What have I done? (and how do I fix it?)

[Geddy Claypool]

Okay, so I was stringing my SX Jazz up with a new set of Roto 66's, when I notice that the string guide seemed a little loose. So, I grabbed a screwdriver and tightened it up a little bit, trying to keep it as straight as possible so the strings went through as straight as possible as well.

So I tune up the E, then the A, but when I get to the D (the first string to use the string guide) I notice that the string isn't "naturally finding" the divots on the string guide, so I pop it in, and continue to tighten it up. But when I finally get close to the note, it snaps on me! I notice that the break was past the string guide, just about where the string first touches the tuning post.

So, thinking the Roto may have been defective, I grab an older Blue Steel I had and pop it in to test out the 66's (I've never used them before). After experiencing the same issue with the guide (the string not naturally finding the divots) the Blue Steel breaks as well, in exactly the same spot on the string.

Now, the G string tuned up just fine, despite the fact that it also goes through the string guide. I've ordered a replacement D on juststrings, but what am I doing wrong? And how can I prevent it from happening again?

PS. As a plus, the Rotosounds sound ****ing phenomenal.

[Geddy Claypool]

Bump. Please help me out, I don't want to lose another string to this issue.

[bassistgook]

By the string guide do you mean the nut? Or do you have a bass with a flat head where the string goes under a metal piece before the tuner like a fender? If you have the second one it is possible that the metal piece is catching on the string and causing a weak spot while tuning and as it gets to the tuning peg where it gets the most tension it's breaking.

[Jaco who?]

I think the proper term used is string tree, unless I'm reading this all wrong - Maybe it's supposed to be a little loose when there isn't a string, and when you tightened it, the string now rides on a burr near the edge of the "divot" instead of the smooth part. A picture of what's going on would help.

[Darkstrike]

Did the string tree twist any?

[Geddy Claypool]

Yeah, it's the circular metal piece on the headstock. I'm not sure pictures would help too much, as what's done is done and I don't have a picture of where it was at first.

Jaco, that definitely makes sense, I've just loosened it up a bit and the G seems to be going through even smoother. And no Darkstrike, I spent a good 5 minutes lining it and re-lining it up with the strings to make sure I didn't accidentally twist it.

[Darkstrike]

You could take it off, search for sharp edges, and file any you find down.

Me, I'd get one of these and call it good.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware..._for_Bass.html

[santucci218]

maybe before you put the string to its tension the string tree thing is damaging it and that is causing the break? check to see if the edges of it are real sharp. also, add a lot of extra slack around the D string so you get the wind coming off the very bottom of the tuning post. That way there is less angle on it and maybe it wont rub so hard.

[NWB]

My brother has experienced the same problem on an SX strat.

Like other poster have said, I'd suspect a rough-edged string tree.

[jeff62]

Originally Posted by NWB

My brother has experienced the same problem on an SX strat.

Like other poster have said, I'd suspect a rough-edged string tree.

I suspect that the string tree itself is not in the exact same orientation as it was prior to you re-tightening it. In the original orientation the bottom-side, where the strings were in contact with the tree, was probably smooth (from normal wear) and no problems were occurring. Now that it's in a slightly different orientation, a different (more abrasive) part of the tree is in contact with your strings.

As an example, maybe "12 o'clock" on the tree originally is now sitting at "2 o'clock". You should be able to tell by examining the underside of the tree.