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Posted by: Frobb Aug 7 2009, 02:45 PM

Heya fellow GMCers,

here's my situation:

I own an ESP LTD M-400 with a Floyd Rose bridge and I have pretty much as long as I've owned the guitar had this weird string breaking problem. (I use kinda thin strings (Super Slinkys to be exact), in case that information is relevant)

The thing that happens to me is that the strings sort of break... They don't get cut in two per se. It's more like the string gets too much pressure and it flattens out, if that makes any sense. It's still attached down by the bridge, but the string gets all stretched out and super thin right where it was attached, making it all flabby and results in the whole guitar is outta tone (gotta love Floyd Roses eh?).

I hope you understand how I mean, it's sort of hard to explain it haha. Hopefully ( ) some of you guys have had the same thing happen to your strings sometime so you know what I mean.

What exactly is causing this?
I'm having a gig in 2 weeks and having this happen to me that night wouldn't be that awesome hehe.

Thanks in advance!

Posted by: Frobb Aug 7 2009, 03:00 PM

Just like I stated it breaks right in front of where it's attached at the bridge (in those little holes where the string-lock blocks are).

Posted by: Frobb Aug 7 2009, 03:53 PM

Yeah, it's as parallel as parallel gets. But I'll try loosening them a little bit then. Thanks for the input mate!

EDIT: One thing that struck me now was, wouldn't the strings more easily go out of tune when I use the whammy bar now that they are not super tightened?

Posted by: Muris Varajic Aug 7 2009, 05:11 PM

You should probably just cut off that flatted part of the string (2-3mm I guess)
and put it back in the saddle.

Posted by: Frobb Aug 14 2009, 05:24 PM

Hey guys,

I think I've found out what's causing the strings to break! I think the edges of the holes in where you put the strings at the saddle has become uneven and sharp, and that they're slowly wearing the strings down while I play, which ultimately leads to them breaking when they get thin enough and can't handle the string tension.

Does anyone know can be done to fix this? Should I try to grind/polish these sharp edges down and make them even and smooth again or...?

Thanks in advance!

Posted by: Sensible Jones Aug 14 2009, 05:28 PM

That's the only way to remove sharp edges!! Just do it very gently!!!
It's either that or buy a new set. They're readily available and pretty inexpensive!