Dean Markley Helix issues

[Red Man]

I love the sound of these strings, so full sounding, but I'm getting pissed of with them lately, I can't get a set to last 6 weeks without breaking at the bridge and I just had the same string again break tonight and I only put them on Thursday before last. Has anyone else had issues with them.

I've been using the SS 5 string 45-60-80-100-125 set, tuned CGCF (not using the 45). Also these strings have a tapered core.

I'm ready to throw the remaining sets of these in the bin, which is sad cause they sound amazing!

Grrrrr!

 

[Gorn]

Do you have an exceptionally aggressive attack? Have you played other taper core strings and had the same issue?

 

[Red Man]

I haven't played through other tapered core strings before but yes I do attack my strings from time to time

 

[mmbongo]

In another thread it was stated that Dean Markley recently closed down their string factory, so it's unclear if they now outsource their strings or what but it seems they have changed a lot of things.

 

[maurilio]

I love the sound of these strings, so full sounding, but I'm getting pissed of with them lately, I can't get a set to last 6 weeks without breaking at the bridge and I just had the same string again break tonight and I only put them on Thursday before last. Has anyone else had issues with them.

I've been using the SS 5 string 45-60-80-100-125 set, tuned CGCF (not using the 45). Also these strings have a tapered core.

I'm ready to throw the remaining sets of these in the bin, which is sad cause they sound amazing!

Grrrrr!

B up to C?
E up to G?
A up to C?
D up to F?

Which string/s did you break?

 

[Red Man]

Low b the .125

 

[Red Man]

And that's the same string bthar is repeatedly breaking

 

[JustForSport]

Haven't had any problem with them, tuning as they were meant to be-
Maybe you need to change gauges if you're tuning up...
Get some lighter gauged strings.

 

[Haji]

If its the same string breaking, check the string saddle for a burr.

 

[Red Man]

I have, there is no burrs also on closer examination of the broken string there are no cuts in the winding but instead the core is snapped cleanly, it's almost as if the core is not strong enough to handle to abuse I give it

 

[JustForSport]

Some saddles have a 'pointier' contact area than others and that can cause earlier core failure (than on those with a 'longer', more radiused contact patch) due to all of the flexing/vibration being focused on such a short length of the core- like bending a wire back and forth at exactly the same spot. If that's the type saddle you have, barring technique change, the options are to try different string type, or change the saddle type.

 

[Red Man]

The bass in question has a hipshot three point supertone bridge, which has rollers for saddles. It's getting obvious that the cores on these strings are brittle and can't handle my playing style

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

B up to C?
E up to G?
A up to C?
D up to F?

Which string/s did you break?

THIS... You are talking about strings that are probably going to have well over 50 pounds of tension on the 100 80 60 strings... The B string can handle it.

 

[maurilio]

Btw, I've been playing this helix ss for few weeks by now and I'm in love!

 

[jhfishn]

I had that years ago using DaDDario XL's with the G string. i couldn't get 2 days without it breaking.

I took a piece of emery cloth and just lightly rub it on the saddle and the entire problem was gone.

I never felt any bumps or burrs prior to the cloth but apparently my strings did LOL

But .... it worked

 

[JustForSport]

Use strings made for the tuning that you choose for each string.