thomastik string breakage

[vcalcaterra]

I recently tried a heavier gauge (11-47) set of Thomastik flatwound guitar strings on my Mann 5 string mando. As I tuned the C (47) string up to pitch, it snapped at the tuner.

I ended up substituting a fresh Thomastik(44) for the broken 47.

Is there anything I can do to keep this larger gauge flatwound string from breaking?

thanks,
-vince

[JEStanek]

Talk to the folks who you got them from. They may send you a replacement. Can't hurt to ask. Most folks like to stand behind their product. you may want to double check your string guage and tension along with scale length to ensure you're using the best string gauge for that position. Here's Kennaquhair's.

Jamie

[vcalcaterra]

Talk to the folks who you got them from. They may send you a replacement. Can't hurt to ask. Most folks like to stand behind their product. you may want to double check your string guage and tension along with scale length to ensure you're using the best string gauge for that position. Here's Kennaquhair's.

Jamie

Thanks for the reply Jamie.

I've been using Thomastik guitar strings on my Mann mando. The light gauge
set (10-44) works quite well, but I wanted a little more girt so I tried the larger gauge. I'm pretty sure there is no problem with the strings except that
I am using them at a 13.75 scale length, which places the unprotected end
of the strings in the tuners. The low C string broke at the point where it
was bent right at the tuner. It looks like the larger gauge outer winding just came apart.

I was wondering if there is anything I can do in terms of preparing the string
or the tuner to keep these larger strings from breaking.

BTW: Thanks for the link to the gauge calculator. Unfortunately I don't use
any microsoft products, (Linux O/S) so I can't run it.

thanks again,
-vince

[mandroid]

those solid core?
my 5ths tuning with nylon strings had a similar breakage situation
using multi filament Bari Uke copper wound strings .. up to G broke ,
so I left them at F for a couple days , then went up to the higher pitch .

maybe backwinding it to take load off that sharp bend, do that for plain strings to keep them from slipping ?

. . . . . . .
one of my friends gave me his extra PC it has a few different operating system programs several O/S work on the same machine
at startup or restart, if I don't scroll down to the 98 or XP it starts and runs a Linux O/S.
[I mostly use an old G4-Mac]

[Ken Olmstead]

I have found that if you do not make sure that green clothy covering stuff at the tuner end of the string is not in the hole of the tuner, they are very prone to breaking. As long as the green stuff is where the string "breaks" out of the hole on the first wind, I have never had one break. I hope that is somewhat clear. It means more windings than necessary but worth it to me to not break those spendy strings!

[vcalcaterra]

I have found that if you do not make sure that green clothy covering stuff at the tuner end of the string is not in the hole of the tuner, they are very prone to breaking. As long as the green stuff is where the string "breaks" out of the hole on the first wind, I have never had one break. I hope that is somewhat clear. It means more windings than necessary but worth it to me to not break those spendy strings!

Ken,
Thanks for the reply and the suggestion.
My problem is that I have a 5 string mando and am using flatwound guitar strings.
Since the string is intended for an instrument with twice the scale of my mando,
I can't use the "ribbon" at all. The plane windings are in all the tuners for the
three bass strings (D, G, C). This works on the Thomastick light gauge, but
when I went to the medium (11) gauge, the low C string (low E guitar 47)
broke. I was looking for suggestions to prevent this so I could try this string.

thanks again,
-vince

[Ted Eschliman]

Vince, have you tried the D'addario Chromes for electric guitar? The flatwound construction is similar (a bit less expensive, too) but the gauging on the EGC23 is a tad different, especially on the D & G: 10 14 (20) 28 38 48.

[vcalcaterra]

Vince, have you tried the D'addario Chromes for electric guitar? The flatwound construction is similar (a bit less expensive, too) but the gauging on the EGC23 is a tad different, especially on the D & G: 10 14 (20) 28 38 48.

Hi Ted!

Thanks for the response.
I was just looking at D'addario Chromes because they have so many gauges.
Since the 47 is popping on my tuner, I was actually thinking about putting together
a custom set with:
11, 15, 24, 35, 45 as e through C.

I presently have a mixed set of Thomastiks on there with:
11, 15, 25, 35, 44

This works, but the low C responds differently from the G but I've played a
few gigs with them and they sound pretty good together.

I think that the low C is breaking due to the diameter of the string and that
45 might work.

-vince

[Ken Olmstead]

I use pieces of heat shrink tubing on my stratocaster where the string goes down into the bridge to keep the strings from breaking when the tremelo is used regularly. This is not my invention, Stevie Ray Vaughn used it for years on his guitars. I would consider trying it in the tuner as a possibility also. Just shooting from the hip!

[vcalcaterra]

I use pieces of heat shrink tubing on my stratocaster where the string goes down into the bridge to keep the strings from breaking when the tremelo is used regularly. This is not my invention, Stevie Ray Vaughn used it for years on his guitars. I would consider trying it in the tuner as a possibility also. Just shooting from the hip!

What a good idea!! That might just work.
I just received some more "C" strings so I guess a trip to Home Depot is in order.
When I've tried this, I'll report back with results.

thanks Ken,

-vince

[vcalcaterra]

I use pieces of heat shrink tubing on my stratocaster where the string goes down into the bridge to keep the strings from breaking when the tremelo is used regularly. This is not my invention, Stevie Ray Vaughn used it for years on his guitars. I would consider trying it in the tuner as a possibility also. Just shooting from the hip!

It worked, it worked!!! Yeah!!!

The .047 gauge low C is on there and it's solid.

Thanks a million Ken!!!
-vince

[Ken Olmstead]

Sweet! I'm glad I have something to offer more than a pretty face!!