Why Am I Continually Breaking High E Strings?

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Why Am I Continually Breaking High E Strings?, aka Why does my new Tele hate me?

Zoot View Member Profile	Jul 21 2013, 10:41 AM
Jul 21 2013, 10:41 AM	GMC:er Posts: 51 Joined: 15-May 12 From: Sydney, Australia	Hi - Bought myself a '52 Vintage re-issue Fender Tele for a my birthday a couple of weeks ago. Great guitar and great tones. Now though, I've just broken my 5th high E-string in those couple of weeks. I know what you're thinking - "It's the bridge angle" - but no. All of these breaks have been at the 5th - 8th frets when I've been pulling a full tone bend. 4 breaks have been on 10's and 1 on 9's. The 9's were Fender strings, the rest were Ernie Ball coated slinkys. For the life of me I can't explain why I'm chewing through strings like a mofo. I've never experienced this issue with my LP Std. I can't see anything sharp on the frets at all. Any ideas? This is driving me nuts! Thanks, Z. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- That which doesn't kill us...

Mertay View Member Profile	Jul 21 2013, 12:06 PM
Jul 21 2013, 12:06 PM	GMC:er Posts: 5.667 Joined: 27-May 13 From: Turkey / izmir	Do you stretch strings after installed? did you try nickel strings? Its most probably got to do with tension, even the string tree if its a little too low can cause this. What about intonation did you check it? You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! This post has been edited by Mertay: Jul 21 2013, 12:07 PM -------------------- http://mertay.wordpress.com/

Bogdan Radovic View Member Profile	Jul 21 2013, 01:18 PM
Jul 21 2013, 01:18 PM	Bass & Beginner Instructor Posts: 15.614 Joined: 30-November 07 From: Belgrade, Serbia	These can be tough to diagnose. But 5 breaks in 2 weeks doesn't sound normal unless all the strings are from same "old" set? The string doesn't break near the bridge but around 5th fret, right? You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- For GMC support please email support (at) guitarmasterclass.net Check out my lessons and my instructor board. Check out my beginner guitar lessons course! ; Take a bass course now!

Taka Perry View Member Profile	Jul 21 2013, 01:43 PM
Jul 21 2013, 01:43 PM	Learning Rock Star Posts: 642 Joined: 16-July 13 From: Australia	You could try taking the B string off and stringing an E string in its slot. That would tell you whether it's the thickness of the E string or E string slot that's breaking the strings. Just an idea You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Composer / Musician / Guitarist

Zoot View Member Profile	Jul 21 2013, 01:47 PM
Jul 21 2013, 01:47 PM	GMC:er Posts: 51 Joined: 15-May 12 From: Sydney, Australia	Yeah - this is weird indeed. I bought a 10 pack of Ernie Ball coated 10's about four months ago. I'm using these on the LP without any drama, but it's 4 of these high E's that have broken on the Tele. The other break was from a new set I got the store to put on the guitar when I bought it - no idea how long it had been on the shelf. All the breaks have happened when I'm playing a full tone bend on either the 5th, 7th or 8th frets on the high E. The bridge or nut I'd understand, but in the middle of the string is just really weird and I don't know what's going on... Will check out the thing about the string tree height I guess???????? Cheers - Z. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- That which doesn't kill us...

Mertay View Member Profile	Jul 21 2013, 02:10 PM
Jul 21 2013, 02:10 PM	GMC:er Posts: 5.667 Joined: 27-May 13 From: Turkey / izmir	On my old guitar, a store tech setted the neck angle (not truss-rod, from where the neck is bolted to the body) way back than it should be, resulting the bridge to be higher. Guitars can manage a certain +/- angle of the neck without buzzing (since the bridge can be hightened when needed) but this results to a slightly longer scale...I remember the stiffness of the strings were extremely noticable. If needed, I advise such setting made by a tech nice thats a pretty nice guitar. It might take 2-3 trials if you haven't done that before. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- http://mertay.wordpress.com/

sammetal92 View Member Profile	Jul 21 2013, 08:21 PM
Jul 21 2013, 08:21 PM	GMC:er Posts: 760 Joined: 21-January 13	+1 to what Mertay said. Also, when restringing, any twists in the string may weaken them considerably at the middle of the string (near 12th fret) rather than the nut or the bridge, so make sure when you turn the string, rotate it whole, not twist it. Strangely enough, I never broke a single high E string, I broke G strings the most and then D strings. Hope you fix it soon! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Download my free guitar and Floyd Rose setup guide: http://www.samsguitars.tk/

Darius Wave View Member Profile	Jul 21 2013, 09:18 PM
Jul 21 2013, 09:18 PM	Instructor Posts: 5.871 Joined: 29-November 12 From: Poland	When I had a similar problems Only sure thing is that the internet never helped me. Sometimes the reason for this is something not so obvious and what could be detected very quickly by a specialist who can grab Your guitar personally... I'm also a guitar tech and what I can tell is pretty funny. Many problems people describe for about 30 minutes through telephone seems to be clear in 5 minutes if they come to my service. Only good advice I could give You is to save yourself some time and needless nerves...just go to the professional guitar tech. One more thing...when string is tensed and it breaks...there is no objective way to judge the place in breaks...after it's broken so It might not be the frets. I made a "science , laboratory rabbit" out of my cheap squier. I made a ceramic savers in the bridge plate strings slot...didn't help. I changed the neck angle, saddles height, neck angle (as mertay said - not the trus rodd adjustment) many times...still didn't help. I changed the saddles for a new ones ...still didn't help. I've perfectly rounded and polished the fret crowns....still nothing. Finally I've changed the saddles for the graph-tech and....THE PROBLEM IS GONE I use graph-tech saddles and nuts in some of my guitars. It really work. I think only the matter or private tone preferences are the reason for some people still using the metal ones (they sound brighter). Also there is this "magic factor" in the strings breaking issue - one guitar does it...other do not...and it even doesn't matter that both of mentioned could be made exaclty the same, with the same strings resting points materials It's a tricky issue You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! This post has been edited by Darius Wave: Jul 21 2013, 09:20 PM -------------------- Check out my lessons and my instructor profile www.facebook.com/DariusWave www.youtube.pl/vavrzyn www.niebonie.pl www.jammingcherry.pl www.facebook.com/druzyna.wawrzyna

korblitz View Member Profile	Jul 21 2013, 09:55 PM
Jul 21 2013, 09:55 PM	Learning Apprentice Player Posts: 397 Joined: 16-August 12	QUOTE (Darius Wave @ Jul 21 2013, 08:18 PM) When I had a similar problems Only sure thing is that the internet never helped me. Sometimes the reason for this is something not so obvious and what could be detected very quickly by a specialist who can grab Your guitar personally... I'm also a guitar tech and what I can tell is pretty funny. Many problems people describe for about 30 minutes through telephone seems to be clear in 5 minutes if they come to my service. Only good advice I could give You is to save yourself some time and needless nerves...just go to the professional guitar tech. One more thing...when string is tensed and it breaks...there is no objective way to judge the place in breaks...after it's broken so It might not be the frets. I made a "science , laboratory rabbit" out of my cheap squier. I made a ceramic savers in the bridge plate strings slot...didn't help. I changed the neck angle, saddles height, neck angle (as mertay said - not the trus rodd adjustment) many times...still didn't help. I changed the saddles for a new ones ...still didn't help. I've perfectly rounded and polished the fret crowns....still nothing. Finally I've changed the saddles for the graph-tech and....THE PROBLEM IS GONE I use graph-tech saddles and nuts in some of my guitars. It really work. I think only the matter or private tone preferences are the reason for some people still using the metal ones (they sound brighter). Also there is this "magic factor" in the strings breaking issue - one guitar does it...other do not...and it even doesn't matter that both of mentioned could be made exaclty the same, with the same strings resting points materials It's a tricky issue How do I give you points? This was the best response I have ever heard for troubleshooting problems. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Darius Wave View Member Profile	Jul 21 2013, 10:03 PM
Jul 21 2013, 10:03 PM	Instructor Posts: 5.871 Joined: 29-November 12 From: Poland	QUOTE (korblitz @ Jul 21 2013, 08:55 PM) How do I give you points? This was the best response I have ever heard for troubleshooting problems. Come to Poland and buy me a beer Ok...just come to Poland and I'll buy You a beer...that would more expensive to You though Thankx man! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my lessons and my instructor profile www.facebook.com/DariusWave www.youtube.pl/vavrzyn www.niebonie.pl www.jammingcherry.pl www.facebook.com/druzyna.wawrzyna

Zoot View Member Profile	Jul 21 2013, 10:19 PM
Jul 21 2013, 10:19 PM	GMC:er Posts: 51 Joined: 15-May 12 From: Sydney, Australia	Thanks guys Off to the doctors it is then! I appreciate all the advice - and Darius, I'll have to email you that beer... Cheers, Z. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- That which doesn't kill us...

dcz702 View Member Profile	Jul 22 2013, 04:18 AM
Jul 22 2013, 04:18 AM	Learning Tone Seeker Posts: 613 Joined: 5-March 13 From: Las Vegas	That must be annoying as hell. If I were to take a guess i would think it would have something to do with tension. I'm sure I good set up will correct it. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Larry F View Member Profile	Aug 5 2013, 01:14 AM
Aug 5 2013, 01:14 AM	GMC:er Posts: 20 Joined: 30-January 13	A non-solution would be to try a GHS cryogenic string. I bend all day long and have winced at times, when I have gone through a breaking string period. It is very, very difficult to break a cryo string, in my experience. Again, this is not a solution, as the cause needs to be determined. But at least it will keep you from wincing. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Darius Wave View Member Profile	Aug 5 2013, 09:06 AM
Aug 5 2013, 09:06 AM	Instructor Posts: 5.871 Joined: 29-November 12 From: Poland	Thanks for sharing another tip Larry. I'm sure it's worth trying You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my lessons and my instructor profile www.facebook.com/DariusWave www.youtube.pl/vavrzyn www.niebonie.pl www.jammingcherry.pl www.facebook.com/druzyna.wawrzyna

David.C.Bond View Member Profile	Aug 5 2013, 10:27 PM
Aug 5 2013, 10:27 PM	GMC:er Posts: 442 Joined: 1-December 07 From: Leeds, UK.	I haven't broken a string in over ten years. If one string is constantly snapping it could a problem with the guitar - a sharp bit on the nut or saddle that is causing it to fray? You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Bond Tuition - Online guitar lessons and guitar lessons Leeds

Fran View Member Profile	Aug 6 2013, 01:31 PM
Aug 6 2013, 01:31 PM	Learning Rock Star - Wiki Coordinator Posts: 8.451 Joined: 20-November 07 From: Spain	That only happened to me with my 69 reissue Tele. I believe it was a sharp edge on the bridge. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Guitars: Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, Ibanez RG2570MZ, Epiphone SG G-400 Amp: Vox AC4TVH head + V112TV cab Effects: Vox Satchurator, Vox Time Machine, Dunlop CryBaby, Boss MT-2, Boss CE-5, Boss TU-2, Boss ME-70 Recording: Line-6 POD X3 + FBV-Express, Pandora PX5D GMC wants YOU to take part in our Guitar-Wikipedia! Have a good time reading great articles and writing your own with us in our GUITAR WIKI! Share your playing and get Pro-advice from our Instructors: Join REC

Zoot View Member Profile	Aug 6 2013, 02:50 PM
Aug 6 2013, 02:50 PM	GMC:er Posts: 51 Joined: 15-May 12 From: Sydney, Australia	Thanks everyone for your thoughts and comments - I really appreciate it! Three weeks later and I haven't broken any more strings. I'm hoping it's sorting itself out - either that or my playing is getting better I think the issue is a slightly, slightly, slightly raised 8th fret. I was playing one of the GMC lessons that had a series of bends on the high E-string and managed to rape some holes into my calluses. On one take, I'd played the bend on the 8th fret and went to move to the 7th and my hand didn't budge! A flappy bit of skin on my finger had got stuck under the fret! This has got to be the cause. I will get it fixed properly in time, but for the moment I guess there's a nice bit of my flesh filling up the hole so I can't even see the gap with a magnifying glass and I can't deliberately make the string grab in that spot anymore I know it's not a proper fix, but what the hell - having too much fun with this guitar to have it back at the retailer for 2 weeks now. So, I'm calling it "fixed" Cheers! Z. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- That which doesn't kill us...

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