breaking E and A strings!!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter gitrokr
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gitrokr

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dude- i do not know what the hell is up---the last 2 weeks ive gone trough like 3 e and a strings of each low e....ive put some pencil lead in the bridge to smooth it...should i scrape down the tail piece can it be making contact with some metal and just cutting it up??? please help
 
i had the same problem with all my strings breaking at the base where the strings were rubbing against metal. just take a very small peice of paper folded up and put it so it fits over the area where the strings slide through and then put the strings on and they stop breaking. i had strings on my guitar for about 6 months without breaking, i changed them because they obviously sounded terrible after that long, but thats the best way to solve your problem i think. also it helps as you get better at guitar you stop breaking strings because you arnt playing as hard, how many years have you been playing?
 
Pencil lead in the nut is a good start. If that's where the breaks are occurring, you might want to take some real fine grit emery paper (600+ grit so it's no too agressive) and smooth out the string grooves as there may be a small barb that's whacking out the strings. Another thing to check, especially if you use a capo often, is the condition of the lower frets. If they're showing signs of wear under the strings, take the axe to your local luthier and see if you can have the frets dressed (they can usually do this at least once before they need to actually replae the fret itself). You might want to bag that teeth-picking Jimi Hendrix solo for a while too ;)
 
You say in your description they are breaking by the bridge.
This usually is because the vibrations over a period of time have worn a groove and sharp edge. It is fairly easy to fix. If you are competent with a file use a die makers file and round out any sharp edges on point of contact.
This also happens on new guitars where the saddles are sintered or cast and have not been properly fettled, (had the sharp bits knocked off).
Again it is a file job. Remember it is easy to remove but you can't stick it back if you take too much off.
If in doubt take it to a professional.
 
Duh.. sorry.. I missed the bridge part... musta been before the coffee kicked in.
 
Back in the saddle again...

I'm sure the same thing happens on alot of guitars, but I have seen it most commonly on Mexican made Tele's for some reason.
Much like the pencil lead trick , powdered graphite is also a short term cure and is availble (I believe) in little tubes at most hardware stores.
 
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