Bong-O
Joined: Mar 04, 2006
Posts: 139
Massachusetts, birthplace of Dick Dale
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Posted on Sep 23 2008 01:42 PM
My high E and B strings break at the ball end where they feed though the trem tail piece a lot...... solved the problem by using Fender Bullets, but recently have switched to 11 Flat wounds (D'Addario Chromes) and because their ends are the little round eyelette with the string wrapped around it I am back to breaking high E and B ..........
Anyone have suggestions to solve this problem? Anyone know where you can buy individual Fender Bullets on line?
Thanks.....
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MadScientist
Joined: Jan 17, 2008
Posts: 2188
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Sep 23 2008 01:50 PM
The first thing I would do is lube the string and tailpiece where they meet. Use vaseline or lip balm. That might make a huge difference.
Is the guitar set up correctly? There could be too much tension on the strings.
Good luck...
—
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PhatTele
Joined: Jun 05, 2006
Posts: 445
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Posted on Sep 23 2008 02:07 PM
I had this same problem after a neck replacement and the addition of a roller bar. The luthier had adjusted the tension on the trem to compensate for the new break angle over the bridge. However, it was too loose. I fixed it by 1) tightening the trem...I would like to have it a bit spongier but too much flex was causing the string ends to rub in the back and eventually break, and 2) I make sure that the flat side of the ball ends are parallel to the plane of the trem plate. That keeps the string centered in the hole and gives you more clearance between the ball and the trem plate. Since I've done this, I haven't broken a string. I use D'Addario 11s nickle plain third.
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kilometers
Joined: Jul 14, 2006
Posts: 36
San Francisco
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Posted on Sep 23 2008 06:40 PM
MadScientist
The first thing I would do is lube the string and tailpiece where they meet. Use vaseline or lip balm. That might make a huge difference.
I'd use some graphite. Vaseline and lip balm are greasy. The graphite is a dry lubricant, although it can be a bit messy.
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11077
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Sep 23 2008 08:00 PM
Actually I combine the two. Graphite mixed with some chapstick. The grease gives good adhesion while the graphite does the lubrication.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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eddiekatcher
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2778
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Sep 23 2008 08:14 PM
The problem is most likely related to sharp edges on the back side of the trem anchor. My #1 AVRI Jazzmaster did this like crazy when I first got it.
I fixed the problem by carefully beveling the back side of the anchor with a drill bit that was about 1/4" in diameter. It didn't take much and I left a very slight conical entrance to the hole that the string passes through. This provided a smooth transition for the plain section of the string to nest in and eliminated the string breakage at that point. I never encountered this problem with a vintage guitar but my AVRI's have all benefited from this modification............................. ed
— Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?
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Bong-O
Joined: Mar 04, 2006
Posts: 139
Massachusetts, birthplace of Dick Dale
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Posted on Sep 23 2008 08:46 PM
Eddie (and everyone) Thanks for the replys........
I think the old dude's got it. This particular Jazzmaster is a MIJ..... my 1965 Jazzmaster and my 1966 Jaguar don't have this problem. I will try a drill bit bevel and lube if nessesary.
Thanks again, everyone!
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