dont think the strings are the problem here, i use same strings on other guitars where I never break strings.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

I would change brands of strings. Work on your right hand technique. And try String Saver Classic saddles. I've never heard of breaking so many strings.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

The strings did not break when I used the Graphtech string saver saddles but the tone broke!!

Then please see below:

Sorry to say, but you say no burrs, but there's burrs. They can either be at the saddle or the bridge plate. Take a Q-Tip and run it lightly over each saddle and the bridge plate where the strings come through. I bet you'll see some snagging.

A. Same strings don't break on other guitars
B. Strings only break on a specific type saddles
C. Different saddles didn't break the strings

Just seems to me the problem is isolated to the saddles...

 

[BenPerkins]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

I did, but I took them off due to change in tone with those saddles.

Tusq and String Savers are two different types of saddles. This happens when using both?

 

[stef89]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

I did not break any strings when I used string savers.

I have now lubed my saddles and will see if this helps

 

[Kleegort]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

its your technique. There is no reason strings should break-ever.
You must be banging the crap out of them for some unknown reason.
switch to decaf and calm down.

also do you stretch them? If you do, stop. Stretching strings is a myth like fish oil supplements
or yoga pants it does nothing but reduce the life of the string.

I have not broken a string since the 1000 years' war began.

 

[stef89]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

I do have a heavy hand but as I said earlier, I have not broken a string in many years on my gibson guitars..

But theres probably something with my teqnique, not being used to play on a fender type of bridge.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

also do you stretch them? If you do, stop. Stretching strings is a myth like fish oil supplements
or yoga pants it does nothing but reduce the life of the string.

I have to disagree here. If you want to get tuning to be stable and not have the guitar go out of tune while playing it for a while, stretch them out when stringing up. I do this every time I restring and have for over 25 years. String breakage is a non-issue for me.

I still say there are burrs on the saddles.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

Funny, I never really stretch the strings, and they don't break, nor suffer tuning issues. Most of my guitars have locking tuners.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

Dang! I broke a string on the last chord of the last song of the last set tonight!
There goes my over 20 year record of not breaking a string at a gig! (the last one was 1991 i think)
Ill see if i can beat my last run. I'll call you guys back in the year 2040.

 

[stef89]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

O NO I jinxed you all!!

 

[Chad]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

I still think there are burrs. Try the Q-tip technique to see if any cotton catches and exposes them. If so, I have taken an old wound string and gently worked it back and forth in the saddle slot to shave off a burr. You could also try very fine grit sandpaper. Something to smooth the slot out and eliminate any burrs.

If that doesn't fix the problem, then I'd have to think you have Godzilla-like technique. The only time i regularly broke strings was when I was in an aggressive band. I just played really hard in that setting. i.e. my aggressive technique was breaking strings. So if it's that kind of thing, then work on your technique, go back to String Saver saddles, or move on to different guitars. There is no way I could live with the level of string breakage you are describing.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

O NO I jinxed you all!!

mg:

 

[stef89]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

I still think there are burrs. Try the Q-tip technique to see if any cotton catches and exposes them. If so, I have taken an old wound string and gently worked it back and forth in the saddle slot to shave off a burr. You could also try very fine grit sandpaper. Something to smooth the slot out and eliminate any burrs.

If that doesn't fix the problem, then I'd have to think you have Godzilla-like technique. The only time i regularly broke strings was when I was in an aggressive band. I just played really hard in that setting. i.e. my aggressive technique was breaking strings. So if it's that kind of thing, then work on your technique, go back to String Saver saddles, or move on to different guitars. There is no way I could live with the level of string breakage you are describing.

I already wrote this but I will write it again.

I have changed saddles 3 times, 2 times vintage saddles, 1 time string saver saddles.

Even with brand new vintage saddles i was breaking strings.. Pretty sure I need to work on my picking hand

 

[Chad]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

I already wrote this but I will write it again.

I have changed saddles 3 times, 2 times vintage saddles, 1 time string saver saddles.

Even with brand new vintage saddles i was breaking strings.. Pretty sure I need to work on my picking hand

Yeah, I saw that. Point is that it doesn't matter if you tried 50 different sets of vintage saddles......there is still potential that they could have burrs even when brand new.

With that said, the chances of the e to A saddles all having string-breaking burrs is slim. So yeah, it probably does boil down to Godzilla-like technique.

 

[stef89]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

Godzilla-like technique.

Thanks this made ma laugh! :18:

 

[Chad]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

Thanks this made ma laugh! :18:

Maybe try heavier strings too. SRV played really hard, but used thick strings and I don't think he broke strings at the level you are. Maybe give 11s a try on your Fenders. Plus, I believe he played GHS Nickel Rockers, which I'm guessing have a thicker core because they seem to play stiffer compared to other strings of the same gauge.

 

[stef89]

Re: Breaking strings on Fender guitars

Maybe try heavier strings too. SRV played really hard, but used thick strings and I don't think he broke strings at the level you are. Maybe give 11s a try on your Fenders. Plus, I believe he played GHS Nickel Rockers, which I'm guessing have a thicker core because they seem to play stiffer compared to other strings of the same gauge.

Thanks for the tip!

I have tought of this, and will try it on my next restring I think I just put on fender strings to see if I brake those aswell.