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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | OK! ... This is the third time I have replaced the strings on my 12-string, and each time I've done it I break the mid High strings. I know, I'm probably trying to tune them too high each time, but it's really frustrating because they seem like they should be tuned up there! Does anyone have any suggestions that could help? (excluding the occaisional pearls of wisdom please)The last set were Elixers, and that's way too expensive of a mistake, and hard to find those as individual replacement strings. |
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Location: big island | in the past, i have opted to buy single thicker gauge strings to replace the high G with. i always tuned my 12 stringers to standard tuning too. also, a lighter gauge pick works well. i like the dunlop .46 and turn it backwards to pluck with the wider end.
you don't necessarily have to buy a single "elixir" string as just about any brand will do for a high G.
if you use light gauge string sets, buy some medium gauge or even heavy gauge G strings. mediums usually worked well for me. if you use a pick, and like me, can't remember to strum easier, use a considerably lighter gauge pick.
if you notice that your strings continually break at a particular spot, like at the bridge or the nut, you may want to inspect the slots carefully and make sure there are no burrs. i don't have a 12'er currently but that will change in the future, Good Lord willing! |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | What gauge strings are you using?
I string my 12's with D'Add EJ38's (I think they catagorize them as "lights"). The High-G is .008".
Oddly enough, I'll break a regular G or D before the "cheese slicer" goes . . . |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Where's it breaking? (that is, where along the length of the string is it breaking? |
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Location: NJ | octaves |
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Posts: 580
Location: NW NJ | Man, I don't know what I am doing wrong! I would call myself a rhythm guitar player that really digs in and strums the crud out of my instruments. Not a lead player bending notes all over the place or anything, but still, I can't remember when the last time was I broke a string. 6 string or 12 string, acoustic or electric. I know I have, but I am positive that it hasn't been more than 2 or 3 in the 10-12 years I've been seriously playing. Some of you guys break 'em every time you play out or take it out of the case. I just can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. |
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Location: big island | robbie, perhaps your strings are "annointed"? |
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Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Are you breaking the strings when you are tuning up immediately after replacing them? If so, maybe you're tuning up two octaves by mistake ... that happened to me a couple of times back when I got my first 12. As it has been said before, pick up a single .009" (or .008) string to put on the high G ... any string should do. |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I tried tuning both my G's the same (like the B and E) when I first broke one and only had a regular G String (don't snicker)... It worked for awhile, but I didn't like the sound much. So I went down and bought a half-dozen .009's. The music-store dude also told me that all strings are pretty generic at that gauge.
I don't know what to tell ya if you are breaking them on the first tuning...
Make sure you have many wraps around the tuning peg, and toon to G, third fret first string... :confused: |
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Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | i keep popping 3rd ocatve's on my 12 string...its got 11 on it now..got tierd of replacing the damn string...jason |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | If the breakage appears in a consistent location like at the bridge , nut or tuner post then you have a rough spot that needs to be smooved out.
I haven't broken a string in a very long time. I think I need to try harder! |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | "Look, honey, I broke a string. I'll have to get another guitar."
It didn't work for me either. |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | OK! ... This is the third time I have replaced the strings on my 12-string, and each time I've done it I break the mid High strings. I know, I'm probably trying to tune them too high each time, but it's really frustrating because they seem like they should be tuned up there! Does anyone have any suggestions that could help? (excluding the occaisional pearls of wisdom please)
No Wisdom : Just Straight Forward Technique ;)
Take a Lead Pencil and rub the Tip on the Groove of NUT and Saddle ( the graphite will thereby "grease" the grooves )It`s a Good Idea to do this on All Grooves !!
If that does not work,then take a (piece) D string and "file" Groove of Nut and Saddle .
for further info. check :
http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/pagelist.html
Good Luck :)
Vic :cool: |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | I have noticed in the past few years that the nut slots are not as nicely smoothed as they used to be. The problem for me has not been string breakage, but has been tuning difficulties. Seems like the strings get "stuck" a little in the nut. Or maybe I'm just going deaf. The "groove filing" mentioned about will help, But only file with the string designed for that slot. Rasping a D string through the g-octave slot is gonna ruin it. Obviously wound string slots are gonna rasp a hell of a lot better than the plains. You can also try greasing the slots. The pencil lead will work, but most nuts are saddle are white and it will mark them up. I've been using "Nut Sauce", just because I like the name. No actually it really does work.
Dave |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | The "groove filing" mentioned about will help, But only file with the string designed for that slot.
The Nut Groove should be a little bigger in Diameter than the string used,thereby the String will "roll" in the groove,that will cause the string to "ring" out,increasing Sustain ;)
Vic :cool: |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Thanks for the advice. I was using light gage strings and it was the .009 that went first. As I tuned it in it didn't sound like it was supposed to be that low, so I squinted my eyes and cranked it up and POP!. It DOES seem to be breaking at the nut (which I just replaced with a factory supplied new one). I think I am going to try going to mediums because it doesn' seem to get the volume I think it is capable of. ALSO ... I TRIED ADJUSTING THE TRUSS RODD AND IT HAD NO VISIBLE EFFECT! IT JUST SPUN AROUND FREELY AND I COULD DO IT WITH MY FINGERS! THAT DIDN"T SEEM RIGHT TO ME. IS THAT NORMAL?? The measurements on the fretboard all appear to be in. Any comments there? |
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October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | sounds like the nut on your truss rod is stripped. that happens quite easily. the nut is probably brass and is softer than the metal used in the rod. you might need a new nut. |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | #1 Adjusting the Trussrod will not have any impact on Stringbreakage..try the leadpencil approach..Cheap ,and Affordable ;)
#2 Lanaki is Probably Right..them Hawaiians know a lot about (coco)nuts.. :)
Vic :cool: |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | i know why mine is popping strings...the neck on it is a verry crappy copy....im gonna replace the nut or find a busted up pacemaker on ebay and put the neck off it on mine...jason |
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Dang! Broken Strings!