Piccolo strings keep breaking? Dead D string within days

[Peeved T-40]

Is it a common problem for piccolo strings to be so fragile? Three sets of strings and three broken D strings within days of putting them on.

I have them on an Ibanez SR250 with a 34" scale length and I was wondering is the longer scale length might have somethin g to do with my problem? Maybe the tension of the long scale is just too much for them?

 

[michael_t]

Is it a common problem for piccolo strings to be so fragile? Three sets of strings and three broken D strings within days of putting them on.

I have them on an Ibanez SR250 with a 34" scale length and I was wondering is the longer scale length might have somethin g to do with my problem? Maybe the tension of the long scale is just too much for them?

What specific brand and model of strings are you talking about? And where does the D string break? At the saddle? At the tuner post?

 

[Peeved T-40]

What specific brand and model of strings are you talking about? And where does the D string break? At the saddle? At the tuner post?

They're D'Addario Piccolo Strings. 20-52

The first one I think broke at the saddle. The second broke while I was stringing it up near the nut and the third broke in the middle of the string

 

[michael_t]

They're D'Addario Piccolo Strings. 20-52

The first one I think broke at the saddle. The second broke while I was stringing it up near the nut and the third broke in the middle of the string

The D'A Piccolo strings are designed for the long scale (34"), so that shouldn't be the problem.

I was also thinking maybe there are some sharp edges on the hardware somewhere, but that doesn't seem to be the case, either.

 

[Peeved T-40]

The D'A Piccolo strings are designed for the long scale (34"), so that shouldn't be the problem.

I was also thinking maybe there are some sharp edges on the hardware somewhere, but that doesn't seem to be the case, either.

I had considered that as well but this last one snapped in the middle of the string

 

[ixlramp]

That D'Addario.032 is usually used for the C3 of a 6 string bass, a wholetone up at D3 in the piccolo set it is at a high tension of 50 pounds, and being a thin wound string it has a fairly small core wire. Should be practical but might need some care tuning up. Perhaps try initially tuning to C3, then tune up 1 semitone at a time at intervals of a few hours?
But, i am surprised by the breakage.

That set is unfortunately gauged to have the same tensions as a .105-.045 set in E1 standard (the gauges are halved). Perhaps so that customers do not have to adjust their truss rod.
But, i consider it a poor set design:
At the same actual tension, a smaller gauge actually 'feels' tighter, and is closer to its break tension due to thinner core wire.
Piccolo sets are more likely to be used for chords, soloing, bending, tapping, all of which require a lower tension.

Some other manufacturers have a better choice of gauges for lower tension, i suggest trying a set with lower gauges or, far better, develop your own optimised custom set by trial and error.

 

[michael_t]

That set is unfortunately gauged to have the same tensions as a .105-.045 set in E1 standard (the gauges are halved). Perhaps so that customers do not have to adjust their truss rod.
But, i consider it a poor set design:
At the same actual tension, a smaller gauge actually 'feels' tighter, and is closer to its break tension due to thinner core wire.
Piccolo sets are more likely to be used for chords, soloing, bending, tapping, all of which require a lower tension.

D'Addario EXL280 Piccolo Set:

G 020p - 40.8 lbs.
D 032w - 49.1
A 042w - 45.5
E 052w - 37.6 (173.0)

Idea for Custom Piccolo Set:

G 020p - 40.8 lbs.
D 028w - 39.8
A 040w - 42.5
E 052w - 37.6 (160.7)

 

[michael_t]

@Peeved T-40 ...

Do you live in the US? If so, you can get a single D'A XL Nickel 0.28w to try with the rest of the set you have. See [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].

 

[bassbrad]

My piccolo sets last for years and years - then again all my strings do. If you are having breakage I would check all the witness points for smoothness, proper angles and depth - that could also affect and effect the tone.

 

[sawzalot]

Hm I would do whole step bends on those D'Addarios without any breakage. I'm wondering if you have something preventing the string from moving or bending properly? Seems weird you'd see a break in the middle of the string though.