I'm at a loss to know what to do. I have an adjustable bridge three string guitar. The two strings closest to me tune up to full pitch just fine but the first string has now snapped twice. Once at the nut using a G string and once in the middle using the D string. Any ideas? I can't find any burrs on the tuning peg, and that wouldn't cause a snapping would it? I have the strings on the adjustable bridge fully unsprung if that makes any difference or gives a clue? I admit I don't know what I'm doing with an adjustable bridge. It's tuned now but I've had to use the EA and e strings for a DAd tuning rather than the EAD strings as I think I'm supposed to? I like the sound but I'd also like to know what I'm doing wrong. If I need to give any other details to help solve the riddle I'll gladly answer questions if I know the answer. A little enlightenment please :)
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If all else fails, try a lighter gauge string.
Thanks for responding David. I'll make that the next thing to check. I think I'll get better quality strings but make them lights, as you suggest. Much appreciated.
A breakage problem I got surprised by was related to break angle. I built a CBG with sharper than normal angles over both the nut and bridge (maybe 15-25degs?). The amount of tension required at the peg to get the string to pitch was strikingly higher than with my other builds.
That - and my cheap strings - caused me plenty of grief.
In case it helps...
Thanks Robert. I'll take a look at the break angle too. I bought the guitar ready made and it looks, plays and sounds awesome but I'm ready to check other stuff too. I'll buy some better strings first then check break angle. Thanks again for helping.
They are cheap strings so that could be part of it I guess. 24" scale length so not long. I checked the first snapping area, around the tuning pef, but couldn't find any sharp area but when it snapped in the middle it wasn't touching anything there as it was above the fretboard. Probably due to cheap strings then. I saw someone recommend Rotosound flat wound jazz strings on a video but they're £15-ish per single set. I might try some Ernie Ball strings for £15 for three sets. Thanks for helping Fomhorach. I'll try some better strings and anything else people suggest. Oh and I figured out how to adjust an adjustable bridge by watching YouTube now. Intonation is fine on the top and bottom but my middle is out by a bit. Going the full range of the adjusting didn't seem to help either so I'll research that more too. Thanks again.
Have a close look where the string is snapping for any sharp edges. Small rounded edges work best.
Also consider that bringing a string up by more than 2-3 half tones will put cheaper strings under too much pressure.
When I build a guitar that I want higher notes on strings than usual, I tend too lean towards a slightly shorter scale length than normal. Yes it's a cheat but I'm cheap scape and tend to buy the cheapest strings I can find.