• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

New string broke while tuning

wemmick

wemmick

May 23, 2010
142
29
Washington, DC
www.facebook.com
#1
I changed the strings on my 5 string MIM Fender Jazz yesterday. When I was tightening the low B string, part of the string on the peg frayed. I'm pretty sure I was not over-tightening it.

The strings are Ernie Ball power slinky round wounds. The string that broke is a 135.

Is this common?

Can I buy a single string to replace this one it? Do I just need to buy another set?
 

Attachments

  • image-85534952.jpg
    image-85534952.jpg
    79.7 KB · Views: 617
#3
EB does sell single strings but on musicians friend I only saw a .130. You should contact EB or where ever you got the strings from and see if they can help you out. I had that happen on the E string on a set of sunbeams once and the guitar center that I got them from just replaced the set for me. But I have heard DR customer service was good. I'm not sure about EB's. Good luck.
 
#8
wemmick said:
I don't follow this. Can you elaborate?

Here's a photo of the posts for the two lowest strings. The one with the blue is my old B string which I replaced after the new one broke.
Click to expand...

They are obviously not the same kind of strings. Notice how the fattest part of the blue string does not go around the post? The fattest part cannot bend around the post, which is why it tapers down. Looks like the broken string broke as the fat part tried to bend.
 
#9
Definitely not the same kind of strings... however, I think that the fat part would've had to reach the post. Is there a way to identify which strings will or won't have a long enough tapered end.

Or perhaps, I just tightened it too far and I had inadvertently turned my B string into a C or C# string momentarily before it gave way.
 
#12
Ideally only the thinnest part of the B should contact the post. If the fatter sections are bent around the post it stresses the core. Looking at your photo, it failed at the point of tapering to full gauge. That tapering point needs to sit between nut and post and be well clear of the post due to stretch from tuning up.
 
#13
wemmick said:
Got a new string and it's on without fraying.

However, there's the tapered part ends right by the tuning peg as seen in the photo.

Is this a sign to [try] a different brand of strings?
Click to expand...
Yes, the winding length is too long, you may find the new string breaks or has tuning instability. Try D'Addario 'long scale', they have a fairly short winding length of 36 1/4". The winding length of a string is the distance from inner edge of ball to the start of taper / string silk at the opposite end of the string. For example see this PDF for Circle K Strings: Link Removed. For the 34/35" strings the winding length is 36.75".

Mark your B string at the headstock edge of the nut, remove the string. While pulling on it to straighten it a little measure the distance from the inner edge of the ball to the mark, call this distance X. You need a string with a winding length slightly longer than X, but not so much longer that the taper gets close to the post.
 
#15
Ploonter said:
I had this exact same thing happen to me, (same bass too), except it was Marcus Miller DR "Fat Beams". Also, it happened twice!
When I took them back to GC, they gave me another set, and the B broke again!
Click to expand...

It just happened to on my son's bass with the same bass and same strings. My guess is the tuner for the B string is a little closer to the nut on this 5 string bass. It's a real bummer as he was so excited to try these strings out and the first thing that happens is the B string breaks while he's tuning it up.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back