String breakage

[Stephanie Reiser]

I am using D'Addario FT-74's and the E's are .011". My nut slot file is .010". Did not have any problem while setting up with really cheap $5 strings (though, I do not know what gauge they were). Now that setup is complete, and I am about ready to deliver to the customer, the A strings and the E strings want to snap off. I conducted a search at this website, and some folks mentioned that there could be a burr or sharpness at the post. I checked Frank FOrd's great website, but nothing about this was mentioned there, either. Today I will try and dull that area, in addition to graphiting the nut slot. Has me scratching my head. Any one have a suggestion?
Thank you.

Thanks in advance.

[LeonEvans]

Hi Stephanie,

Do you use a lock loop when stinging? I think Frank Ford shows this on his site. When you string, pass it through the post and then bring the string end around the post from the center of the peghead under the string as it passes through the post and birng it back up and over the string. This allows you to tighten the string and have the lock loop act as a shim in fornt of any sharp edges in the post hole. I haven't broken a string at the post in nearly 25 years this way. It also keeps the string from slipping. This has worked for me on both really poor tuners on some very poor instruments up to top of the line tuners and instruments.

Hope that helps

Leon

[Antlurz]

Sounds like the nut slot might be just tight enough it's locking the string up. If you are using .011's and it was cut with a .010, it's likely very snug.

You might take one of the broken .011's and put it in a jewlers saw and burnish the slots with it. And the same with the broken A string. If those slots are tight, it's like pulling the string through a pair of vice grips. The harder you pull them, the tighter they wedge into the slot.

Ron