2nd DR String break

Ezmar · #1 01-06-2013, 11:01 PM

So A couple weeks ago, I put on a set of DR Hi Beams. The D string broke within a week, so I sent an E-mail to DR, and got a replacement, which I put on a couple weeks ago. I haven't been playing a whole bunch lately, and the D string just snapped again.

Both times it was the usual place, down at the bridge saddle. I can't see anything wrong with the saddle, and the strings I used before were just fine. The D string does break most often, I've found, but that's probably due to the fact that It's a middle string and lighter than the A. Anyway, is there any sort of explanation for this? I guess I could send another E-mail in, and get another replacement, although I'd feel a tad sheepish doing so. But I don't think it's necessarily a problem of getting bad strings... Any help/advice would be appreciated.

stepswork4me · #2 01-06-2013, 11:40 PM

Odd.... I've been using Hi Beams for around 20 years and have never had this problem. Sure I've broken a couple of strings but was doing some heavy handed pick playing at the time. What type of bridge?

Ezmar · #3 01-07-2013, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepswork4me

Odd.... I've been using Hi Beams for around 20 years and have never had this problem. Sure I've broken a couple of strings but was doing some heavy handed pick playing at the time. What type of bridge?

Stock Fender, circa 2005. It looks fine to me, and my usual Rotos lasted me as long as they usually do. I play hard and often, so my strings don't typically last too long anyway, but this is obviously not right. I just kind of want to see if I can figure out what's going on, rather than just getting new strings over and over again.

brentonkim · #4 01-07-2013, 12:13 AM

try filing the saddle a bit. they could be a little bit sharp. i had this problem a couple of months ago.

stepswork4me · #5 01-07-2013, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezmar

Stock Fender, circa 2005. It looks fine to me, and my usual Rotos lasted me as long as they usually do. I play hard and often, so my strings don't typically last too long anyway, but this is obviously not right. I just kind of want to see if I can figure out what's going on, rather than just getting new strings over and over again.

Definitely. I even broke low B's but not regularly. I love the Hi Beams but have never had any troubles.

Shinji · #6 01-07-2013, 12:25 AM

LOL ...sorry, I share your pain.
This is why i haven't used DR strings for 16 years now (that and they seem to die quickly)

Having said that I broke a B string from a pack of ernie ball slinkies one day after I put them on, 3rd song into a four hour rehearsal, the day before a really important gig. It was 2006 and in Australia the retail price of these strings was $120AU

I think it just happens sometimes as bad as it seems.

Shinji · #7 01-07-2013, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brentonkim

try filing the saddle a bit. they could be a little bit sharp.

...this may help your problem

ibnzneksrul · #8 01-07-2013, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brentonkim

try filing the saddle a bit. they could be a little bit sharp. i had this problem a couple of months ago.

This ^^^^

Ezmar · #9 01-07-2013, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brentonkim

try filing the saddle a bit. they could be a little bit sharp. i had this problem a couple of months ago.

How would I go about doing that? Shat would I use? It doesn't LOOK that sharp to me, being round and all, but I guess I probably wouldn't know for sure just by looking.

eriky4003 · #10 01-07-2013, 11:45 AM

I had a similar problem years ago only it was the G. I just used a metal file and rubbed it gently. There must have been a small metal flaw on the bridge which caused the string breakage.

stepswork4me · #11 01-07-2013, 11:51 AM

I'm guessing that your bridge looks like this.... One thing that can happen is that as it's strung the strings will drag across the saddles. This can cause burs.

Jay2U · #12 01-07-2013, 12:05 PM

If the broken D-strings are of a different gauge than the ones used before, they may press on the saddle at another spot, which could have a sharp edge.

Ezmar · #13 01-07-2013, 01:25 PM

Well, I'll try the file, I'm sure there's one lying around, and E-mail DR to see if I can get a second replacement. Hopefully it works.

SLaPiNFuNK · #14 01-07-2013, 05:26 PM

What gauge Hi-Beams are you using?

What tuning?

Brendan5 · #15 01-07-2013, 11:59 PM

Do hi beams have gold balls and no silks?

Ezmar · #16 01-08-2013, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

What gauge Hi-Beams are you using?

What tuning?

40 - 60 - 80 - 100

E A D G

Nothing out of the ordinary.

I took a file to my bridge, but I don't have another string yet. Hopefully that will have smoothed out any roughness. Although I can't say for sure.

Toptube · #17 01-08-2013, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepswork4me

I'm guessing that your bridge looks like this.... One thing that can happen is that as it's strung the strings will drag across the saddles. This can cause burs.

While I've always wondered, if metal/metal rubbing is highly dicouraged with strings, why didn't fender ever standardize an easy/top load bridge. Why weren't they pressured to by string makers and bass players?

Note, the following is not meant to be an attack or even directed toward anyone. Rather, it is meant more to be generally descended from the comments above:
I would be highly concerned with the design of the string, if a small bur from the outer wrap were enough to affect the integrity of a string. If that's the case, then I'd think people with Spectors would be breaking strings all the time. As they have a very sharp mount angle, and narrow contact point on their bridges.

stepswork4me · #18 01-09-2013, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toptube

While I've always wondered, if metal/metal rubbing is highly dicouraged with strings, why didn't fender ever standardize an easy/top load bridge. Why weren't they pressured to by string makers and bass players?

Note, the following is not meant to be an attack or even directed toward anyone. Rather, it is meant more to be generally descended from the comments above:
I would be highly concerned with the design of the string, if a small bur from the outer wrap were enough to affect the integrity of a string. If that's the case, then I'd think people with Spectors would be breaking strings all the time. As they have a very sharp mount angle, and narrow contact point on their bridges.

Not a bur on the wrap but a bur on the saddle that creates a pressure point, so to speak. Tradition, no matter how impractical, is difficult move away from. Just human nature.