Problem with strings

[gdae85]

Hello Mandolincafe Forum dwellers!

Oye my problem: I have been having some trouble with my E strings lately as they seem to slip at the loop (see pictures). The thing is that once I put them in the mandolin, they work ok ... but hours later they start to slip and lower the pitch of the string. Then it just collapses (as seen on pics) doing horrible 'twang' .

The strings I am using are D'addario J62 80/20 Bronze.

What is wrong with these strings?

http://www.aventuraelitehomes.com/mandolin/100_0650.JPG

Thanks, Chris

[gdae85]

http://www.aventuraelitehomes.com/mandolin/100_0651.JPG

[gdae85]

See, it starts as the 'lower' E, the loop gets bigger ... then it collapses as the 'higher' E.

http://www.aventuraelitehomes.com/mandolin/100_0653.JPG

[gdae85]

http://www.aventuraelitehomes.com/mandolin/100_0655.JPG

[John Flynn]

The loop on your second (inner) E-string looks like a manufacturing defect. I would buy a single string and replace it. However, most strings will go flat over a period of hours the first 24 hours or so you put them on. You just keep tuning them up until they "stretch in" and then they are fine.

[jim simpson]

I don't think I've seen a string do this before. As previously stated, a normal period of stretching occurs and one will see the loop narrow with stretching. What kind of tailpiece is that? It looks like an improvement over the shark tooth stamped variety.

[Tom C]

Those posts look fat. Maybe the pull from a wider angle is the reason. What kind of mando is it? Maybe the type would lend itself better to other brand string better suited.

[mmukav]

I agree! Those posts look huge! They must have something to do with the strings unwinding. I've played for years and never had strings unwind like that! I'd consider replacing the tailpiece.

[Luthier Vandross]

I think it's a bad batch of strings.

Occasionally, 15 times in 20 years.. I've had the same problem, ususally happens until I've used up that batch, and I have replaced a ton of strings, literally.


M

[frets1]

Just a thought; take a small piece of felt or leather. Cut it to the width of your tailpiece and place it between your strings and the bottom portion of your tailpiece. I doubt this will have any effect on the particular string problem you mentioned, however, it is a great help with dampaning unwanted harmonics. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Jim Garber]

D'Addario is a good company. If you are haviung consistent problems, send a sample string back to them with details on the instrument, etc. I did that and they were very appreciative and want to improve their product.

On the other hand that tailpiece looks unsual, esp the fact that most mando tailpieces have the strings go at right angles over the end of the instrument. I have been using J62s for year and never had that particular problem.

Jim

[Martin Jonas]

I haven't seen this with D'Addario, but I had some Newtone strings where the loops on both e-strings became fully unwound when brought up to pitch. No breakage, just an open end of wire. These were ultra-light gauge (0.008), which really should be less prone to unwinding because of the low tension compared to heavier gauges. In the end, I just rewound the loop by hand and squeezed the last winding hard with a pair of pliers. After this, they tensioned up to pitch just fine and have stayed in tune ever since (about two months now).

Martin