Strings breaking at the saddle

[12stringer]

It's been hot and humid here and I have been playing outdoors and the strings have been breaking at the saddle...they were exps 80/20 lights...i have had them on my rosewood jumbo 12 string for about 5 months, so i guess they are trying to tell me something even though they still sound lively :lol: ... so I am wondering should I just get cheaper strings since they too will be exposed to the elements so to speak or use another set of exps...any suggestions?

So far the low D, Low G, Hi G, B have gone.
Last year I had the same brand of strings on but didn't have the breakage I am experiencing this year. Could it really be the weather?

 

[taabru45]

Well you might take a couple of pictures of the strings going over the saddle, sometimes the saddle is too 'sharp'. I'm sure there would be some good advice given here. I haven't had that problem with mine. But what a drag that must be.....
Rosewood Jumbo? Is this new? Maybe you are just 'breaking' it in. :lol: and what about that baby brother F112, still living at home? Steffan

 

[plaidseason]

Yes, definitely check the saddle for a sharp edge as well as indentations where the strings normally lay. Obviously there may be some indentation, but too much will definitely cause a problem. Another thing to note is that sometimes strings break at the saddle because they can't "give" anywhere else. So I'd also check the nut slots as well. Even if they are wide enough, I'd add some graphite (just take a pencil and "draw" in the slot) to lubricate the saddle slot.

That's all I've got!

-Chris

 

[12stringer]

Well you might take a couple of pictures of the strings going over the saddle, sometimes the saddle is too 'sharp'. I'm sure there would be some good advice given here. I haven't had that problem with mine. But what a drag that must be.....
Rosewood Jumbo? Is this new? Maybe you are just 'breaking' it in. :lol: and what about that baby brother F112, still living at home? Steffan

Hi Steffan
I will definitely have a look at the saddle for sharpness. The rosewood jumbo I have had for quite a while now ...it's a takamine copy of an F512 I bought from Starhopper (another LTG member)...the F112 has found a new home. Will try and post a picture of the saddle tonight.
Thanks for the advice,
Randy :wink:

 

[12stringer]

Yes, definitely check the saddle for a sharp edge as well as indentations where the strings normally lay. Obviously there may be some indentation, but too much will definitely cause a problem. Another thing to note is that sometimes strings break at the saddle because they can't "give" anywhere else. So I'd also check the nut slots as well. Even if they are wide enough, I'd add some graphite (just take a pencil and "draw" in the slot) to lubricate the saddle slot.

That's all I've got!

-Chris

Hi Chris...I will use a pencil in the nut slots and check the saddle for indentations...If there are indents, what's the best way to fix that? I know that filing is probably involved, but any things to watch out for is always appreciated.
Thanks,
Randy :wink:

You know, now that I think about it, The humidity may have flattened out the top a bit and caused the saddle to bite more into the strings (by rotating it up and back a bit)...if there was no give at the nut then it makes sense that the strings would start breaking at the saddle especially if the edge is sharp.

 

[12stringer]

Here are some pictures

Let me know what you think...Thanks,

 

[chazmo]

Randy, those strings are just getting worn out from the weather. You might try the Elixir anti-rust strings which have some sort of coated core wire I think, but I can't honestly say that I like 'em.

My strings never seem to break at the bridge/saddle. Maybe there is some edge to your saddle, but honestly I doubt it. Just looking at that corroded 11 string just makes it obvious that the weather is killing 'em.

Do you wipe 'em down after you play? That might help.

 

[gilded]

One of your B strings has cut into the Saddle, too....

 

[12stringer]

Randy, those strings are just getting worn out from the weather. You might try the Elixir anti-rust strings which have some sort of coated core wire I think, but I can't honestly say that I like 'em.

My strings never seem to break at the bridge/saddle. Maybe there is some edge to your saddle, but honestly I doubt it. Just looking at that corroded 11 string just makes it obvious that the weather is killing 'em.

Do you wipe 'em down after you play? That might help.

Hi Chazz...Those are EXP 80/20's so I was hoping the coating would help them last longer...they do still sound good (not dead). I see what you mean about the 11 string. I haven't been wiping down the strings (just the guitar) after playing...are you using just a dry rag to wipe them down?...sometimes i use a rag with some mineral oil on it to clean up the strings a bit.
Thanks for your info Chaz,
Randy

 

[12stringer]

One of your B strings has cut into the Saddle, too....

Hi Gilded,
I see what you mean and there was some crazy glue layered on the top of the saddle at the B strings as they were a hair too low...goes to show that crazy glue is not as hard as bone.

A new saddle was a possibility somewhere in the future but was put off until the guitar settled in...and that was quite a while ago now...

 

[chazmo]

Randy, I think the mineral oil could be contributing to the problem. I'm not at all sure, but I don't think that's the right stuff to clean your strings (I don't use anything but a dry rag, actually).

 

[Ross]

So far the low D, Low G, Hi G, B have gone.

You broke a D :shock: If thicker strings like the D & G are breaking, it's unlikely that the saddle is the culprit. There must be something out-of-the-ordinary going on.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

It's been hot and humid here and I have been playing outdoors and the strings have been breaking at the saddle...they were exps 80/20 lights...i have had them on my rosewood jumbo 12 string for about 5 months, so i guess they are trying to tell me something ...any suggestions?

Ihaven't been wiping down the strings (just the guitar) after playing...

Sometimes a rose is just a rose... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Playing outside in humid weather :!:
Not wiping down the strings :!:
Breaking after 5 months :!:

5 MONTHS :!: :?: :!:

What color was George Washington's white horse? :lol: :lol:

 

[Steelpickin']

One of your B strings has cut into the Saddle, too....

" there was some crazy glue layered on the top of the saddle at the B strings as they were a hair too low"

crazey glue is fine for a repair such as that but, you should mix it with some bone scrapeings for added strength

 

[taabru45]

It's been hot and humid here and I have been playing outdoors and the strings have been breaking at the saddle...they were exps 80/20 lights...i have had them on my rosewood jumbo 12 string for about 5 months, so i guess they are trying to tell me something ...any suggestions?

Ihaven't been wiping down the strings (just the guitar) after playing...

Sometimes a rose is just a rose... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Playing outside in humid weather :!:
Not wiping down the strings :!:
Breaking after 5 months :!:

5 MONTHS :!: :?: :!:

What color was George Washington's white horse? :lol: :lol:

Well, You are succinct. :lol: :lol: :lol: :!: Steffan

 

[taabru45]

It's been hot and humid here and I have been playing outdoors and the strings have been breaking at the saddle...they were exps 80/20 lights...i have had them on my rosewood jumbo 12 string for about 5 months, so i guess they are trying to tell me something ...any suggestions?

Ihaven't been wiping down the strings (just the guitar) after playing...

Sometimes a rose is just a rose... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Playing outside in humid weather :!:
Not wiping down the strings :!:
Breaking after 5 months :!:

5 MONTHS :!: :?: :!:

What color was George Washington's white horse? :lol: :lol:

 

[12stringer]

It's been hot and humid here and I have been playing outdoors and the strings have been breaking at the saddle...they were exps 80/20 lights...i have had them on my rosewood jumbo 12 string for about 5 months, so i guess they are trying to tell me something ...any suggestions?

Ihaven't been wiping down the strings (just the guitar) after playing...

Sometimes a rose is just a rose... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Playing outside in humid weather :!:
Not wiping down the strings :!:
Breaking after 5 months :!:

5 MONTHS :!: :?: :!:

What color was George Washington's white horse? :lol: :lol:

:lol: I guess I had my expectations set a tad too high for those coated exps...they way I play them I guess I am lucky to get 3 months... :wink: That being the case I am going to try a set of Martin light 80/20's and see how far they will go before losing tone.
And I will wipe them down from now on :lol: :lol:

 

[12stringer]

One of your B strings has cut into the Saddle, too....

" there was some crazy glue layered on the top of the saddle at the B strings as they were a hair too low"

crazey glue is fine for a repair such as that but, you should mix it with some bone scrapeings for added strength

Thanks for that valuable tip Steel...much appreciated