Broke string on my very first set from Webstrings.com

[Strings74]

Grabbed 8 sets of acoustic strings from webstrings.com (4 san diego (80/20) and 4 portland(phosphor bronze)) a month ago or so and popped the G on my Alvarez acoustic the other day after maybe 3 weeks of playing.

 

I haven't popped a string on an acoustic in maybe 10 years.

 

I'll work through the sets and let you know.

[labjr]

A lot of people seem to break their strings. But three weeks is a bit of time.

[Strings74]

For some, I suppose.

I'm lucky if I change strings on my everyday guitar every 3 months, quite honestly.

[geek_usa]

I usually don't swap out the strings on any of my guitars until I've had the strings on there for pretty much 6-8 months. I play them to the bone, until they're literally dead. I mean that too.

Unless, of course, I break a string, then I just change the whole set.

[LittleBrother]

Couple of things to look at...

Where exactly on the string did it break? near the nut or saddle or on a fret? This is very important....

Were you by chance tuning the 3rd string upward when it snapped? Tightening the tuner?

...and lastly....

Were you playing PhosBronze or 80/20s in other words Portlands or San Diegos ?

Thanks
Doug-LB

[Strings74]

Originally posted by LittleBrother Couple of things to look at... Where exactly on the string did it break? near the nut or saddle or on a fret? This is very important.... Were you by chance tuning the 3rd string upward when it snapped? Tightening the tuner? ...and lastly.... Were you playing PhosBronze or 80/20s in other words Portlands or San Diegos ? Thanks Doug-LB

 

 

I was playing the Phosphor's (Portlands) the .12 gauge. I checked and I put them on my guitar on 7/15. It looks like the G broke right where it sits on the bridge. It also looks like the core of the string snapped while the wound portion stayed intact. In other words, the ends of the string are still connected by the unraveled winding.

 

I usually play lighter strings but decided to try something a little thicker. I like the sound overall but I was just strumming lightly at the time. It just sort of snapped. It wasn't a violent thing at all, just a mild pop. I also use a very light gauge pick (.50 Dunlop Tortex - the red ones). I was not tuning at the time.

 

The guitar was capoed at the first fret however.

[LittleBrother]

Thanks Strings74 that helps me in several ways. Because it did not break at the nut it means the problem is not the nut slots. This problem also usually snaps them at the nut while tuning upward because the slot grabs the string not allowing it to reach the tuner fast enough and SNAP!

So its not those issues. Sounds now like the possibilities are a weak string, hard picking attack near the bridge, or the edge of the bridge possibly burred, grooved or sharp.

The G string has the smallest core wire in the entire set. So I would guess it's the weakest string. I must admit I have snapped some webstrings. Especially the 3rd G string. We diagnosed the problem once as my nut sticking some but to be honest I snap more Gs on webstrings than some other brands but not too frequently.

On the other hand I pay 11.00 dollars for Elixirs and the 3rd strings snap on them real easy. I guess I have confused matters enough but we at least isolated the problem a tiny bit.

Good luck and good to see you here posting and welcome

[Strings74]

Thanks, LB.

It's true that its not as much of an issue when you consider the cost factor.

I wasn't posting to really complain per se, but I had read some threads about webstrings breaking easily. However, it was also posts here that led me to buy webstrings in the first place.

My bridge is somewhat grooved now that you mention it. Can't be great.

Anyway, thanks. I enjoyed browing your website, by the way.

[newsdude477]

After 3 weeks I wouldnt exactly blame it on the brand.

[seven7]

if your saddle is smooth/slick on top (smooth it with some very fine sandpaper) as well as rounded, it will generally help you not break as many strings.

[LittleBrother]

The groove might not break a string and a little bit of a groove like a mark is not bad but if the string sits down in a substantial groove it restricts the side to side rolling of the string as it vibrates.

That can simply hurt the tone a slight bit. If your saddle has a really sharp break angle thats good but of course might make grooves alot quicker.

www.frets.com has the best article on this and shows how to properly surface the saddle edge. Not too sharp and not too round.

Yeah, for me webstrings are not the best on earth but they are way up on the scale and a great value.