String Problem / Question

[mceh12]

I just recently bought a Michael Kelly Legacy Classic and I have been using Elixir light strings but for some reason every other time that I have played it the strings have been breaking. I have a Johnson F-style that I have owned since I started playing a few years ago and I also used Elixir light strings on that and never had this problem. So I am thinking that it isnt the way that I am playing and am wondering if it could be the strings or the mandolin itself. If it is the strings does anyone have any suggestions on what strings I could use that would solve this problem. Thanks.

[Michael Lewis]

It would help to know where the strings are breaking, ie. the bridge, the nut, the tailpiece, the string post. Also, the physical energy you put into the strings with your pick (attack) has a direct effect on this problem. In short the harder you pick the more likely you are to break strings.

[Stillpicking]

Light strings, if played hard can break easliy. It maybe that one mandolin has more tension on the strings than the other due to bridge height or perhaps the slots are binding on one. I kind of doubt that it is a slot problem as most light string sets are pretty thin but it might be worth taking a closer look.
I suggest that maybe you move up to a medium weight set of strings and see what happens.

[Steve G]

If they're breaking at the nut then perhaps more wraps around the post might help. I had the same problem once and someone suggested five wraps around the post. End of problem.

[JGWoods]

If they're breaking at the nut then perhaps more wraps around the post might help. I had the same problem once and someone suggested five wraps around the post. End of problem.
OK enlighten me- why does more wraps around the post stop strings from breaking at the nut?
best
gw

[Steve G]

GW,
That's a great question. I'll ask my repair guy since he's the one who suggested it. I just know that it worked me and someone else that had the same problem. This is not for guitar however, I only use one or two wraps on that. The posts on mando are a lot smaller so maybe it has to do with the bending of the string versus tention but thats just my speculation.