• From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2008-03-10
  • Posts: 165

Topic: Stratocaster string problem?

Hello everybody.

Im about to form my own blues trio (Finally) but what has been bothering me now is that when I bend my E string on my mexican made fender Stratocaster Classic 60's I usally brake it.

I got new strings on last thursday and now on wednesday when im bending some on the High E string I brake it. This has happend twice in a row.

It looks to me like the "knob" on my D'darrio string is like cutting the string or whatever...atleast its somewhere at the tremolo where the string brakes.

Anyone knows whats wrong?

  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

Check for sharp spots on the saddle or anywhere the string and the "ball end" of the string contact the guitar.

  • From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2008-03-10
  • Posts: 165

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

I did that. thanks for the tip

Seems like the small "hole" under the sadle is the sharp point because when i took the old string and checked where it ended it was just there...how do i like make it "less sharper" in that hole? :S

  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

I would try a nail file or some fine sand paper depending on where the sharp part is.

  • Registered: 2008-04-02
  • Posts: 671

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

What guage strings do you play and how far are you bending them? If the file thing dosen't work try a different brand of strings, or maybe a different guage.

Rock On and Keep the Faith

Jack Loves Patty Loves Joe
  • gsj
  • gsj
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  • From: North Essex, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-21
  • Posts: 2,149

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

Have to say that, from my experience, changing string gauge won't help. Don't try and fix it yourself with files....you could make it worse. Go see a good tech and let him sort it out for you.

Geoff

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • Registered: 2008-03-27
  • Posts: 297

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

this is an easy fix. it's probably a reeeeeeaaaaallllly small burr cutting the string. a few swipes inside the cavity with really light sandpaper would probably do the trick. Also get a graphite pencil and give that a few swipes inside of the cavity after the sandpaper to eliminate and smooth over any little sharpe edges. This will also make sure that there is not enough metal on metal contact on the string to make it break at that contact spot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EGOdbJ4sRM
  • From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2008-03-10
  • Posts: 165

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

I told my dad about the problem and he said that he would use really fine sandpaper to fix it and that he has done it before...He will do it for me next week. I hope it works smile

  • From: Pittsburgh
  • Registered: 2008-05-22
  • Posts: 261

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

Keep us posted.  This should be an easy- do it yourself- fix.  I replace all my saddles with String Savers.  They sound good and honestly, as much as I play, I have not broken a string in years.  I change them weekly but still...never a break (knock on wood).  The pencil thing works well in nuts that stick too.  The sandpaper, graphite will do the trick..just don't sand too much or it will cause another problem.

Good luck

DannyG's Website

10 Reply by gsj

  • gsj
  • gsj
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  • From: North Essex, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-21
  • Posts: 2,149

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

Yeah but the graphite is a temporary fix. The problem will occur again. Same as putting graphite in the top-nut, it doesn't solve the problem of a badly cut nut, it simply is a 'quick fix' to get you out of a tight spot at a gig.

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young

11 Reply by JohnTB (edited by JohnTB 2008-10-10 10:18:25)

  • From: Lancashire
  • Registered: 2008-02-26
  • Posts: 700

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

Dunno where I saw this but slipping rubber tubing over the string and resting it where the string cuts into the saddle (uno the little hole) 'should' prevent the issue re-occuring once you have fixed that burr.

  • From: N. Little Rock, AR.
  • Registered: 2007-03-02
  • Posts: 463

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

Yeah, the tips above are perfect!

    And yes, you can wrap the string with shrink wrap, or with scotch tape, to help it keep from breaking. But, the filing should work just fine. As well as the graphite. And, it helps to use a round file. You don't want a flat spot filed there.

    I also use graphite in the string slots of guitar nuts. It won't fix a badly cut nut. But, it does help reduce friction, and helps you to stay in tune, longer.

    Another thing that helps: Stretch your strings some, before playing too hard on them. They need to "loosen up" a little, before they get too much of a workout. Stretching them first, will help them to last a little longer.

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner
  • From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2008-03-10
  • Posts: 165

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

These Graphite things are confusing me... you mean to put graphite in the nut where the string go?

I broke my E string again.. last time i did it was this Wensday and Now on friday it broke again.

I let my dad use som fine sand paper in that hole and now im putting in a new string in there.

I always stretch new strings when since it helps them to keep in tune when they're new smile

I was also wondering. There should be something wrong with this right? Or do your High E string also break if you bend em some? :S

14 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2008-10-10 14:56:23)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

My strat has a graphite nut and graphite saddles. Stringsaver saddles or graph-tec....

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2008-04-02
  • Posts: 671

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

It is possible that you have a defective batch of e strings . Were they all purchased at the same time, same brand,same guage? I'd switch it up and see what happens.

Rock On and Keep the Faith

Jack Loves Patty Loves Joe
  • From: Sweden
  • Registered: 2008-03-10
  • Posts: 165

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

Well they are actually...
I bought about 5 sets at the same time...same gauge and brand.
Im going to buy new sets next week... And later on Ím gonna switch string gauge to 0.11.

17 Reply by vinceesquire (edited by vinceesquire 2008-10-11 07:21:17)

  • Registered: 2008-03-27
  • Posts: 297

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

Simon94 wrote:

Well they are actually...
I bought about 5 sets at the same time...same gauge and brand.
Im going to buy new sets next week... And later on Ím gonna switch string gauge to 0.11.

could be defective strings, but you should swap out the current saddles with string savers or another graphite saddle. Aside from the obvious, they produce a truer, more pure tone due to the fact that you don't hear any "sharpness" from metal to metal contact.

don't forget adjust your intonation if you go up a gauge in string size.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EGOdbJ4sRM
  • From: N. Little Rock, AR.
  • Registered: 2007-03-02
  • Posts: 463

Re: Stratocaster string problem?

Simon94 wrote:

These Graphite things are confusing me... you mean to put graphite in the nut where the string go?

I broke my E string again.. last time i did it was this Wensday and Now on friday it broke again.

I let my dad use som fine sand paper in that hole and now im putting in a new string in there.

I always stretch new strings when since it helps them to keep in tune when they're new smile

I was also wondering. There should be something wrong with this right? Or do your High E string also break if you bend em some? :S

Yeah, just use a pencil, and scrape the "lead" tip (really, it's graphite) across the edges of the string-slots on the nut. Some "lead" should fall into the slots. It also helps to do this on the bridge, where the strings pass over the edge of the holes in the bridgeplate.

   And if you do switch string gauges, you may have to have the nut slots re-cut for the larger diameter strings. Maybe not, but it depends on your particular nut, and which gauges are changing.

    I have a few friends who use the string-saver type saddles. And they LOVE them. I find that they seem to kill some of the attack of the notes. And they are not my cup of tea. Again, my friends who use them are really pleased with them. They're just not for me. So, if you can find a guitar with them, be sure to give them a try. You may love them.

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner