Strings snapping on the jag

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 7:58 pm

Keeps happening and it's gettin' tired now...

they're snapping at the trem / ball end. I'm using Ernie Balls. Usually when I make a whole bend.(no jibes please)

Thought about filing the holes slightly but I reckon I could easily make it worse...

hmmmm....

any thoughts ?

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 9:49 pm

1 B & 2 E's (strings!!) in one day... that's bad !!

Gavin · Post by **Gavin** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 10:15 pm

Stop using Earnie Balls. They're shite.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 10:16 pm

Actually where the ball end goes through the tail piece part of the trem?
Sharp edges on the holes dude. You need a small circular needle file or wrap some emery cloth around a thin screwdriver and smoothen them edges!
Alternatively (this is a very old method!) solder the strings where the string wraps around itself so the winding cannot work loose or get damaged.

I would also try D'addarios

sonicmansuperb · Post by **sonicmansuperb** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:20 am

Gavin wrote:Stop using Earnie Balls. They're shite.

I like how the Slinkys feel on my Strat and Harmony Guitar. They are great, just not meant for Jaguar Tremolos.

Will · Post by **Will** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:30 am

Fran wrote:D'addarios

This.

Also, filing the edges of the holes is a good idea. You could also try to find some teflon tubing at a hardware store or some such place.

Post by **Doog** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:42 am

Yeah, I used to use Ernie Balls until they started popping left, right and centre. Try some D'Addarios, work great for me and loads of other guys on here.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:28 pm

elixr's for me, never had one problem with them snapping.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:30 pm

Shortscale is endorsed by D'addarios.

JamesSmann · Post by **JamesSmann** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:36 pm

i use elxir extended lifes on my acoustic electric, d'addario on my electrics and fenders on my basses. those are all FTW.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:50 pm

Mike wrote:Shortscale is endorsed by D'addarios.

I used to be a D'addario man but changed to Ernie Balls for a short trial and liked them... they seemed brighter & more chimey...

perhaps I should revert back.

I've picked up a roto sound single E... that may tell me if it's the guitar or the strings.

cheers
Owen

MaMo · Post by **MaMo** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:37 am

othomas2 wrote:
Mike wrote:Shortscale is endorsed by D'addarios.
I used to be a D'addario man but changed to Ernie Balls for a short trial and liked them... they seemed brighter & more chimey...

perhaps I should revert back.

I've picked up a roto sound single E... that may tell me if it's the guitar or the strings.

cheers
Owen

I'd still try Fran's solution about filing those holes a bit smoother. If the problem goes away after changing your string type that's great but its really more of a band-aid, isn't it?

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:34 am

I've already filed the holes previously with a needle nose.. but unless its done with some finer precision, you'll get angular sharp bits... not saying this is the case or why I'm having issues.

The Roto is holding up alright at the mo.

Gonna attach some fine sand paper to the point of a pen so create a smooth curve in the hole.

Dice · Post by **Dice** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:17 pm

Josh wrote:elixr's for me, never had one problem with them snapping.

Same. Elixer nanos - 11's - on all of my short scales. I've actually NEVER broken a string on my Jag/MM/Mustang (and I break them all the time on my Les Pauls).