Hello all, my Mosrite Super Excellent has developed a habit of breaking strings fairly often. It was great for the fist 2 months I had it, but it's popped a string at 2 of my last 3 gigs, and a couple more during recent practices. I know Mosrites are their own animal, so are there any of you Mosrite/Mosrite Excellent players who do anything special to prevent this? (_aside_ from playing thicker strings...I've currently got .10's on it as I do a lot of bending on our non surf stuff). I've heard stuff like sprinkling graphite on the rollers and such.....
Also, when even the high E string breaks the guitar goes so out of tune it's ridiculous. I'm guessing a thicker spring on the trem will help with this?
None of my other guitars (mustang, tele, strat, melody maker) break strings anywhere nearly as often as the Mosrite, so I don't believe it's my playing.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks
-Ted

They are Ernie Ball strings.
The Low A and Low E both broke at the nut as far as I can remember....those were during shows so I didn't take really note...just put the guitar down and grabbed another.
The high E and B strings both broke at the ball end.
I'll take a look at the edges on the metal piece at the nut, that's a definite possible culprit...

Interesting that this pops up, but I just recently developed a possible issue with string breakage on my excellent. I have had two sets of strings, both 10 rounds, from different companies break at the ball end on the high E. I haven't had a chance to check things out yet at all, but I'll be sure to let you know as soon as I get a chance to explore a little. As a side note, I find it wildly helpful to put a little WD-40 on the rollers when changing strings and make sure that everything is rolling properly, you just have to make sure to use a towel and preferably some compressed air to make sure you don't leave much on the rollers themselves.

~B~

Hey Andy (and others), thanks for the info on your Mosrites. I got the guitar in March, and for the first two months it didn't break any strings...since then it's been a pretty regular occurance. It sounds similar to what you're saying......they're being worn down over time... kind of a bummer cuz when it comes to changing strings I'm pretty lazy. I used to play my cheapo Gibson Melody Maker in an old band that played trashy rock n roll and I think I went close to a year without changing the strings, or breaking one! It didn't matter with that band cuz the overdrive covered the deadness of the strings.
I wonder if there's a way to prevent the wear from the rollers....
Also, regarding the possibility of the edges of the string guide/metal nut...anyone have suggestions on what to use to try and take the sharp edges off? I'm guessing some very very fine sand paper such as emery cloth?
Andy, that would be great if you came out to a show! We're playing Oct 12 at Marilyns and Oct 20th at Old Ironsides. We're also playing at the Sac Horror Film Festival on 19th....but only for about 15-20 minutes.
-Ted

I'm going to take a closer look at the rollers on mine this evening, see if there's a bur or some reason they're breaking so often. Last night at practice I broke another low A string (at the bridge) which brings it up to 6 or 7 broken strings in the last 2-3 months.... that's a lot for me. It's a real bummer cuz it makes me hesitant to play the Mosrite at shows and currently it's my favorite guitar.
Andy, I just put two and two together an realized you're from the Hypnotic IV. I saw you guys at Press Club back in '99 or 2000, then again at Blue Lamp a few years ago and you guys were great!
I would hate to have to modify (if possible that is) the bridge in any way, but I've gotta figure something out before the Mosrite gets demoted to a back-up!
-Ted

That's great the Hypnotic IV are playing again, I will absolutely be there.....in fact I'll make it a "madatory field trip" for the rest of our bandmembers! You guys and the Troublemakers were the first shows I saw in Sacramento. I still remember a sparkly red Mosrite and fall to wall Fenders at the Press Club.

Klas, that is a great picture! Old I looks pretty much the same now....that really looks like it would've been a fun show to be at. I never realized how small their stage is until we had to squeeze up there with my Farfisa....
I'm glad to hear you haven't had any issues with your Excellent. I got mine from Zamm Inc so I may see if he's got any ideas.

eddiekatcher
I agree....check the nut and anchor block on the tremolo for sharp edges.... My AVRI Jazzmaster would cut through the plain inner string on the wound ones, or the plain strings for that matter where they went through the tremolo block. I simply took a somewhat larger drill bit and used it to chamfer the hole on both sides slightly and that completley eliminated the string breakage....

I took a look at the tremelo block where my most recent string broke (low A) and it looks like both sides where the strings are threaded thru are already countersunk and very polished, no obvious edegs anyway. I'm afraid if I chamfer the hole I won't be able to get it as smooth and polished....also since I use the tremelo very little it seems as the problem may in fact be at the rollers when the strings are getting a lot of movement where they make contact with the rollers. On the tremelo block the ball end of the strings obviously rest on one side...but on the other side they don't make much contact with the hole opening.

Hmmm....

-Ted