Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on January 15, 2020 at 12:28pm

Hi Jim, I saw your question on the main page section but did not know how to respond there, glad you posted here.

So....what Larry said is proberebly correct. Strings are gauged to work within a certain range of their intended tuning/pitch, eg: an high "E" string at say 12g will go lower of course but can become too loose and lack volume.

On the other hand it can go higher up to "G" or "A" for instance, but will break when trying to reach the next "E" which is in the next octave, the string is too thick to stretch that far.

I feel the string you are using as a high string is too thick so will break when too high above its intended pitch [what it says on the packet.] It could be breaking at the hole in the tuner post, sharp edge and excessive tension.

Taff 

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Permalink Reply by Jim Codog on January 15, 2020 at 12:39pm

Thanks Taff. The strings are from CB Gitty and I had them on before the change...so if the gauge is wrong then why are they packaged that way. The first set worked great and a buddy, who plays 6 strings, beat on it hard with no issue. Then I made an adjustment which I think I will revert back. Orig the strings went thru the eyelet then up over the bridge. Now using the bolt, which gives me more lateral movement of the strings, brings the strings lower before going up and over the nut....by the thickness of the machine bolt. So maybe that has created too much additional tension. But I have seen dozens of build pics with this method, which is why I am so confused. When I doubt, back it out. :-) I will try to lessen the angle before the nut.
Thanks for your input. I will respond with the results.

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on January 15, 2020 at 2:33pm

If you are tuning something like G2 D3 G3 and have a 25" scale you are pulling around 28 lbs tension on the high G string. That's not normally break tension, but is a good bit higher than you actually need.

As for tuning to the wrong octave, don't think it doesn't happen. I've done it more than once.

If you have a smart phone, you can download (free) a guitar tuner app that shows not only the note but the octave you're tuned to. Comes in handy for first time tuning.

Let us know hat you find.

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on January 15, 2020 at 2:55pm

Ooops, sorry to mislead you Jim, I must have misunderstood your post.

Taff

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Permalink Reply by Jim Codog on January 16, 2020 at 1:58am

Well I went back to the eyelets and went to my last set of strings from Gitty before I reload. The gauges are .42 - .30 - .09. These were the very first strings I ever loaded on this build. Light Gauge Acoustic with the 2 lower strings wound nickel and the top string steel. I was able to get it tuned but have to say it doesn't work for my ear. Sounds very thin and weak. The .09 g string is very loose but dialed in to g. If I pluck the string out it gets a bit of string buz off the frets. The heavier gauge set (though still "Light") had a much fuller sound and better action feel. I've lost something in the entire set up and will go back to the 42-30-20 or maybe Med weight strings. More to come.

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on January 16, 2020 at 9:21am

Checkout my guide to tuning your guitar - tuning  to an octave above is the most common cause of string breakage in my experience.  https://youtu.be/C-wfo51zAvc

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on January 16, 2020 at 10:37am

Make sure your not over tuning the strings and check all places the string come into contact with(tuner holes, nut, retainers, bridge, stop tail/tremolo/ferrules) for any sharp edges or burrs.

Where are the strings breaking in relation to the guitar? Near the nut? Tuners? Bridge? that gives you a clue as where to look for sharp edges and burrs.

What are you using to tune your guitar?

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