Tuning Problems with my E-string

[FishwaterInc]

Okay so for the past few months, it seems no matter WHAT I do, no matter how loose or tight my string tension is, I CANNOT get my E strings to be in tune. I've tried it with a tuner, I've tried it by ear, I've tried different strings. But I just can't get the darn thing to tune, and every time that I do get somewhat close, I break the damn string. I JUST got a new pack of Elixirs (which seriously took me a month to get seeing as I have no job or source of income), and the e-string broke while getting it tuned. And trust me...it took me AT LEAST 20 minutes to get it even on the damn mandolin and it was definitely loose. I have NO idea what to do and now I have no e-strings again. This whole lack-of-Estring has kept me from learning to play (especially since I FINALLY have some time to pick up the mando and open up the Mandolin Primer). what can I do? This is driving me insane and making me poor little heart bleed! # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif #:::wishing that was me::: ---> #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Dolamon]

Ouch - first off, are they breaking in the same place, at the tuners, the tailpiece, the bridge or the nut? If the break is consistent, closely examine the area and see if there's a sharp edge or a protrusion which is creating a sharp edge. If so, file it / polish the edge with some very fine 600 grit - folded sandpaper to either fit in the groove or the polish the inside surface of the tuner.

I hope this helps.

[Tom C]

It may be getting caught up on the nut. Try rubbing some graphite from a pencil into the nut groove. This acts as a lubricant and seems like 90% of these problems are solved by doing that.

[sunburst]

Like Tom c, I think it might be the nut. The slots might be too small for the strings and could be pinching them and causing them to break. If that's happening, the slots need to be filed wider. If you don't have the tools to do this, you might have to save enough money to get a luthier to do it.

[MikeB]

Jenn, it seems to me that if your main problem is the inabilility to get the string in tune, you really need someone of expertise to look at the problem. #I'd recommend taking your mandolin to a reputable store, a good repairman, or even a good player you might know and see what they think. #Your problem is most likely something simple, and I can hear your frustration. # Take it to an expert! #(The fix should be cheap, if not free, and besides, you're getting nothing from your mandolin now except headaches.)

[Rroyd]

There are a couple of other things to consider here as well. #The possibility exists that your instrument is oversized, with a longer scale than usual, more like a mandola, and when you try to tune it to "E" it can't take the stress of being tuned too high. #There is a range for scale length (nut to bridge) for mandolins, and if yours is longer, that could be the problem. #(The parents of a friend of mine bought her first mandolin at a pawn shop, and they broke many strings before discovering they had purchased a mandola.) #Since you didn't mention any brand or model of your instrument, is it possible that you have an oversized mandolin or a mandola?
I have seen instruments that were definitely not standard sized, and with no designations, leaving physical dimensions as the only way of determining what they really were. #Anyway, that might be something to check out if you haven't, and there are those on the builders board who could give you scale length ranges for the various instruments.
Also, consider buying individual guitar strings of the appropriate material (stainless, etc.) and gauge, rather than having to buy whole sets of mandolin strings, to replace your broken first strings. #Most music stores stock individual guitar strings, but not many sell individual mandolin strings, and the only difference in the plain (unwound) strings is the length and the type of end. #(ball-end or loop) #Lots cheaper, and with the plain E strings, just match the gauge, or maybe go a thousands or two lighter. #Some tailpieces will take a ball-end string, or you can remove the ball, leaving a loop. #Also, more than once I have successfully #made a new loop on the end of a string when I couldn't get the ball out. #Good Luck!

[neal]

If your string is caught in the nut, you might be able to tell by any squeeking noise or clicking. If so, try a piece of teflon tape (pipe tape, plumbers tape) under the string. Works better than graphite. (really guys, it does, might look out of place though, but you won't notice)

But I'd side with Mike B on this if it's not. Get someone to look at it.

[FishwaterInc]

Thanks for the help guys. I haven't actually looked at the strings while I'm tuning, more like trying to compare where I'm at with the e-strings sound and that of my keyboard. But it's usually an inch or so from the tuners. And when I'm tuning it, I can get to a half-step (or so) above the A note, and then...boom it breaks. A couple of times it whacked me on the fingers too - I wasn't too happy about that!

I kind of account the instability of the mando to the fact it's a Kentucky 150-S, made in China. And, as with everything I've ever owned made in China, sooner or later it gives up on me. Sadly though, it took me over a year to save up for that piece of junk - ha.

I think I'll try to find a local music shop that can help, though I don't really know of any. I live in Puyallup, which is like 45 miles south of Seattle (and unfortunately, it's too crazy driving around up there for me to go to any respectable music shops). So, if you guys have any suggestions on where to go, I'm more than opened to hearing them (especially since it's been a few months since I've been able to play -- I guess I could make do without e-strings, but then the mando seems so...empty!)

Fishwater. What octave of E are you at? Make sure you aint going to a real high E on the keyboard. There is no reason while it should break at a half a step above the A note. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif?

[mandoJeremy]

Well not that it helps much but I do have plenty of E strings I could send you if you needed! That extra E in every Sam Bush set is just never used by me!

[FishwaterInc]

Fishwater. What octave of E are you at? Make sure you aint going to a real high E on the keyboard. There is no reason while it should break at a half a step above the A note. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif?
Nope...I don't even TOUCH that high e...too scary to even imagine (especially since the only other purpose I use the keyboard for is some vocal warm ups and once in a while to write a really bad musical composition lol). But No, I've been using the 3rd octave of E *nods* I don't know if that even made sense (though I try to be, I'm definitely not a very musical type).

And if you're serious MandoJer, I'll take up that offer. Maybe I can outsmart the e-string by having a supply of them WITHOUT the other strings (I have NO idea what I'm saying, folks).

[joshro78]

Fishwater,
Are you sure you're not tuning too high? If you tune by ear, try tuning the e string to the a string fretted at the 7th fret, forget the keyboard. IF it's breaking a half step above the A at the correct octave, you definitely have an equipment problem (nut, tuners, etc.) Definitely check those nut slots. Like Neal said, while you tune listen for squeaks or clicks, that's a good indicator.

[Tom C]

Maybe the bridge is not in the right place (too far to the tailpiece) where you have to get more tension to get up to tune because the scale is now longer. Make sure the distance from 1st fret to 12th fret is the same as 12th fret to bridge. Playing and E on the A string (7th fret) should have the same tone as the open E.
But I still say graphite if all looks well but it still happens.

[FishwaterInc]

Well, I can't exactly retune anything for the lack of e-string at the moment, but...I have to ask, does the fact that the strings kind of dig into the bridge effect this at all? Like is that a bad thing, or just a natural thing that happens to all bridges and I shouldn't be concerned?

[Michael Lewis]

If your strings are cutting into the saddle you should get a harder saddle. #It's possible to reinforce the saddle you have, but cleaner and easier to get a new one. When the strings cut down into the wood they can bind, which is quite possibly your original problem.