Strings snapping at locking nut?

[rspst14]

Hey guys, my Wolfgang is driving me crazy at the moment. I've gone through three high E strings today, trying to figure out why they keep snapping at the locking nut. I can't seem to find any burrs or rough patches anywhere on the nut or the string clamps. I've lightly sanded the area with sandpaper just to make sure, and I also lubed the nut. I've tried switching the order of the clamps, but that doesn't seem to make any difference, so it looks like the problem is with the nut itself. I've been doing some setup work on it, and I've been playing it for the past few weeks without the locking clamps installed. So I'm not breaking strings when the strings are unlocked, but changing the order of the clamps didn't work either. Anyone have any ideas of what the problem might be? Thanks.

Ryan

 

[iDunnoMang]

Re: Strings snapping at locking nut?

nuts are pretty cheap, right? If i were you, i'd either buy a replacement nut, or take it to a tech.

3 strings in one day is crazy...

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Strings snapping at locking nut?

Other than locking it to tight, I can't see the problem ... (since you covered the burr issues), unless the angle of the string across the front portion of the nut is causing it to *vise* itself as it breaks from the clamp to the fingerboard.
That's the only thing I can think of, personally ... I'd ditch it, go locking tuners and graphite nut ... but that's me. Try going a bit lighter on the tightening, a lot of people torque 'em down, and it's just not necessary. I figure you would have checked all that though. No other ideas, sorry.

 

[timccart]

Re: Strings snapping at locking nut?

Been using locking nuts for 20 years, usually way too tight and strings break at the nut. Figured it out within the first month of owning one and it just doesn't happen anymore.

Try just snug on the nut and you will more than likely fix the issue.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Strings snapping at locking nut?

I'd follow the above advise. One way I've deburred a locking nut before is to put an old D string in the groove that's having problems and slide it back and forth with the allen/clamp snugged very slightly. Since it's not as rough as sandpaper, you'll smooth out the slot without creating any new burrs. Just an idea.

And especially for plain strings, you don't have to tighten the nut any harder than you can do with your fingers.

 

[Young Angus]

Re: Strings snapping at locking nut?

Definitely sounds like you are doing it up too tight. Same goes for the clamps at the bridge, if the strings are breaking at the bridge too often then it usually means you are tightening the bridge clamps too much.

So dont tighten them too much, sounds like your problem.

 

[rspst14]

Re: Strings snapping at locking nut?

I'm definitely not tightening them too much. It's always the same string that breaks, and it always snaps at the exact same place. It never snaps when I'm playing, it snaps as soon as I remove the locking block. I may have an extra locking nut lying around, I'll have to give that a try.

Ryan