Weird E string issue

[Mandolincelli]

I have my beater (a Rover Model 35-S A style) at work and I play in the basement at lunch. I changed my strings last year about this time and I play it at least 3 times a week for an hour or more (don't tell my boss ). Yesterday, I pulled it out to play and the first E string was waaaaaaaaaay flat (like in the Bb -B range). I started to tune it up and it was as if I were putting the string on for the first time. It slipped back down a couple of times as I tried to tighten it, but as I was tightening it back up for the last time I was worried the string woud break. I heard a snap sound that I would have figured was the sound of the string breaking but it didn't break. After that, it tightened up and held its tune.

I don't want to spend a lot of money on this mandolin that I paid $65 for 5 years ago. I would greatly appreciate your diagnosis and advice.

Thanks in advance for your counsel.

[Alyx Hanson]

Did you check that the loop is still holding? I had a similar thing happen to me a while ago, and it turned out the loop unraveled at the tailpiece. Once in a while you'll get a string with a faulty twist like that.

[multidon]

It sounds to me as if your string was slipping on its post. When you put the string on did you make sure to do one full turn above the string before doing the rest of the turns below the string? This locks the string onto the post and prevents it from slipping.

[Folkmusician.com]

This could have been one of the tabs snapping off the tailpiece.

[Mandoleeta]

I had a similar issue with my first Mandolin, a cheapy Ibanez. My teacher took the tail piece off and it never happened again. I have since bought an Eastman MD 315 and am much happier with it.

[Pete Jenner]

Change your strings mate ...geeez

[Mike Bunting]

Maybe the string just gave up the ghost because of old age.

[Jim Garber]

I think you should be able to afford the $5 or so for a new set of strings. If you still have problems, let us all know.